R-1, Religious Workers

The R-1 visa enables religious workers to enter the United States for five years or less. Religious workers include individuals authorized by a recognized employing entity to conduct religious worship and to perform other duties usually performed by authorized members of the clergy of that religion, and workers engaging in a religious vocation or occupation. The religious worker needs to demonstrate that he/she is coming to the United States solely to carry on the vocation of a minister of the religious denomination, to work for the U.S. religious organization in a professional capacity, or to work for the U.S. religious organization in a religious vocation or in a religious occupation. An applicant may qualify for a R-1 visa if the following requirements are met

• The applicant is a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S.
• The religious worker has been a member in the religious organization for the 2 years immediately preceding the time of his or her application for admission;
• The religious worker’s stay in the U.S. will not exceed 5 years and must intend to depart the United States at the end of their lawful status, absent specific indications or evidence to the contrary
• The religious denomination and its affiliate, if applicable, are exempt from taxation, or the religious denomination qualifies for tax- exempt status (such as 501(c)(3)); and
• The applicant has resided and been physically present outside the United States for the immediate prior year if he or she has previously spent five years in this classification. The R1 visa is initially valid for three years and may be extended for an additional three years.