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R-1 Visa – Religious Workers

What is a R-1 visa?

The R-1 nonimmigrant visa allows religious workers, ministers, and workers in religious vocations to seek work with a religious organization in the United States. Qualifying individuals must be a member of a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the U.S. for at least two (2) years before filing the petition.

Eligible religious workers include:

  1. Ministers of Religion
    • Authorized by the denomination to conduct religious worship and perform other duties typical of the clergy of that religion.
  2. Professionals employed in a Religious Vocation or Occupation
    • Applicants must be coming at the request of the organization.
    • An activity that requires at the minimum a US baccalaureate or the foreign equivalent, such as religious teaching and scholarship.
  3. Others working in a Religious Vocation or Occupation
    • Applicants must be coming at the request of the organization.
    • Includes nuns and monks, but not janitors or clerks.

Applying for an R-1 visa

The employer must file a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, including evidence of eligibility, on the worker’s behalf.

Period of Stay

The maximum time in the U.S. on an R-1 classification is five years. After two years, the visa can be converted to a green card. Spouses and children of R-1 foreign nationals are also permitted to reside in the U.S. under an R-2 classification.

Can my family accompany me?

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age are eligible to apply for R-2 classification. Work authorization is not available for R-2 status dependents.

For more information about R-1 or R-2 visa, give us a call at 214-251-8011 (Dallas, TX) or 817-332-1100 (Fort Worth, TX), or schedule your next appointment online here.