The R-1 visa is a nonimmigrant work visa designed for religious workers who wish to come to the United States to work in a religious capacity. This visa is available to ministers, as well as individuals in religious occupations, such as missionaries, religious instructors, or religious counselors, who are employed by a recognized religious organization in the U.S. To qualify for the R-1 visa, applicants must demonstrate that they have been a member of the religious denomi-nation for at least two years and will be working in a religious capacity for a U.S. employer. The application process begins with the U.S. employer or religious organization filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition must include evidence of the applicant's religious affiliation, the sponsoring organi-zation's legitimacy, and a description of the religious duties the applicant will perform.
Once USCIS approves the R-1 petition, the religious worker must apply for the R-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The process includes completing Form DS-160, paying the visa application fee, and attending a visa interview. If approved, the R-1 visa holder can enter the U.S. to work for an initial stay of up to 30 months. Extensions are available for an additional 30 months, with a maximum stay of five years in total. The R-1 visa allows the reli-gious worker to serve only the petitioning religious organization and requires that the religious duties be of a professional nature. Dependents, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, can accompany the R-1 visa holder under R-2 status, although they are not authorized to work in the U.S.
The R-1 visa does not directly lead to permanent residency, but some religious workers may later apply for an employment-based Green Card under certain categories. The visa allows religious workers to serve in their faith communities while temporarily residing in the U.S. Due to the specialized nature of religious work, applicants and their sponsoring organizations should work with an immigration attorney to ensure they meet all the requirements and submit a strong peti-tion.
