R1 Religious Worker Visa
Overview: What is a R1 Religious Worker Visa?
R-1 Religious Worker Visas are nonimmigrant visas which permit foreign nationals to come to the United States temporarily to be employed at least part-time (average of at least twenty hours per week) by a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States (or a bona fide organization that is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States) to work as a minister or other religious worker.
Examples of religious workers include, but are not limited to:
- Nuns;
- Monks; and
- Religious brothers and sisters.
Eligibility: Who Qualifies for as a R1 Religious Worker?
To qualify as a R1 Religious Worker, a foreign national must be coming to the United States temporarily to be employed at least part-time (average of at least twenty hours per week) by a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States (or a bona fide organization that is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States) to work as a minister or other religious worker.
Required Documents: What Documents are needed for Religious Worker Visa?
R-1 Religious Worker Visa petitions must be filed with:
- A currently valid determination letter from the IRS regarding the employing organization’s tax-exempt status;
- Employer Attestation, which is part of the R-1 Classification Supplement to Form I-129;
- Verifiable evidence of how the employer intends to compensate the beneficiary, including salaried or non-salaried compensation;
- Evidence that the foreign worker has been a member in the religious denomination during at least the two years immediately preceding the filing of the petition; and
- Evidence to establish the foreign worker is qualified to perform the duties of the offered position.
If a religious organization is seeking to fill a minister position, the foreign worker must provide a certificate of ordination as well as evidence that they meet the qualifications as a minister in the religious denomination.
R-1 Religious Worker Visa petitions may be rejected or denied for failure to submit required evidence or supporting documents. All required evidence should be submitted with the initial petition.
Petition Process: How to Apply For Religious Visa in USA?
To apply for a Religious Visa in the USA, a religious organization files Form I-129, with attestation, along with:
- A currently valid determination letter from the IRS regarding the employing organization’s tax-exempt status;
- Employer Attestation, which is part of the R-1 Classification Supplement to Form I-129;
- Verifiable evidence of how the employer intends to compensate the beneficiary, including salaried or non-salaried compensation;
- Evidence that the foreign worker has been a member in the religious denomination during at least the two years immediately preceding the filing of the petition; and
- Evidence to establish the foreign worker is qualified to perform the duties of the offered position.
If the religious organization is seeking to fill a minister position, the foreign worker must provide a certificate of ordination as well as evidence that they meet the qualifications as a minister in the religious denomination.
Costs: How Much Does a R1 Religious Worker Visa Cost?
Costs of R-1 Religious Worker Visas vary depending on a variety of circumstances.
R-1 Religious Worker Visa costs generally include:
- $460 – Form I-129 Filing Fee;
- $1,500 – Form I-907 Premium Processing Fee; and/or
- $190 – Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee.
Processing Time: How Long Does it Take to Get A R1 Religious Worker Visa?
R-1 Religious Worker Visas are processed at varying speeds depending on a variety of circumstances. Visit the USCIS Processing Times website for the most up-to-date information:
- Form: I-129 | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
- Field Office or Service Center: California Service Center
- Click “Get Processing Time”
- Click “+ Read All Lines”
- Form Type: R – Religious occupation
Religious Organization Lawyer
If you would like to know more about how to apply for a R1 Religious Visa in USA, contact Lally Immigration Services, LLC. Our religious organization lawyer, Dayna Lally, is happy to discuss the R1 Religious Worker Visa process, requirements, and costs.
Disclaimer: This blog article is provided by Lally Immigration Services, LLC for informational and marketing purposes. This article does not constitute legal advice nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. No reader should act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of any information presented in this article, or elsewhere on this website, without seeking the advice of appropriate legal counsel, or other professional counsel, licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Lally Immigration Services, LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability with respect to any actions taken, or not taken, based on any content of this article or website. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Last Reviewed/Updated: 09/08/2021
