Temporary Nonimmigrant Work Visas

A nonimmigrant visa grants you temporary stay in the United States. When your visa expires, you must leave the United States unless you apply for Legal Permanent Residency.

The R-1 Religious Workers visa is for individuals employed by a bona fide nonprofit religious organization as a minister or in a religious occupation.

What is the R-1 Visa?

The R-1 visa is a temporary nonimmigrant work visa for religious workers coming to the United States to work for a qualified religious organization.

This includes ministers and individuals working in religious vocations or occupations.

R-1 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an R-1 visa:

• Must work at least part-time as a minister or in a religious vocation
• Must work for a nonprofit religious organization
• Must be a member of a religious denomination
• The organization must be a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States
• The membership must exist for at least 2 years before filing the petition

Duration of Stay

• Initial validity: up to 30 months
• Extension: up to an additional 30 months
• Maximum stay: 5 years (60 months total)

Family of R-1 Visa Holders

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany R-1 visa holders under R-2 classification.

R-2 dependents are not authorized to work in the United States.

Total Dedication

Whether your immigration concern involves an R-1 religious worker visa or another matter, you can rely on our experience and dedication.

Our immigration law firm assists with green cards, citizenship, marriage-based adjustment, work visas, deportation defense, asylum, and other immigration matters.

We also assist employers and professionals with H-1B visas, H-2B visas, B-1 business visas, student visas, and O-1 extraordinary ability visas.