Religious Workers (R Visas)

Religious Workers (R Visas)

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Temporary religious worker (R-1) visas are for persons who want to enter the United States to work temporarily in religious capacities.

As a Temporary Religious Worker, You Must:

• be a member of the same religious denomination as the religious organization you plan to work for in the United States for at least two years before that organization files a petition on your behalf;
• be coming to work as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation in the United States;
• be employed by a non-profit religious organization in the United States (or an organization affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States); and
• work at least part time, an average of at least 20 hours per week.

Petition Approval

Before you can apply for a temporary religious worker visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, must be filed on your behalf by a prospective employer and approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For more information about the petition process and eligibility requirements, see Working in the U.S., Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers, and R-1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers on the USCIS website. USCIS will notify your prospective employer about the petition approval or denial, by sending a Notice of Action, Form I-797.

Important Notice: USCIS recently published revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. The revised Form I-129 is labeled with an Oct. 23, 2014, edition date. You can download the revised form and details about who may file Form I-129 from the USCIS forms website. Starting on May 1, 2015, USCIS will accept only the Oct. 23, 2014, edition of Form I-129. USCIS will not accept previous editions of Forms I-129 (edition dates: Oct. 7, 2011, Jan. 19, 2011, and Nov. 23, 2010) on or after May 1, 2015.

How to Apply

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply.

Complete the Online Visa Application

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing the DS-160. You must:
  1. complete the online visa application and
  2. print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Schedule an Interview

While interviews are generally not required for applicants of certain ages outlined below, consular officers have the discretion to require an interview of any applicant, regardless of age.

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early.

Gather Required Documentation

• Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States, unless exempt by country-specific agreements (PDF - 57 KB). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
• Receipt Number for your approved petition as it appears on your Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797, from USCIS.
• Additional Documentation May Be Required

  Review the instructions on how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified.

  All visa applicants, except H-1B and L, will generally need to show proof of compelling ties to your home country to demonstrate your intent to return after your temporary stay in the United States. Examples of compelling ties include:

  • A residence abroad which you do not intend to abandon
  • Your family relationships
  • Your economic situation
  • Your long term plans

We will be happy to clarify all intricacies of these cases. Please contact us for more information.

Web Resources

• Immigration Laws and Regulations, USCIS Website
• Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) Regulations
• Nonimmigrant Classifications and Types of Visas
• Immigrant Classifications and Types of Visas
• When to contact Department of State vs. Department of Homeland Security
• FAQs About Visas

Visa Categories

B-E

• Visitors (B Visas)
• Treaty Traders (E-1 Visas)
• Treaty Investors (E-2 Visas)

F-H

• Students (F Visas)
• Professionals (H-1B Visas)
• Temporary Workers (H-2B Visas)
• Trainees (H-3 Visas)

J-P

• Exchange Visitors (J Visas/Waivers)
• Fiancees of US Citizens (K-1 Visas)
• Spouses of US Citizens (K-3 Visas)
• Intracompany Transferee (L-1 Visa)
• Extraordinary Ability (O Visas)
• Athletes/Entertainers (P Visas)

R-U

• Religious Workers (R Visas)
• Victims of Human Trafficking (T Visas)
• Crime Victims (U Visas)