R-1 (Temporary Religious Workers)

An R-1 is a foreign national who is coming to the United States temporarily to be employed by a non-profit religious organization in the United States (or an organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States). An R-1 must be entering the U.S. to work as a minister, a religious vocation, or a religious occupation.

Requirements

The requirements for the R-1 classification are as follows:

• The applicant must be a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S.;
• The religious denomination and its affiliate, if applicable, are either exempt from taxation or qualifies for tax-exempt status; and
• The applicant has been a member of the denomination for two years immediately preceding applying for religious worker status. The applicant is planning to work as a minister of that denomination, or in a religious occupation or vocation for a bona fide, non-profit religious organization (or a tax-exempt affiliate of such an organization).There is no requirement that individuals applying for "R" visas have a residence abroad that they have no intention of abandoning. However, they must intend to depart the U.S. at the end of their lawful status, absent specific indications or evidence to the contrary. The applicant has resided and been physically present outside the U.S. for the immediate prior year, if he or she has previously spent five years in this category.

Period of Stay

An R-1 status may be granted for an initial period of admission for up to 30 months.  An extension of an R-1 status may be granted for up to an additional 30 months.  The total stay in the United States in an R-1 status cannot exceed 60 months (5 years).

Family of R-1 Visa Holders

R-1 worker’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be eligible for R-2 classification.  The dependents of an R-1 worker may not accept employment while in the United States in R-2 status.