R-1 Religious Worker Visa

What is an R-1 visa?

The R-1 visa lets a foreign religious worker come to the United States temporarily to work for a nonprofit religious organization — a church, parish, diocese, synagogue, temple, mosque, or affiliated ministry. It covers ministers and priests as well as people in other religious vocations and occupations, such as religious brothers and sisters, cantors, catechists, and lay workers whose duties are genuinely religious.

Who qualifies?

• The worker has been a member of the same religious denomination for at least two years before the petition is filed.

• They're coming to work at least part-time (on average, 20 hours a week or more).

• The employer is a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S. (or an affiliate of one).

• The work is religious in nature — as a minister, or in a religious vocation or occupation.

One thing that surprises people: with an R-1, the organization is the one that files the petition, not the worker. So a parish or ministry bringing someone over is my client just as often as the individual is.

How long does it last?

An R-1 is granted for up to 30 months at first and can be extended to a total of five years. Expect USCIS to sometimes visit the organization in person to confirm everything is legitimate — that's routine, and preparing you for it is part of my job. If the goal is to stay permanently, there are options worth discussing once you're here; I can walk you through what fits.

What I do for you

I represent both religious organizations and the workers they're bringing over. I prepare and file the petition, assemble the evidence about the organization and the position, get you ready for a possible site visit, and handle extensions down the road. Twenty-five years of immigration work, for clients anywhere in the country, entirely online. Filipino spoken.

How much does an R-1 visa cost?

My fee is approximately $4,000, plus the government's filing fees. Low, predictable fees, with discounts in some situations — just ask.