R1 Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the R1 Visa

The R1 visa presents an excellent opportunity for people seeking to perform religious work in the United States but fear of complex immigration system and policies often prevent them from moving forward. Alina Kats is an experienced immigration attorney and knows US immigration policies really well. She begins by confirming your eligibility for this visa category and focuses on organizing documentation and evidence to strengthen your case. She understands what the USCIS seeks and guides you through the interview to help you overcome any problems. With Alina Kats, you can look forward to serving your religious mission in the US legally, and even securing a future here if you want.  

The R1 visa is specifically for those involved in religious roles such as ministers, missionaries, trained members of clergy, and other people carrying out customary religious functions. It gives them a chance to come to the US temporarily to work in a religious occupation or vocation. This visa comes with specific criteria that must be fulfilled by the applicants.

Read on to learn more about the R1 visa to determine if this is the best option for you and what you can do to secure R1 status successfully.

What is an R1 Visa?

The R1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international religious workers to enter the US to pursue religious work. It enables religious workers to serve qualifying, non-profit religious organizations or a church for a maximum period of five years. The organizations must be registered and tied to any religious denomination in the US or a religious organization with a group tax exemption.

It is important to note that only ministers and those who are directly linked to the religious work are qualified for this visa such. This includes nuns, monks or others who take undertake a lifetime vow and perform duties that deal with traditional religious functions that relate to faith on a fundamental level. Administrative and clerical staff or any support personnel do not qualify for R1 visa and must apply through other visa categories.

Benefits of R1 visa

Legal Permit to Work In the US

This visa allows you to live and work in the US legally in a religious occupation. You can perform religious duties that include preaching, teaching, and missionary related to your faith.

Long-Term Stay

The visa is initially granted for 2.5 years, but can be extended.  Under R1 visa status, you can stay in the US for up to 5 years.

You Can Bring Your Family

Your spouse and children under 21 can accompany you on R2 status. While they are not allowed to work in the US, they can go to school and participate in other activities.

A Chance to Become a Permanent Resident

If you choose to live in the US, you can apply for a green card under the EB-4 Special Immigrant Religious Worker category and become a permanent resident.

Travel in and Out of the US

With a valid R1 visa, you can travel internationally and re-enter the US as and when you want. It is the best option for religious workers involved in international missions or training.

A Chance to Work With Religious Organizations

R1 visa gives you a chance to serve in official nonprofit religious organizations in the U.S, including churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or mission groups.

Respect and Recognition

This is the bonus benefit of the R1 visa. Your religious efforts and services are recognized, and you get a dedicated pathway for performing spiritual and humanitarian duties.

Eligibility Criteria for R1 Visa

Here is the list of requirements that the applicants must fulfill to secure an R1 visa:

• They must be a member of a religious denomination for at least two years before the time the application is submitted.
• They should find a job in a non-profit religious organization or an organization that is affiliated with that religion.
• They should be a minister or someone who is working directly in the religious occupation or vocation, have full authority granted by a religious denomination and conduct religious worship and other duties.
• They should commit to working at least 20 hours per week.
• They should not hold any other position except the one that is related to their religious capacity.
• The religion must have a non-profit organization in the US with its Internal Revenue Service letter of 501(c)(3), group tax exception and affiliation with a religion that has tax exemptions under 501(c)(3) rules or other IRS codes that does not make it a religious organization by definition.
• They should have someone to sponsor them, make a request for them and fill out the Form I-129, or it could be multiple qualifying employers as long as each employer submits a separate petition with USCIS with the required documents.

How Long Does It Take to Process an R1 Visa?

The process to apply for R1 visa starts with the U.S. employer filing the Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. It takes around 6 months for USCIS to respond as they need to run a background check for the organization. After the petition is approved, it may take another 2 to 3 months for the visa to process. Overall, it could take at 8 to 9 months for visa to process.

Premium processing is available for an extra fee, which can result in a quicker response.

You will have to provide the following evidence with the petition:

• A letter of support
• Job description and duty chart with percentage of time for breakdown of certain duties
• A current and valid letter from the IRS that shows the organization is exempt from tax
• Evidence of funding for compensation that can be demonstrated through previous records and budgets
• Documents that confirm the religious nature and purpose of the organization, including books, brochures, flyers, and other religious literature

In case the religious worker is self-supporting, they may need to provide the following evidence:

• Proof that the position is part of an established, international missionary program sponsored by the denomination
• Previous R1 recipients
• Proofs that missionary workers are uncompensated
• Proof of formal training for missionaries
• Proof that such missionary work is part of religious development in this denomination
• Detailed job description

Religious worker’s bank records and other financial documents that show sources of support. After reviewing the religious worker’s petition and documents, the consulate or embassy will decide on their visa status.

Read more: Seeking Protection: How the U.S. Asylum Process Works

R1 Visa Adjustment

The R1 is a dual-intent visa. It means an R1 holder can pursue other options, including immigrant visa options.

They can also go for non-immigrant visa options like the H-1B, F-1, and employment-based immigrant categories such as EB-2 and EB-3. Thus, their visa status can change without the issue of intent affecting their stay in the US.

More about H-1B Visa Journey

Religious workers who do not qualify for employment under other visa categories may find that R1 is a good option for them. An immigration attorney can make a big difference when applying for an R1 status, as they know everything regarding its detailed requirements, high-level scrutiny from US authorities, and processing. Call Kats Immigration Law and schedule a consultation with Alina Kats to learn how you can navigate this unique visa category and achieve your goals. Alina offers expert advice on overcoming the challenges and offers the best guidance, taking into account the nature of your work and lengthy processing times.