• R-1 visas are for foreign nationals coming to the U.S. to work for a non-profit religious organization as a minister or in another religious occupation.
• Prospective employers may petition for an employee’s R-1 visa by filing a Form I-129.
• R-1 visa holders may stay in the U.S. for up to five years with an extension.

R-1: Temporary religious workers

An R-1 visa holder is a foreign national who is coming to the U.S. temporarily as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation to be employed, at least part time (average of at least 20 hours per week), by a non-profit religious organization in the U.S. (or an organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination in the U.S.).

To qualify, the foreign national must have been a member of a religious denomination that has a legitimate non-profit religious organization in the U.S. for at least two years immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

Employer responsibilities

Every petition for an R-1 worker must be filed by a prospective or existing U.S. employer through the filing of a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. An R-1 visa cannot be issued at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad without prior approval of Form I-129 by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the foreign national is visa-exempt (e.g., Canadian), then the original Form I-797, Notice of Action, reflecting an approval of a valid I-129 R petition at a port of entry must be presented. There are certain general requirements which must be satisfied by the petitioning organization as well as by the religious worker (the beneficiary of the petition).

The petitioning employer must submit Form I-129 including the R-1 Classification Supplement signed by the employer as well supporting documents.

Length of stay

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 U.S. in an R-1 status cannot exceed 60 months (five years).

Family of R-1 visa holders

The spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of R-1 workers may be eligible for R-2 classification. Dependents of an R-1 worker may not accept employment while in the U.S. in R-2 status.