Religious Visa – R1 Visa for Religious Workers and R2 Visa for Dependents
- Eligibility. You are a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S.;
- Dependents. Spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 years can get an R2 visa to accompany or join the principal applicant for the duration of the R1 visa.
- Duration. ...
- Visa Ineligibility and Waiver. ...
How do I get a religious visa?
The first step toward a religious worker immigrant visa is to file a petition. You or your prospective U.S. employer must file a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How long does a religious visa last?
The R1 visa is for religious workers who want to work in a religious organization in the United States for a maximum period of 5 years.
What is religious visa UK?
You can apply for a Minister of Religion visa (T2) if: you've been offered a job within a faith community (for example as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order) in the UK. you meet the other eligibility requirements.
What is the US visa code for a religious worker?
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 101(a)(15)(R) provides a nonimmigrant visa category "R" for individuals seeking to enter the United States to work in a religious capacity on a temporary basis.
How much does a religious visa cost?
File the Petition To start the process, religious employers must fill out Form I-129: Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker. This documentation costs $460, which must be paid by the employer, and requires proof of tax exemption.
Can a church sponsor an immigrant to US?
Answer. Churches are able to apply for certain types of visas for people who are employed in a religious vocation. In fact, churches can even apply for an employee to get a green card and become a permanent resident of the United States.
How do I get a religious working visa for UK?
you want to do religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order. you meet the other eligibility requirements....What you can and cannot dostudy - for some courses you'll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship.More items...
Who is a religious worker?
A religious worker is a person engaged in and, according to the denomination's standards, qualified for a religious occupation or vocation, whether or not in a professional capacity, or as a minister.
What is a missionary visa?
A Missionary Visa is one of the 18 types of visa issued by the Government of India to people seeking to enter the country for religious reasons, or to those willing to join a foreign organization in India doing Government of India approved missionary work.
Can you work on a religious visa?
When you have a religious vocation or profession, or are a religious worker coming temporarily to be employed, with your salary paid by a non-profit religious organization in the United States, the visitor visa is not permitted, and you must have a religious worker (R) visa or other work visa.
How much does an R-1 visa cost?
Applying for an R1 Visa will be $180. Paying this fee will ensure that you can proceed with the rest of the application, but there might be other fees involved. It all depends on what country you're coming from. There could also be a filing fee of $460.
How can I immigrate to USA without a job offer?
Some permanent work visas that do not require a job offer and a sponsor in the United States are the EB-1, O-1 and EB-5 visas.
How can a religious worker get a green card?
To qualify for a green card as either a member of the clergy or a religious worker, the applicant must be able to show membership for at least the past two years in the religion. During those two years, the applicant must have been employed continuously (though not necessarily full time) by that same religious group.
What kind of visa do missionaries need?
For the missionary seeking to stay long-term, they will need to enter the country under a work permit which allows them to stay for longer periods of time. Work permits are acquired by the employer of a company for an international employee.
How long does an R-1 visa last?
We may grant R-1 status for an initial period of admission for up to 30 months and subsequent extensions for up to an additional 30 months. Your total period of stay in the United States in R-1 classification cannot exceed five years (60 months).
How much does R-1 visa cost?
Applying for an R1 Visa will be $180. Paying this fee will ensure that you can proceed with the rest of the application, but there might be other fees involved. It all depends on what country you're coming from. There could also be a filing fee of $460.
What is a religious worker?
Religious workers include ministers of religion who are authorized by a recognized denomination to conduct religious worship and to perform other duties usually performed by members of the clergy, such as administering the sacraments, or their equivalent. The term does not apply to lay preachers.
What are the two types of religious workers?
Workers in a Religious Vocation or Occupation Includes the Following 2 Types of Workers: Professional Workers are the persons that want to work in a religious vocation or occupation that requires a U.S. bachelor degree or its foreign equivalent. Other Religious Workers are the persons that are working in a religious vocation or occupation.
How long can a religious worker work in the US?
for a period up to 5 years and eventually apply for a green card for permanent residence. Religious workers include ministers of religion who are authorized by a recognized denomination ...
What is a religious denomination?
A religious denomination generally should have a formal code of doctrine and discipline, religious services and ceremonies, some form of ecclesiastical government, a recognized creed and form of worship, religious congregations, and established places of worship. However, if an interdenominational religious organization is tax-exempt, it also may be treated as a religious denomination.
What is the activity of a lay person who will be engaged in a religious occupation?
The activity of a lay-person who will be engaged in a religious occupation must relate to a traditional religious function: i.e., the activity must embody the tenets of the religion and have religious significance, relating primarily , if not exclusively, to matters of the spirit as they apply to the religion.
What are some examples of religious occupations?
Examples include nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters. A religious occupation means a habitual engagement in an activity which relates to a traditional religious function. Examples include liturgical workers, religious instructors or cantors, catechists, workers in religious hospitals, missionaries, religious translators, ...
How long can I extend my R visa?
To extend the R visa for 2 more years after initial 3 years, you have to file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker to apply for an extension of stay. Your accompanying spouse and dependent children must file Form I-539 .
What is a temporary religious worker visa?
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.
What is the purpose of a visa interview?
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: 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 ).
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview, generally, at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your place of permanent residence.
What happens if you try to get a visa?
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa application or denial of entry into the United States.
What is evangelical tour?
counterparts; or. Members performing missionary or voluntary service for a denomination, such as to aid the elderly or needy.
How long do you have to be a temporary religious worker?
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;
What is an R-1 visa?
A R-1 visa is a type of visa for people who are seeking to enter the United States to work in a religious capacity on a temporary basis as it is defined in The immigration and Nationality Act. Religious workers include people who are cleared by a recognized entity to conduct religious worship and undertake duties usually performed by authorized members of the clergy of that religion. The visas also can be used by workers engaging in a religious vocation or occupation.
How long do you have to be a religious worker?
In order to be qualified as a religious worker you must be a member of your denomination for two years immediately prior to your application for religious worker status. You must be planning to work as a minister of your denomination, or in a religious occupation vocation for an approved nonprofit religious organization. If you’ve spent five years with this church, you must have resided and been physically present outside of the U.S. for the year before the application.
How long do you have to be a member of the same religious denomination before you can work in the US?
Be a member of the same religious denomination as the religious organization they plan to work for in the US for at least two years before the organization petitions them to come to the US. Be coming to the US to work as a minister, religious vocation or occupation in the United States.
How long is a visa valid?
A visa is valid until its expiration date unless it is canceled or revoked. A valid US visa in an expired passport is still considered valid. Never remove a valid visa from an expired passport or you will be unable to travel.
Who can apply for the R Visa?
In order to qualify for an R Visa holder, you need to comply with the following:
What is the purpose of a visa interview?
The main purpose of the visa interview is to confirm whether you qualify to receive the R Visa. You must have all the documentation to prove you meet the requirements under US law. As part of the interview, digital fingerprint scans will be taken. The consular officer who attends your interview will tell you about the administrative processing and whether you need to provide more information to support your application.
How much does it cost to get an R visa?
The application fee for the R Visa is USD 190. Remember that you may spend on supporting documents and the logistics for the interview. According to your nationality, you may also pay an issuance fee once the R Visa has been approved.
How long does it take to get a R visa?
It could take several weeks or even months to have your R Visa. First of all, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must approve your initial petition. After that, you need to complete the application and attend an interview at the nearest embassy or consulate. Scheduling the interview could take a while. The waiting period depends on your country of origin and the number of applicants at that time.
How long does a passport last?
Passport. The validity of your passport must be a minimum of 6 months beyond your stay in the US.
What is a religious organization?
Religious organization that is authorized by a group tax exemption holder to use its group tax exemption; or. Non-profit organization which is affiliated with a religious denomination in the United States. To qualify, you must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in ...
How long do you have to be a member of a religious denomination to file a petition?
To qualify, you must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least two years immediately before filing the petition.
What is the consular post for R-1?
After we approve your petition, the consular post determines whether you are eligible to receive the R-1 nonimmigrant visa. As with all individuals who appear at ports of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines whether the beneficiary may be admitted to the United States. Visa exempt workers must present the original Form I-797, Notice of Action, at a port of entry, as evidence of an approved Form I-129. For more information on visa application processing and issuance fees, see the Department of State’s Temporary Worker Visas webpage.
What is the form for a nonimmigrant worker?
Process. A prospective or existing U.S. employer must file Form I-129 , Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, on behalf of an alien seeking to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant minister, or a religious worker in a religious vocation or occupation. The petitioner must include evidence of eligibility for the classification sought.
What is RFRA in the Restoration Act?
Restoration Act (RFRA). A written request for the exemption should accompany the initial filing, and it must explain how the provision: Requires participation in an activity prohibited by a sincerely held religious belief; or. Prevents participation in conduct motivated by a sincerely held religious belief .
Who bears the burden of showing that it qualifies for a RFRA exemption?
The petitioner bears the burden of showing that it qualifies for a RFRA exemption and must support the request with relevant documentation. We will decide exemption requests on a case-by-case basis.
Can a minister move to another denomination?
For example, a minister may move from ministry to ministry within a denomination, including at a different or additional unit of the religious denomination if the petitioning organization oversees all of these locations.
