R-1 — Religious Worker

The R-1 is a US temporary visa for ministers and other religious workers employed by a non-profit religious organization. No academic degree is required; qualification hinges on at least two years of membership in the same denomination as the petitioning employer.

Initial stay is up to 30 months, extendable to a 5-year maximum. A green card pathway exists via the EB-4 Special Immigrant Religious Worker category. Spouses and children under 21 may join on R-2 status but cannot work. A USCIS site visit program may inspect the organization to verify legitimacy.

This visa is ideal for foreign ministers or religious workers with a US non-profit employer offer who want a renewable work status and a path to permanent residence.