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R-1 — Religious Worker
United StatesUnited States•North America
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R-1 — Religious Worker

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 6 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

USD $715

Stay Duration

30 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Temporary employment in a religious vocation or occupation at a bona fide U.S. non-profit religious organization.

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.

United States

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Cost Breakdown

Form I-129 filing feeUSD $510
MRV application feeUSD $205
Visa issuance fee—
TotalUSD $715

Processing Time

Standard (I-129 adjudication)3–6 months
Premium Processing2 weeks

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2.5 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-4 — Employment Fourth Preference - Special Immigrant
United States flagUnited States

EB-4 — Employment Fourth Preference - Special Immigrant

ValidityIndefinite
Processing1–3 years
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Member of the same religious denomination as the U.S. employer for at least 2 years

Work as a minister or in a qualifying religious vocation or occupation

Employed by a non-profit religious organization in the U.S.

Work at least part-time (20+ hours/week)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay)

Form I-129 petition receipt number from employer

DS-160 confirmation page

Passport-style photo

Evidence of 2-year membership in the religious denomination

Evidence of non-profit status of the U.S. religious organization

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Spouses and unmarried children under 21 qualify for R-2 derivative visas
  • No annual cap — petitions can be filed at any time
  • Canadian and Bermudian citizens are visa-exempt (only USCIS I-129 approval needed)
  • Pathway to EB-4 Special Immigrant Religious Worker green card

Worth Knowing

  • Employer must initiate and file the I-129 petition — self-sponsorship is not permitted
  • R-2 dependents may not work in the U.S.
  • Minimum 20 hours/week of qualifying religious work required
  • Maximum total stay capped at 5 years; must depart for at least 1 year before reapplying
  • Issuance fee varies by applicant's nationality

Application Process

1

Employer files Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) with USCIS

2

Applicant completes DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application

3

Upload a compliant passport photo in the DS-160 system

4

Schedule and attend a visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate

5

Bring passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay), I-129 receipt number, and DS-160 confirmation

6

Provide fingerprints at the interview; pay any applicable issuance fee upon approval

Application Forms

I-129
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Fill online
DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Fill online

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