R1 VISA - for Religious Worker
The R-1 Visa category is reserved for religious workers. To qualify as a religious worker in this category, you must be a member of a religious denomination that has a genuine nonprofit religious organization in the USA. You must have held membership in the denomination for at least two (2) years before you can apply. To qualify as a genuine non-profit, the organization must be exempt from paying US taxes, or eligible for tax exempt status.
Religious Workers can only perform certain duties for the denomination. Specifically, the R-1 is for a Minister, or in another recognized religious vocation.
In order to provide sponsorship for a Religious Worker R-1 status, a religious organization must first file a petition with USCIS. After the petition is approved, the Religious Worker can apply for a visa with the US Consulate overseas.
The Law Office of Brian T O’Neill can provide the tools you need to make the most informed decisions about applying for the R-1 visa. Find out how the process works, what timing and considerations are involved, what forms and supporting exhibits must be submitted before submitting an R-1 visa package.
Call the Law office of Brian T. O’Neill at 617-722-4000 or contact us online. We will gladly answer your questions or schedule a consultation.
