Embassy of the United States

Religious Workers Visas

The R-visa is for ministers of religion and full-time religious workers. The requirements for the R-visa are specific and may not be appropriate for many visitors even though their trip to the United States is for a religious activity. Visitors who do not qualify for R-visas may qualify for B-1/2 (business/tourism) visas.

To qualify for an R-visa, the applicant must:
• Be a member of a religious denomination having a bona-fide nonprofit, tax-exempt religious organization or affiliation in the US.
• Have been a member of the denomination for 2 years immediately preceding the application for visa.
• Be entering the US solely to carry on the vocation of a minister or to work full-time in a religious occupation for that denomination or affiliated organization.

Additionally, if the applicant was previously in the US under an R-visa for five years, the applicant must have resided and been physically present outside the US for one year immediately prior to the present application for an R-visa.

NEW REQUIREMENT
On November 26 the Department of Homeland Security published amended religious worker regulations.
The new regulations published by the Department of Homeland Security require that sponsoring employers must file I-129 petitions for all aliens for whom R-1 nonimmigrant status is sought.  Self-petitions will not be accepted.  Effective immediately, no R-1 nonimmigrant visa may be issue to an alien who is not the beneficiary of an approved I-129 petition for R-1 classified filed by the employer.  Approvals must be verified through PIMS, the Petition Information Management Service.

The applicant's affiliated denomination must show that it
• Possesses some form of ecclesiastical government;
• Have a recognized creed and form of worship;
• Have a formal code of doctrine and discipline; and
• Holds religious services and ceremonies in established places of worship attended by congregations.

The principal applicant receives an R-1 visa. Spouse and children (unmarried and under 21 years old) receive R-2 visas as the applicant's dependents. R-2 visa holders cannot work in the US. Each applicant must pay separate application fees.

Also Keep In Mind
Religious institutions in the US must provide:
- Certificate issued by the US Internal Revenue Service showing the religious organization in the US is tax-exempt or proof that it can qualify if it applied for tax-exempt status.
- Letter from an authorized official of the religious organization in the US affirming
a) The affiliation between the US-based organization and the overseas religious denomination.
b) The duration of the applicant's membership in the overseas religious denomination.
c) The applicant's authority to function as a minister of religion, or the nature of the applicant's responsibilities as a professional religious worker.
d) Evidence of a baccalaureate degree if the applicant is a professional religious worker.
e) Arrangements for remuneration for the applicant's services in the US.
f) The name and location of the religious congregation or organization in the US for which the applicant would be providing services.