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Religious Worker Visa R-1
Religious Worker Visa:
The Religious Worker Visa or R-1 visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals intending to work for a religious organization.
R-1 visa has some distinct requirements:
- The R-1 visa applicant must represent a legitimate non-profit religious organization that is tax exempt.
- R-1 visa holders can freely travel in and out the US
- Applicants do not have to maintain a residence in their home country while in the U.S.
- R-1 visa holders are permitted to bring their dependents (spouses and children under 21.
- The initial R-1 period of employment is 2 years and 6 months, total period is 5 years.
- R-1 visa holders may change religious employers while in the U.S.
- Visa holders are allowed to get paid and there is no minimum wage
- The religious worker must have been a member of their denomination for at least two years prior to their R-1 application.
Documentation Required:
- Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker
- Form DS-156, Non-immigrant Visa Application
- Paperwork that shows the applicant has been a member of the religious organization for over 2 years
- Financial support documentation
Restrictions:
- Religious workers cannot stay longer than a total of 5 years on the R-1 visa.
- The spouse and dependents of the R-1 visa holder may not work.
