R-1 Religious Worker Visa
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas Immigration Lawyers
The R-1 category is for a religious worker coming to the United States temporarily to solely perform as a minister of religion; professional in a religious vocation or occupation (with at least a Bachelor’s degree); or anyone coming to work in the U.S. in a religious vocation or occupation that relates to a traditional religious function at the request of a bona fide nonprofit religious organization
The religious worker must have been a member of a religious denomination having a nonprofit religious organization in the United States for at least the two years immediately prior to the application date. If the foreign national is outside the U.S., he or she may apply directly to a consulate for an R visa. If visa exempt, the alien may apply at a port of entry. If the foreign national is in the United States, the religious organization may petition for a change of status, extension of stay or change of employment. An R-1 worker may work in the U.S. for up to five years.
R-2 Visas (Dependents of R-1)
Dependents of R-1 workers are classified as spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age. They are entitled to the R-2 status, which has the same restrictions as the R-1. Dependents may attend school or college in the United States, but not be employed.
The petition may be filed by an authorized official of the U.S. organization and must be filed with a written statement from an authorized official of the religious organization that will be employing the foreign national establishing that he or she has been a member of the denomination for the required two years.
At Reyes Bartolomei Browne, we have over 20 years’ experience in helping people with immigration issues. If you are interested in obtaining an R-1 Visa or have any other immigration questions or issues, please call one of our bilingual immigration attorneys for a consultation, or fill out the questionnaire to the right of this page.
The religious worker must have been a member of a religious denomination having a nonprofit religious organization in the United States for at least the two years immediately prior to the application date. If the foreign national is outside the U.S., he or she may apply directly to a consulate for an R visa. If visa exempt, the alien may apply at a port of entry. If the foreign national is in the United States, the religious organization may petition for a change of status, extension of stay or change of employment. An R-1 worker may work in the U.S. for up to five years.
R-2 Visas (Dependents of R-1)
Dependents of R-1 workers are classified as spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age. They are entitled to the R-2 status, which has the same restrictions as the R-1. Dependents may attend school or college in the United States, but not be employed.
The petition may be filed by an authorized official of the U.S. organization and must be filed with a written statement from an authorized official of the religious organization that will be employing the foreign national establishing that he or she has been a member of the denomination for the required two years.
At Reyes Bartolomei Browne, we have over 20 years’ experience in helping people with immigration issues. If you are interested in obtaining an R-1 Visa or have any other immigration questions or issues, please call one of our bilingual immigration attorneys for a consultation, or fill out the questionnaire to the right of this page.