Religious
Workers in the United States |
Leaders of
religious organizations and institutes are often
unaware that they have the ability to hire and
sponsor foreign nationals to work in the United
States. The R-1 religious worker visa is a
nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals
in religious occupations to enter into the
United States and perform the duties of a
religious worker.
Persons seeking R-1 status must plan to enter
the United States solely to:
• Carry on the vocation of a minister of the
religious denomination; or
• Work in a professional capacity in a religious
vocation or occupation or organization within
the denomination; or
• Work in a religious vocation or occupation for
an organization within the denomination, or for
a bona fide organization, that is affiliated
with the religious denomination. Bona fide
religious organizations in the United States
must have tax-exempt status as an organization
as described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
The initial admission period for religious
workers entering the United States in R-1 status
is limited to three years. Extensions of the R-1
status may be granted, but the total period for
a person residing in the United States on R-1
status may not exceed a total of five years.
The R-1 visa also allows for a foreign national
to engage in studies, travel freely in and out
of the U.S., receive payment for services, and
apply for permanent residency (green card).
Additionally, the spouse and any children under
the age of 21 years of an R-1 holder may also
live in the U.S. If a religious worker is
interested in obtaining permanent residency, his
or her spouse and children under the age of 21
are also included in the immigrant visa
petition, so that they are eligible to apply for
permanent residence once the petition is
approved. In addition, family members in the
United States are eligible for work
authorization while the applications for
permanent residence are pending.
The processing time for an R-1 visa petition is
normally around three months, but a decision can
be reached in 15 days for an additional fee.
Once the petition is approved, consular
processing normally takes three to four months.
The law firm of Kraft & Associates can help you
determine if you are eligible to sponsor a
person for a religious worker visa. We will help
you file all the necessary petitions and see the
process through to conclusion. Should you have
any questions regarding religious visas, please
do not hesitate to contact us. |
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