The Important Factors of R-1 Visa Holders
The Important Factors of R-1 Visa Holders
The R-1 visa is specifically for individuals seeking to engage in religious work (temporarily to work) and known as a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) that allows foreign nationals to come to the United States temporarily to employ as an occupation such as a minister or monk or priest etc., for a designated religious organization in the U.S.
A few important factors of R-1 visa are in the following:
Visa type is a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) and temporarily to engage in religious work
Coming to work for nonprofit / religious organization in the U.S.
Family members can also be eligible as a dependent of R-1 visa holders
Visa validity period is up to 30 months at a time but could be extended up to 5 years (maximum stay)
Application / processing time is at least three to six months with USCIS
Is there any possibility of reapplying another R-1 visa after if previous R-1 visa time extension was expired?
Yes. However, the applicant you must have been physically present outside the United States for the immediate previous year before applying for a new nonimmigrant R-1 visa. For the requirements for R-1 visa eligibility, please see the link below for more details.
Can R-1 visa holder (while in the U.S.) be eligible for applying for a green card?
The short answer is “yes”, theoretically, an R-1 visa holder can pursue a green card through called EB-4 (Special Immigrant Religious Worker) category. However, to apply for a green card while in the U.S., the R1-visa holder must file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence. For the eligibility of applying for a green card based on EB-4 category, please see the link below for more information.
What is current visa bulletin status for EB-4 category?
According to State Department and USCIS, the applicant must wait visa availability date under the table of “final action date” prior to file the Form I-485 or will be rejected. For upcoming month of October 2025, the final action date showing “U” which means EB-4 category is unauthorized to proceed with the State Department. Specifically, there will be no processing of immigrant visa application for this category. Please see the chat below for more information.
Visa Bulletin for the upcoming month of October 2025.
What will impact the R-1 visa holders if his Form I-360 was approved but visa bulletin shows “U”?
As discussed above, R-1 visa a non-immigrant visa and issued for temporary stay in the U.S. not more than five years. If the R-1 visa holder was approved the special immigrant visa category and he applied for the adjustment through USCIS, but visa bulletin showing “not current” or “unauthorized / U”, his R-1 visa status will valid until before R-1 visa expiration date. If he continues in the U.S. beyond R-1 visa validation date, his visa status is considered as “overstayed” which means he will not be allowed to adjust his immigration status directly even though visa bulletin shows available.
Note: this information provided here is for general information and educational purposes only, and it does not constitute legal advice.
