Requirements for R1 visa eligibility

What is R1 Visa Eligibility?

The R-1 visa is specifically for individuals seeking to engage in religious work (temporarily to work) and also 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.

What is the minimum eligibility to apply R1 visa?

According to USCIS, the applicant must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least two years immediately before filing the petition. The religious organization in the U.S. must file the petition for the foreign national with USCIS. Then, USCIS will notify your prospective employer about the petition approval or denial, by sending a Notice of Action, Form I-797. The important thing is, specifically, the sponsor religious organization must meet the following criteria:

• Non-profit religious organization in the United States

• Religious organization that is authorized by a group tax exemption holder to use its group tax exemption; or

• Non-profit organization which is affiliated with a religious denomination in the United States

• Work at least part time, an average of at least 20 hours per week

Duration of Status

The initial R-1 visa is typically granted for a period of up to 30 months, with the possibility of extensions for a total stay not exceeding 5 years. Please note that USCIS only count time spent physically in the United States in valid R-1 status toward the maximum period of stay.

Is there any possibility for reapplying another R1 visa after if previous R1 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. Please note this time limitations do not apply to religious workers who did not reside continuously in the U.S., and whose employment in the U.S. was seasonal, intermittent or for a total of six months or less per year.

Note: This information is for generally educational or informational purposes only and it does not constitute legal advice.