Religious Worker Visa

The R-1 Religious Worker Visa allows ministers, missionaries, and other religious workers to serve in the United States through nonprofit faith organizations. I assist applicants and sponsoring institutions with every aspect of the process, including R-1 Religious Worker Visas, R-2 Dependent Visas, R-1 Visa Extensions and Compliance, and EB-4 Special Immigrant Religious Worker Green Cards, ensuring that each petition is prepared with care, accuracy, and full USCIS compliance.

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R-1 Religious Worker Visa

  • The R-1 visa allows certain religious workers to come to the United States temporarily to work for a qualifying religious organization. It can be used by ministers and people working in certain religious jobs or religious vocations.

  • You may qualify if you have been a member of the same religious denomination as the sponsoring organization for at least two years before the petition is filed. You must be coming to the United States to work in a qualifying religious role for an average of at least 20 hours per week.

    The U.S. organization must also meet USCIS requirements as a qualifying nonprofit religious organization or an eligible organization connected to the religious denomination.

  • I work with both the religious organization and the religious worker step by step through the R-1 process. I review the organization and the religious position, prepare Form I-129, gather proof of your religious background and qualifications, and organize the documents USCIS needs. I also help respond to USCIS questions or requests for more evidence if they come up.

Special Immigrant Religious Worker (EB-4) Visa

  • The EB-4 Religious Worker category gives certain religious workers a path to a Green Card and permanent residence in the United States. It is available to qualifying ministers and, when the program is authorized, certain other religious workers.

  • You may qualify if you have been a member of the same religious denomination for at least two years and have been doing qualifying religious work for at least two years before your petition is filed.eligible organization connected to the religious denomination.

    You must also plan to work full-time in the United States for a qualifying nonprofit religious organization. Full-time generally means an average of at least 35 hours each week.

  • I work with you and the religious organization step by step through the EB-4 process. I review your religious work history, the organization, and the position being offered. I prepare Form I-360, gather the documents needed to show your experience and qualifications, and help with the Green Card process through Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing when you are eligible to move forward.

R-2 Dependent Visa

  • The R-2 visa allows the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an R-1 religious worker to live with them in the United States. R-2 family members may attend school or college, but they are not allowed to work in the United States.

  • You may qualify for R-2 status if you are the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a person who holds R-1 religious worker status. You will need documents that show your family relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

  • I work with your family step by step through the R-2 process. I help prepare the required applications, gather documents that prove your family relationship, and make sure your case is properly organized. Whether your family is applying from outside the United States or requesting R-2 status from inside the country, I help you understand what is needed and what comes next.

R-1 Status Extensions

  • An R-1 extension allows a religious worker to ask for more time to continue working in the United States. R-1 status is usually granted for up to 30 months at first and may be extended for up to another 30 months.

    The religious organization and the worker must continue to meet the R-1 requirements.

  • You may qualify for an extension if you are currently working in R-1 status and your religious organization wants you to continue working in the same qualifying religious role.

    Your organization must still meet USCIS requirements and file the extension request on your behalf.

  • I work with you and your religious organization step by step through the extension process. I review your current R-1 status, employment, and organization records, prepare the new Form I-129, and gather the documents USCIS needs to show that you still qualify.

    If USCIS asks for more information or has questions about the organization or your work, I also help prepare the response.country, I help you understand what is needed and what comes next.