WORK VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES

RELIGIOUS WORKER VISA TO THE UNITED STATES

Eligible applicants can come to the United States to temporarily work in a religious vocation or occupation. The applicant can be a religious minister, professional working in a religious vocation or a non-professional working in a religious occupation or vocation. All applicants must have been a member of the religious denomination for the two years preceding the application.

The applicant has the opportunity to temporarily live and work in the United States and to possibly be eligible to apply for permanent residence. The applicant is not required to be sponsored by an employer to apply for permanent residence in the US under the Certain Special Immigrant Visa category.

RELIGIOUS WORKER VISA (R-1) BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Essential requirements include the requirement that the religious organization qualify as a non-profit organization. The applicant must be a minister, a professional working a professional capacity requiring at least a Bachelor degree, or a non-professional working in a religious occupation or vocation. The applicant must have been a member of the religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least 2 years preceding the application. Applicants may also be required to meet certain health and character requirements.

RELIGIOUS WORKER VISA (R-1) ENTITLEMENTS

The Religious Worker Visa provides applicants with the opportunity to work and live in the United States for as long as they continue to maintain their position with the non-profit religious organization. Visas are granted for up to 3 years with extensions for 2 years at a time, for a maximum stay of five years. In certain circumstances, where eligible, permanent resident status can be obtained. Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of the stay require the relevant visa status.