R-1 Visa, Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers

You may be eligible to be classified as an R-1 nonimmigrant if you:

• Are 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;
• Will be employed by a non-profit religious organization in the United States;
• Will be employed by a religious organization that is authorized by a group tax exemption holder to use its group tax exemption, or will be employed by a non-profit religious organization which is affiliated with a religious denomination in the United States; and
• Will be employed solely as a minister or in another religious vocation or occupation at least part time (an average of at least 20 hours per week) by a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States (or a bona fide organization that is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States).

For more information, visit our R-1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers page.

Your petitioning entity must:

• Read the instructions for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker;
• Complete and sign your Form I-129;
• Pay the filing fee, if applicable; and
• Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.

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Once we receive your Form I-129, you will receive a:  

• Receipt notice confirming we received your petition;
• Site visit at the petitioner’s headquarters location, if necessary
• Notice to appear for an interview, if required; and
• Notice of our decision.

• Form I-129
• Find the fee information on Our Fee Schedule page.