R-1 Visa allows foreign nationals in religious occupations to enter into the U.S.
The R-1 visa allows religious workers from other countries to temporarily come to the United States and perform religious duties for a qualified nonprofit organization. This visa is often used by churches, temples, mosques, and other faith-based groups that need support from trained ministers, missionaries, or religious staff.
At our St. Louis immigration law firm, we help both U.S. religious organizations and foreign workers understand the requirements for the R-1 visa and prepare strong applications. Whether you’re bringing in clergy or staff for outreach, teaching, or service roles, we’re here to guide you through the process.
The R-1 is a nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals who will work in a religious occupation or vocation in the United States. This includes positions like ministers, priests, rabbis, religious instructors, cantors, monks, and others engaged in duties that are strictly religious in nature.
The sponsoring organization must be a nonprofit religious group or affiliated with a denomination that is recognized as tax-exempt. The work must be ongoing and based on a job offer or assignment, either paid or unpaid, as part of a larger religious mission.
To be eligible for an R-1 visa, both the religious worker and the sponsoring organization must meet specific criteria.
For the individual:
For the employer:
Common roles include clergy members, choir directors, religious counselors, missionaries, and others whose work is rooted in the faith and teachings of the sponsoring group.
The R-1 visa offers a flexible and reliable way for religious organizations to meet their staffing needs while also allowing workers to serve their faith communities in the U.S. Key benefits include:
The visa supports full-time or part-time service and is available year-round with no annual cap.
The first step is for the U.S. religious organization to file Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition must include detailed information about:
USCIS may conduct a site visit to the organization’s location before or after approving the petition. Once the petition is approved, the religious worker can apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate by submitting Form DS-160 and attending a visa interview.
Our attorneys assist with both the employer-side and individual application steps to reduce delays and ensure compliance.
An R-1 visa is initially granted for up to 30 months (2.5 years). A single extension is available for an additional 30 months, allowing a maximum stay of five years.
After reaching the five-year limit, the religious worker must leave the United States for at least 12 months before becoming eligible to apply for a new R-1 visa, unless they are transitioning to a permanent resident status.
Short trips abroad during the visa period do not reset the five-year maximum.
The R-1 visa offers a flexible and reliable way for religious organizations to meet their staffing needs while also allowing workers to serve their faith communities in the U.S. Key benefits include:
The visa supports full-time or part-time service and is available year-round with no annual cap.
Religious worker visas involve detailed documentation and unique requirements that are different from other employment-based visas. Mistakes or missing information can lead to denials or long delays.
An experienced immigration attorney can:
Our team has worked with large congregations, small faith communities, and international ministries to secure visas for clergy, missionaries, and religious staff.
Up to five years total, including an initial stay of 30 months with one 30-month extension allowed.
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may come on R-2 visas. They can study but are not allowed to work.
Yes. Some religious workers may qualify for a green card under the EB-4 special immigrant religious worker category.
You’ll need to file a new Form I-129 with the new employer. R-1 visas are tied to specific employers and roles.
Only positions with primarily religious duties qualify. Administrative, custodial, or fundraising-only roles typically do not.
If your religious organization is bringing a worker to the U.S., or you are a foreign national planning to serve in a religious role, contact our St. Louis immigration lawyers today. We understand the unique needs of faith-based communities and will guide you through every step of the R-1 visa process.
To discuss with an immigration lawyer if this is the right visa for you and if you can qualify under this category, please feel free to contact us.