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Religious Workers (R)

Religious Workers (R-1)

  Persons proceeding to the U.S. to work temporarily in a religious capacity may be eligible for an R visa status.  Employers in the United States who require the temporary services of an R-1 religious worker must file a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Once the R-1 petition is approved, the applicant may apply for an R-1 visa at the American Institute in Taiwan.  Applicants applying for an R visa must meet strict qualifications regarding their religious affiliation, prospective duties in the U.S., and the tax-free status of their denomination.  Please note that petition approval does not guarantee visa issuance.  Please contact the USCIS for information regarding R-1 petition requirements.

APPLYING FOR A VISA

  1. Please follow the steps listed on the “How to apply” page to submit your application and prepare the required documents.
  2. The receipt number of the approved I-129 petition.  It is also very helpful if you bring a copy of the I-129 petition and a copy of the I-797 Notice of Approval to your visa interview.
  3. Please provide evidence of religious affiliation or ordination and prior religious activities/duties.
  4. Please provide evidence of tax-exempt status of the organization you are destined in the United States.
  5. Provide a complete, specific description of activities to be undertaken in the United States.  Generic descriptions such as "religious work", "evangelism", or "missionary work" are insufficient.
  6. A nonimmigrant religious worker’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may apply for an R-2 derivative visa.  They should provide proof of their relationship to the principal applicant such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or household registration.  If the spouse and/or children apply for visas at a later date, a copy of the principal visa holder's media visa must be presented with the application.  

 

For more information on R visas, click here.(The Bureau of Consular Affairs Website).

Temporary Worker Visas