Religious Visa

Non-Immigrant Visa Unit

R-1 religious worker visa involves workers engaged in a religious vocation or occupation. Examples of individuals in religious occupations include liturgical workers, religious ministers, counselors, missionaries and etc. Applicants are required to present evidence that the religious organization in the US qualifies as a nonprofit organization by presenting a certificate of tax-exempt status issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a letter issued by the employing religious organization certifying that (a) the applicant is a member of the foreign religious organization which belongs to the same denomination as the US religious organization, (b) the applicant has been a member of the religious organization for the required two-year period prior to the visa application, (c) the name and location of the religious organization, (d) duties to be performed by the applicant and (e) amount and source of any salary or compensation to be received by the applicant.

From December 1, 2008 the employment must be approved in advance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of a petition, Form I-129, filed by the United States employer, before the Minister of Religion or Religious Worker applies for the visa at the Embassy.

Applicants for nonimmigrant visas must be interviewed in person. In order to receive an appointment, please click here to Book an Appointment.