We Strive to Operate
Successfully Where
Immigration Has No Borders
Successfully Where
Immigration Has No Borders
Frequently Asked Questions on R Visa
What is an R visa?
An R visa is a non-immigrant visa category for religious workers who wish to come to the United States temporarily to work in a religious capacity for a qualifying religious organization.
Religious workers, including ministers, priests, monks, nuns, and other individuals who work in a religious capacity, may be eligible for an R visa if they have been a member of a qualifying religious organization for at least two years and have received a job offer from a U.S.-based religious organization.
There are two types of R visas:
R-1 visa: for religious workers coming to the U.S. to perform religious duties as a minister, priest, or in another religious occupation.
R-2 visa: for the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of R-1 visa holders.
A qualifying religious organization must be a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States, such as a church, mosque, temple, or other religious institution that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
R-1 visa holders can bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States as dependents on R-2 visas. Dependents are allowed to study in the U.S. but are not permitted to work unless they obtain their own work authorization.
Initially, R-1 visa holders can stay in the U.S. for up to 30 months. Extensions of stay are available in increments of up to 30 months, for a maximum total stay of five years.
Yes, R-1 visa holders may be eligible to apply for a green card through employment-based immigration pathways if they meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residency. They must have a sponsoring employer and meet other requirements specified by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The process for obtaining an R visa involves several steps, including obtaining a job offer from a qualifying religious organization in the U.S., preparing and submitting the necessary visa application documents, attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and complying with any additional requirements specified by the consulate.
Yes, R visa holders can change employers, but the new employer must file a new petition on the employee's behalf and obtain approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the change can take effect.
R visa applicants can typically apply for their visa as soon as they have a confirmed job offer from a qualifying religious organization in the U.S.
Immigration Services
Contact Us
- San Jose
- 408.981.7696
HEAR IT FROM OUR CLIENTS
Dear Mr. Ahluwalia, I would like to thank you for all your help with Dr. xxx case. She and I were very impressed with your services and the professionalism that you...
Inderjit, thank you so very much. I sincerely appreciate all the effort you took to get this approved and your incredible patience. As xxx mentioned, we will only work...
Inderjit handled our immigration matter in reference to my parents. We approached him and found him extremely pleasant to work with. In addition to his knowledge of the...