RELIGIOUS
WORKERS ("R")
This visa category allows certain persons entering the U.S. to perform
work for bona fide nonprofit religious organizations to obtain R status.
Requirements:
A person must have been a member of the religious denomination for at
least two years immediately preceding the date of admission to the U.S.
The
person may be a minister, or have a religious vocation or occupation.
The
law limits the period of admission of a person in R status to five years.
However, certain individuals who are granted R status may apply for
Adjustment of Status for Permanent Residence (Green card).
Permanent
Residency Status for Religious Workers.
Religious
workers may obtain permanent residency in the United States through
three routes:
The
requirements for the first two options include:
The alien must have been a member of a bona fide nonprofit religious
organization for the two years immediately preceding the filing of the
Petition.
The alien must be coming to the United States to solely carry out the
religious vocation or occupation.
The alien must have been performing the vocation or religious occupation
for at least the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of
the petition.
A minister for immigration purposes is defined as an individual duly
authorized by a recognized religious denomination to conduct religious
worship and to perform other duties usually performed by authorized
members of the clergy of that religion. A religious occupation is defined
as an activity which relates to a traditional religious function. A
religious vocation is defined as a calling to religious life evidenced
by the demonstration of commitment practiced in the religious denomination,
such as the taking of vows.
The petition is filed with the regional service center having jurisdiction
over the religious institution's location. If the Petition is approved,
an individual in the United States may immediately file I-485 applications
for himself or herself, his or her spouse, and any minor children. In
the event that the person lacks the requisite two years of experience
in the position immediately prior to the filing of the Petition, he
or she might wish to consider an R Non-Immigrant Visa.
