Who this is for
- Ministers, and people working in a religious vocation or a religious occupation
- People who have belonged to the same religious denomination as the U.S. employer for at least two years right before the petition
- Workers coming to work for a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S., or an affiliated organization, generally at least part-time (an average of 20 hours a week)
- Organizations that are tax-exempt as religious organizations (or affiliated with one) and can show how the worker will be paid or supported
- Workers coming temporarily, within the program's overall time limit
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-129 | Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | Filed by the U.S. religious organization with USCIS, including the religious worker supplement and the employer attestation. |
| DS-160 | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | The visa application the worker and family members complete before the consular interview. |
| I-539 | Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Used by R-2 family members already in the U.S. to extend or change their own status. |
| I-360 | Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | Used by or for religious workers seeking a permanent green card in the special immigrant religious worker category. |
Step by step
- Confirm the organization qualifiesThe U.S. organization gathers its tax-exempt documentation and evidence that it is a bona fide religious organization or affiliated with one.
- Confirm the worker's membership and roleThe organization documents that the worker has been a member of the same denomination for the past two years and that the job is a qualifying religious role.
- File Form I-129 with the attestationThe organization files the petition, the religious worker supplement and a signed attestation describing the job, pay and work location.
- Site inspection, if scheduledUSCIS may visit the organization's location to confirm it exists and that the job is real, before or after approval.
- Visa interview and entryAfter approval, a worker abroad completes the DS-160 and attends a visa interview, then enters the U.S. to start work.
- Extend within the time limitThe organization can usually file a new I-129 to extend the stay, up to the overall R-1 maximum.
Documents usually requested
- IRS tax-exemption letter for the organization, or for the group it belongs to
- Evidence of the organization's religious nature and activities
- Proof of the worker's denominational membership for the past two years
- Ordination, certificates or training records for the religious role
- Job description with duties, hours and work location
- Evidence of how the worker will be paid or supported (salary, housing or other support)
- Worker's passport and current immigration documents
- Marriage and birth certificates for R-2 family members
How long it takes
Timing depends on USCIS review of the I-129, whether a site inspection is scheduled, and consular appointment availability. See the USCIS processing times page for current estimates.
Government filing fees
Form I-129 carries a USCIS filing fee, and the worker pays a State Department visa application fee; Form I-360 for religious workers also has fee rules that can change. Fees are set by USCIS and change, so check the fee schedule (G-1055).
Working and traveling while you wait
An R-1 worker may work only for the petitioning organization in the approved role. R-2 spouses and children can accompany the worker but generally cannot work.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Gaps or inconsistencies in the two-year denominational membership
- A job that is mainly administrative or general support rather than religious
- Weak or missing proof of how the worker will be paid or supported
- An address, building or contact that cannot be confirmed during a site inspection
- Assuming an R-1 approval automatically leads to a green card
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a qualifying religious organization?
Generally, a nonprofit religious organization that is tax-exempt, or one affiliated with a religious denomination that is tax-exempt. The organization must show it is genuinely religious and that the job serves its religious purpose.
Do I need to be a member of the same religion for two years?
Yes, in general. The worker usually must have been a member of the same religious denomination as the U.S. organization for at least two years right before the petition is filed.
Will USCIS visit our church or organization?
It may. USCIS can conduct site inspections to confirm that the organization exists and that the job is real, so the address and contact person should be accurate and available.
Can an R-1 lead to a green card?
It may. There is a separate special immigrant religious worker category (in the EB-4 group) that uses Form I-360, with its own requirements and limits. An attorney can explain whether and how it applies.
How long can I stay on an R-1?
R-1 status is granted for a limited period and can be extended up to an overall maximum. Rules about what happens after that maximum were updated in 2026, so check current USCIS guidance.
Can my spouse work on R-2 status?
In general, no. R-2 spouses and children can live in the U.S. and children can attend school, but they usually cannot work.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.