R-1 religious worker
R-1 visa for religious workers: who qualifies and how it works
The R-1 lets a minister or religious worker work in the US for a nonprofit religious employer. The employer files. Here is what has to be true, how long you can stay and what it costs.
Last checked October 2026 · Sources
- Denomination membership
- 2 years before filing
- Minimum work
- 20 hours a week on average
- Stay
- 30 months, then up to 5 years total
- Legal fee
- Quoted on request
Quick answer
What is the R-1 visa?
The R-1 is a temporary work visa for ministers and other religious workers. A US nonprofit religious employer files Form I-129 for you. You need at least 2 years of membership in the same denomination, and the job must average at least 20 hours a week. You can stay up to 30 months at first and 5 years in total.
- Only the employer can file. You cannot file for yourself.
- USCIS can inspect the workplace before or after it decides.
- Your spouse and children under 21 can come in R-2 status, but cannot work.
- To work for a second religious employer, that employer needs its own approved petition.
Eligibility
Who qualifies for an R-1 visa?
Every item must be met. These come from 8 CFR 214.2(r)(1) and (r)(3)).
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Two years in the denomination
You have been a member of the same type of religious denomination as the US employer for at least the 2 years right before the petition is filed.
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A religious role, and only that role
You come solely as a minister, or to work in a religious vocation or occupation. You cannot work in the US in any other job, except for another approved religious employer.
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At least part time
The job averages at least 20 hours a week.
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A qualifying nonprofit employer
A US religious nonprofit with a current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, one covered by a group tax exemption, or a tax-exempt organization affiliated with the denomination.
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Pay or approved self-support
The employer shows how you will be paid, in money or in kind such as room and board. Self-support is allowed only in an established, uncompensated missionary program.
A partner-firm attorney confirms that your role and your employer fit these rules before anything is filed.
Key terms
Minister, vocation or occupation: what counts?
USCIS uses these definitions from 8 CFR 214.2(r)(3)(3)).
| Role | What it means | Examples or limits |
|---|---|---|
| Minister | Fully authorized and trained by the denomination to lead worship and do the duties of its clergy | Not a lay preacher. Proof includes an ordination certificate and any required theological education. |
| Religious vocation | A formal lifetime commitment to a religious way of life, through vows or similar steps | Nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters |
| Religious occupation | Duties that mainly relate to a traditional religious function and carry out the faith’s creed and beliefs | Not janitors, clerical staff, fund raisers or other mainly support jobs. Religious study alone does not count. |
Small administrative tasks are fine if they are only incidental to the religious work.
Time limits
How long can you stay on an R-1?
| Stage | Rule |
|---|---|
| First approval | Up to 30 months |
| Extension | Up to 30 more months, filed by the employer |
| Total limit | 5 years in R-1 status |
| After 5 years | You must leave the US. There is no minimum time abroad before a new R-1, if you still qualify. |
| Exception to the limit | Seasonal or intermittent work, work of 6 months or less a year, or commuting from abroad for part-time work. It needs clear and convincing proof. |
| R-2 family | Same period as you. Spouse and unmarried children under 21. No work allowed. |
Sources: 8 CFR 214.2(r)(4) to (r)(6)(4)) and the USCIS R-1 page (updated 09/02/2026).
Process
How to get an R-1 visa, step by step
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Gather the employer’s proof
The IRS determination letter, plus the employer’s attestation. It covers membership numbers, staff, past religious worker petitions, your duties, pay and work location.
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Gather your proof
Proof of 2 years of membership, and your qualifications. Ministers add ordination papers and any required theological education records.
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The employer files Form I-129
15 business days with premiumIt files Form I-129 with the R-1 Classification Supplement. One petition covers one worker. Premium processing (Form I-907) is available.
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Be ready for a site inspection
USCIS may tour the site, interview officials and review records, before or after it decides (8 CFR 214.2(r)(16)(16))).
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Get the visa or change status
From abroad, you apply for an R-1 visa at a US consulate. If you are already in the US in another status, the petition can ask for a change of status.
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Stay in status
Work only for the approved employer. If your hours drop below the minimum or the job ends, the employer must tell DHS within 14 days (8 CFR 214.2(r)(14)(14))).
Costs
R-1 fees, as of October 2026
Government fees are paid to the government, separately from our legal fee.
| Item | Fee | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129, R petition (paper or online) | $510 | Employer |
| Asylum Program Fee | $0 for nonprofits. $300 for small employers. $600 otherwise. | Employer |
| Premium processing, Form I-907 (optional) | $1,780. USCIS acts within 15 business days. | Employer |
| R visa at a US consulate | $205 (State Department) | You |
| Our legal fee (partner-firm attorneys) | Quoted on request, flat, before you sign | You or your employer |
USCIS fees from Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26. Every Form I-129 petitioner pays the Asylum Program Fee (8 CFR 106.2(c)(13)). Visa fee from 22 CFR 22.1, item 21(b). A partner-firm attorney confirms the current amounts before filing.
FAQ
Questions people ask
No. The US religious employer files Form I-129 for you. For the green card route, a religious worker petition on Form I-360 can be filed by the employer or by the worker.
It can, through the special immigrant religious worker category on Form I-360. It needs 2 years of membership and 2 years of continuous religious work before filing. A law signed Sept. 2, 2026 extended the non-minister part only through December 11, 2026. Ministers are not affected by that date.
No. R-2 spouses and children cannot work. They can live with you for the same period as your R-1.
Yes, if each employer qualifies and files its own petition. Working for an employer without an approved petition puts you out of status.
No. You must leave after 5 years in R-1 status, but there is no minimum time abroad before you can be readmitted, if you still qualify.
No one can promise that. A partner-firm attorney checks your eligibility first and a second attorney reviews the petition before filing.
Check your R-1 case with an attorney
R-1 cases are handled by licensed attorneys at our independent partner firm. Green Card Guide is not a law firm. You get a flat fee quote before you sign.
Sources · checked October 2026
- 8 CFR 214.2(r): Religious workers (eCFR)
- USCIS, R-1 Nonimmigrant Religious Workers (updated 09/02/2026)
- USCIS, Special Immigrant Religious Workers (updated 09/21/2026)
- USCIS, Form I-129 Instructions (R-1 Classification Supplement)
- USCIS, Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/01/26)
- USCIS, How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 03/23/2026)
- 22 CFR 22.1: State Department schedule of fees
- 8 CFR 106.2(c)(13), Asylum Program Fee (Cornell LII)
- Public Law 119-103, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, secs. 101(6) and 106(3) (GovInfo)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
