Get the R-1 Religious Worker Visa to the U.S. with Full Legal Support

Get the R-1 religious worker visa to the U.S. with full legal support

Are you a priest, pastor, missionary, monk, or teacher working in a religious organization? Do you want to serve in the United States legally and live there with your family? Then you should learn more about what is an R visa - is a specialized nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign religious workers to live and serve in the U.S. under full legal status.

We offer comprehensive "done-for-you" service: detailed explanation, what is a religious visa, analysis of compliance with its requirements, sponsor coordination, legal petition preparation, consular support, and post-arrival adaptation — everything you need for a successful move to the U.S. as a religious worker.

What is the R-1 Visa?

The R-1 visa allows foreign nationals to work temporarily in the United States in a recognized non-profit religious organization. If you don't understand what a religious worker visa is, here's the answer: it's a special visa category for clergy, teachers, or church support staff.

The visa is initially granted for up to 30 months (2.5 years), with an extension available for another 30 months. Many R-1 holders later apply for a green card via the EB-4 religious worker category — and we support that process too.

You must have the appropriate specialty to obtain an R1 visa. Jobs that meet the requirements:

1. Priests, pastors, imams, rabbis, and other clergy;
2. Missionaries, monks, and religious sisters;
3. Teachers of theology, seminary instructors, catechists;
4. Church musicians, choir directors, worship leaders;
5. Administrative staff, assistants, coordinators of religious activities.

The above professions allow you to get a religious worker visa USA. The requirements are currently as follows.

Who can apply for the R-1 Visa?

Religious worker visa requirements:

• Must be a citizen of a country not under U.S. immigration sanctions;
• Must have been a member of the same denomination as the U.S. sponsor for at least 2 years;
• Must have prior experience or education in their religious role;
• Must be entering the U.S. to work full-time in a qualifying religious capacity.

A lawyer can tell you more about how to get an R1 visa for the USA, what documents are required for this, and how long the whole process takes during a consultation.

Before that, how to apply for religious worker visa in the USA, it is necessary that your sponsor also meets certain requirements:

• Must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization;
• Must have an active congregation, staff, physical premises;
• Must file a formal petition (Form I-129) and provide financial and structural documentation.

Only if the organization meets all of these factors can you obtain a immigration religious worker visa.

What does our R-1 nonimmigrant religious worker service include?

We provide this service comprehensively, taking into account all stages:

1. Consultation and eligibility review.
2. Assistance with finding a qualified U.S. religious sponsor (if needed).
3. Preparation and filing of Form I-129 and supporting documents.
4. Legal review of the sponsor's status, budget, mission, and records.
5. Gathering of personal religious records, recommendations, credentials.
6. Interview preparation and embassy support.
7. Post-arrival help: housing, Social Security number, bank account, insurance.

Thus, our clients quickly and successfully obtain a R-1 visa.

What are the advantages of applying for a R-1 visa?

For a comfortable life and work, the USA provides the following opportunities for holders of this visa category:

• Allows legal religious employment in the U.S. without investment or lottery;
• Valid for up to 5 years with an extension;
• Path to permanent residency via EB-4 (green card for religious workers);
• Family benefits — spouse and children under 21 can live in the U.S.;
• Valuable spiritual, cultural, and educational experience in an international setting.

If you want to work and live in the USA for a period of time and have the appropriate specialization, this option is ideal for you.

How much does applying for a R-1 visa?

The approximate cost is:

• Legal services & case management: $3,000 – $6,000
• Petition filing and documentation prep (Form I-129): included
• U.S. consular visa fee: $190
• Additional expenses (translations, notarizations): $300 – $700

Exact pricing depends on your country of residence, sponsor status, and document readiness. We offer installment options and a full cost estimate after the initial review.