Visas for Religious Workers

Employment Immigration Attorneys in Coppell

The foundation for the immigration law firm of Christensen Immigration Attorneys started with the two years Attorney Nathan Christensen spent living in Honduras and working as a volunteer with his church. Due to this experience, we hold a special place in our hearts for people interested in coming to the United States as religious workers. We enjoy the blessings that come from helping individuals obtain religious worker visas.

Temporary R-1 Visa Requirements

There are two ways to come to the U.S. as a religious worker, including a temporary visa and permanent residency.

To obtain a temporary R-1 visa, a foreign national must meet certain requirements, including:

• At least part time employment, for at least 20 hours per week on average, with an organization affiliated with a religious denomination
• Performing in a religious occupation
• Membership in a non-profit religious organization for at least 2 years

The religious workers' spouse and children younger than 21 may also come to the U.S. on an R-2 visa.

Petitioning Through a Religious Organization for Permanent Residence

Ministers and others working in religious occupations may be granted permanent residency for the purpose of performing full-time religious work. In order to qualify, the position must be compensated, full-time, and the foreign national must meet other eligibility requirements.

A full-time compensated position includes:

• A minister of the religious organization of which they are a member
• In a professional or nonprofessional capacity in a religious vocation
• In a professional or nonprofessional religious occupation