Religious Worker Visa Overview

R Class Nonimmigrant Temporary Visa for Religious Workers

The R visa is a temporary nonimmigrant visa issued to religious workers to pursue work in their field. Typically, the R visa is issued to ministers, priests or pastors, or professional workers affiliated or employed by churches, religious organizations, or in other religious occupations.

This page contains detailed information about the application process for an R-class visa, and provides answers to many common questions about temporary nonimmigrant visas. 

What You'll Find on This Page:

  • Who Qualifies for an R Religious Worker Visa?
  • Religious Worker Visa Application Process 
    • Visa application and forms
    • Visa application fees
    • Entering the United States
  • Can I Bring Family Members into the Country with an R Visa?
  • Can I Receive a Time Extension to Stay Longer on an R Visa?

Who Qualifies for an R Visa?

"Religious workers" covers a broad class of individuals. Those eligible for an R visa may include ordained clergy members; religious professionals such as teachers, psychologists or professional counselors, with appropriate degrees and licenses, where applicable; those employed in religious occupations, such as religious instructors, cantors, choristers, mohels; or a member of a religious vocation, such as monks or nuns.

Religious Worker Visa Application process

Visa Application and Forms

Unlike other nonimmigrant visas, the R visa does not require prior approval by USCIS for issuance of the visa.

If outside the United States, you must simply submit the standard application forms, Form DS-156. Some individuals, including all male applicants between 16-45 and those coming from North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, and Iran (and other so-called “terrorist states”), will be required to complete a Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-157.

You must also possess a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay and submit a standard 2x2 photograph of yourself with your application.

Then all you must do is meet with a consular official at the nearest U.S. consulate and produce the necessary evidence proving that you are employed by a certifiable tax-exempt religious organization. The R visa may then be issued immediately by the consulate.

If you are within the United States on a different visa and are seeking a change of status to be issued an R visa, then you must complete the standard change of status document, Form I-129, “Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker,” with your sponsoring organization.

You must also possess a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay and submit a standard 2x2 photograph of yourself with your application.

Visa Application Fees

On January 1, 2008, the Department of State raised the fees for visa services. The current application fee for any visa is $131. If your application is approved and your visa is issued, you will also be charged a “visa issuance” fee of an additional $131.

Entering the United States

An R visa grants an initial period of stay for up to three years. At the port of entry, the DHS Customs and Border Protection officials will meet with you to permit or deny entry into the United States. The length of your visit will be determined on the “Arrival-Departure Record,” Form I-94.

Can I Bring Family Members into the Country with an R Visa?

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may be classified as a nonimmigrant visitor to accompany or join you, under the R-2 status. They may apply as an attachment to your R-1 visa application, or separately, with proof of the original R visa.

Anyone who receives a visa as spouse or child of a temporary worker under an R visa may not accept employment in the United States; you as the main applicant must show that you are able to support your entire family throughout your stay. However, your children or spouse may study in the U.S. without an F student visa, or may obtain a B visitor visa (or travel with no visa if qualified under the Visa Waiver Program) if not residing with you or visiting only for vacation.

Can I Receive a Time Extension to Stay Longer on an R Visa?

Yes. Before your current visa expires, a sponsoring petitioner must file the standard change of status/renewal document, Form I-129. You may also apply for a renewal for any dependents who also wish to extend their visa on this form when you submit it.

Extensions may be granted for one year, up to two times, or a total of 5 years.

Speak to an Immigration Team Member for More about the R Religious Worker Visa!

Despite the fact that R visas do not require prior approval by USCIS, the documentation required and the process can still be complicated and confusing.

To speak with an immigration team member, simply fill out our Immigration Case Evaluation Form.