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The R nonimmigrant visa is reserved for three types of religious workers:
- Ministers
- Persons working in a professional capacity, either in a religious vocation or occupation
- Other religious workers working in a religious occupation or in a religious vocation
Requirements:
The petitioning church in the U.S. must be a non-profit religious denomination recognized
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- R-1 ministers must be ordained or otherwise duly authorized by the religious denomination
to perform ministerial duties and be a member of an affiliated religious denomination abroad
- R-2 religious professionals must show that a BS/BA degree is required for entry into the
field and that the alien possesses such a degree. The regulations do not permit an
equivalency to a degree based on a combination of experience and education.
- R-3 other religious workers, such as liturgical workers, religious instructors, counselors,
cantors, catechists, workers in religious hospitals or heath care facilities, missionaries,
religious translators or broadcasters. Specifically excluded are janitors, clerks, fund
raisers or persons involved solely in solicitation of donations.
Other requirements/considerations:
- For all classifications, the alien beneficiary must be or have been a
member of an affiliated religious organization abroad for at least two years
- Affiliated organization includes closely related, inter-denominational churches
- Maximum stay is five years
- Spouse and dependent children can accompany the principal
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