Religious Worker (R) Visa for the U.S.

Overview

The Religious worker visa (R) is eligible for those religious workers who temporarily enter the U.S to work in a registered religious organization. The visa applicant must be a minister or those who directly related to spiritual work in the U.S. the visa holder can able to open a bank account, get a driving license, and enrol in the study program. There are several criteria for a religious organization. These are the following:

• It should be a non-profitable religious institute
• It should be authorized by a group tax exemption holder
• It should be associated with a religious denomination in the U.S.

Qualifications

• The applicant must meet up the following criteria to obtain a religious worker visa:
• Must be a member of religion for the last two years
• The particular religion should have a non-profitable institution in the U.S
• Must have a job in a non-profitable institution or an institution associated with religion
• Must be a minister or religious worker who work for the religious institution
• Must commit for working minimum of 20 hours per week
• Must not work in other positions except the spiritual competence

How to Apply for R Visa

There are some steps to applying for the R visa. The employer has to start the application procedure because the applicant is not allowed to do it. The application process can be done by submitting the U.S Citizenships and Immigration Services (USCIS) petition for a work permit in the U.S.

Filing the petition: The petition can be done by filling up the Form I-129. The employer or organization will pay the cost of $460 for the appeal. The organization must provide other documents to prove the eligibility of the applicants and the organization. These are as follows:

• The organization should have submitted a letter of their tax-exempt from the IRS if the organization is known as a religious organization under the IRS 501(c)(3).
• The organization also should submit a letter from the IRS which provides their status if the organization is group tax-exempt
• The organization must submit the following documents if it is not defined as a religious organization, but it has a religious association:
  • Evidence of  their tax-exempt letter from IRS
  • Proof of their religious association
  • Description of their religious activities and prove their religious purpose
  • A valid note that proves their religious association from another religious organization
• Evidence that the organization gives salary to the religious:
  • Previous salary statement of religious workers in the same positions
  • Proof of accommodation arrangement for the worker
  • Documents that show the budget for planned salary expenses
• The organization must submit the petition with these documents to establish the applicant eligibility:
  • Evidence of the applicant's tax returns in the U.S or other equivalent documents
  • Proof of the employee's ability to support themselves temporarily If they will not be paid
  • Evidence of the applicant associated with the religion for the past two years

The USCIS may ask for additional proof documents in many cases. If the request is accepted, USCIS will inform the organization and the applicant by dispatching Form I-797, Notice of Action. The applicant can start the process of application at a U.S Embassy of their home state after getting these required documents.

Fill in Form DS-160: Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is the standard form for nonimmigrant visa claimants. It will have queries on applicant data, background, as well as the determination of visit to the U.S. When the applicant confirms it, they will get an authorization page and code which they need for their document file.

Reimburse the application fee: The visa application charge for the R visas is $190. The applicant must pay this due to being able to remain with the rest of the application stages. Also, the visa petition fee, other dues may apply dependent on the affiliation of their country, and the U.S termed visa issuance charges. The total amount is dissimilar from nation to nation. After the applicant has paid the dues, they must save the money receipts and affix it to the documents file.

Book your visa interview: This visa (R) claimants between 14 and 79 years old must have an interview with the U.S Embassy. As they may have a high workload, it is wise to book the interview as early as possible. When they book their visa interview, they will get an interview approval letter which they need to carry with them on the day of the interview.

Make ready your document file: The applicant should prepare this following documents before their interview:

• A Valid passport
• A Photograph that fills up visa requirement
• DS-160 visa application confirmation page  
• DS-160 form visa application fee payment receipt  
• A valid visa interview appointment letter
• The applicant I-129 Form as evidence of petition approval
• Evidence of the applicant associated with the religion for the past two years
• A valid endorsement letters from other religious associations that applicant have
• A valid contract letter with their U.S employer
• All educational qualifications that meet up the requirement to work in a religious position like as a minister.
• Evidence of financial status or that applicant will compensate by the employer

Appear the interview: The visa interview will be regulated by authorized U.S Embassy officials. The applicant must be present on the schedule and take their documents. The assessor will ask queries about their background and aim for going to the U.S. The applicant must deliver correct information since if the authorized official feels that the applicant is not giving any particulars, the official will reject their visa request.