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R-1 Visa for Religious Workers

R-1 Visa

All religious workers who want to work in US for religious organizations, who meet all the eligibility criteria with a successful application process can work in the U.S on a R-1 visa.
A religious organization is formed by a community of people who believe and are governed by rules of an ecclesiastical government. They have organizations that are religious, who have a shared place of worship, shared code of discipline and doctrine. They worship similarly, sharing faith among their members who perform similar rituals, services, and ceremonies.
The foreign religious worker applying to work in a religious organization need to ensure that the organization is listed as a non-profit organization. with the R1 visa a religious worker can work for about 5 years.
Individuals who are directly tied to the religious work and are in a minister position are qualified to get R1 visa. With the R-1 visa an individual is allowed to live and work in the U.S for the duration of their visa. There are some workers who work part time in the U.S in religious positions. They are not prohibited from working in other countries, while travelling to the U.S for various periods of time to fulfill their work duties.
This means that if you get the R-1 visa, you are not required to stay in the U.S for the whole time that your visa is valid, but you can also go work in other countries.
Organization for hiring a religious worker need to fulfill the following conditions
  • The petitioner who is a non-profit religious organization needs to have its own Internal Revenue Service letter of 501(c)(3) and with a group tax exemption.
  • The organization has to be a non-profit organization, either one of the registered organizations in the U.S.
  • A non-profit organization affiliated with a religion which has tax exemptions under 501(c)(3) rules.
The person who is applying for the R-1 visa must fulfill the following conditions:
  • The applicant must be a member of a religion for the past two years and a minister or a person working directly in the religious occupation.
  • Applicants religion must have a non-profit organization in the U.S.
  • Find a job in the non-profit religious organization, or an organization affiliated with the religion with a commitment of working at least 20 hours per week (part-time).

Step by step application process for R1 visa

  1. Filing Form I-129
  2. Complete form DS-160
  3. Pay the R1 visa application fee
  4. Submit your R1 visa documents
  5. Attend your Interview
STEP 1: Filing Form I-129

The U.S sponsor religious organization must file a petition to USCIS to apply for R1 visa by fillingForm I-129. However, in addition to the form, the organization must attach other documents to prove their eligibility and the applicant’s eligibility.

  • The organization need to submit a letter from the IRS proving that they are tax exempt for the organization is a religious one as per the IRS 501(c)(3)
  • If the organization is group tax exempt, they must submit a letter from the IRS proving their status
If the organization has a religious affiliation but is not defined as a religious organization, then they to provide.
  • Proof that they have a religious affiliation.
  • Letter from IRS proving they are tax exempt.
  • Proof that they have a religious purpose and description of their activities.
  • A letter from another religious organization stating that the petitioning organization has a religious affiliation.
  • Proof that they compensate religious workers with a salary or in-kind benefits such as: budget documents which show planned expenses for salaries or in-kind benefits
USCIS validates all documents submitted and if approves the petition, they will issue Form I-797 to the employer which will help the applicant to apply for the visa in their home country.
us f-1b visa application
STEP 2:Complete form DS-160
  • Complete Form DS-160 -form fill
  • After successfully completing the application, you will receive a confirmation number a 10-digit number. This confirmation number is required for setting up of visa interview appointment. Set up the visa interview.
STEP 3: Pay fees
  • Petitioning fee -Visa Application Fee of $460 per applicant
  • Visa application fee-$190
  • Visa issuance fees may apply depending on the relationship of your country and the U.S
STEP 4: Documents by the applicant for R1 visa
  • Receipt of form DS-160.
  • Approval documents of forms I-129 and I-797 by USCIS.
  • A copy of current passport with all pages and any previous passports available.
  • Documents to show financial and strong ties in the home country which prove that you intend to return to your home country after your visa expires such as a deed of a property, a lease of an apartment, or letter from an employer who states that they will hire you when you return.
  • To complete the form, the applicant needs a photo in the acceptable format Photo Requirements.
  • Visa interview appointment letter.
  • Educational qualifications that prove that the applicant has the right to work in a religious position (such as a minister).
  • Proof of eligibility for the R-1 visa:
    Evidence that the applicant belongs to the religion for the past 2 years
    Recommendation letters from other religious affiliations that the applicants have had
  • Job contract with the US organization who is employing the applicant.
  • Proof of financial support for the applicant in U.S.
STEP 4: Attend interview

All applicants must attend an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in their home country where they are applying. The necessary checks on all documents will be made and interview will be scheduled by NVC.

Living In America

HOUSING IN THE USA
United States of America offers different types of housing and wide range of prices
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Transport in the United States of America is facilitated with well-developed road, air, rail...
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Opening a bank account is one of the best ways to keep your money safe.
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United States of America has a specific type of visa applicable.
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The automobile is a necessity in the United States.
SSN / TIN
A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine digit number allotted to the U.S. citizens
HOLIDAYS IN THE USA
In America there are many kinds of federal holidays and national observances every year.
SCHOOLING IN THE USA
Most of the students from different parts of the world who come to obtain a degree in USA.
HINDU TEMPLES
List of Hindu Temples in USA
ASIAN INDIAN GROCERY STORES IN USA
Indian Grocery Stores in USA, Asian Indian groceries
VISITING PARENTS
Parents visiting USA
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IMMIGRANT
Details on immigration process, eligibility requirements, application procedures, forms, fees
LIFESTYLE IN THE USA
Marriage and Family, Diet and Eating in USA, Recreation in USA
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Best India Calling Options
RENEW INDIAN PASSPORT IN USA
Renew Indian Passport in USA
MONEY TRANSFER TO INDIA
Money transfer to India
INDIAN TV CHANNELS
Options for watching Indian TV channels from the US.
OVERSEAS INDIAN STUDENTS NETWORK
OIS-NET is a comprehensive network to help Indian international students.
FACTS ABOUT USA
Useful information such as history, geography, political, economy etc.
EMERGENCY 911
In the United States 9-1-1 is the emergency telephone number.
EXTENSION OF US VISA
Extension of temporary U.S visa B-1 or B-2 due to COVID -19
BUY MANGOES IN USA
Best places to buy mangoes in USA
PAYING TAXES IN THE USA
Income tax, sales tax, property tax, payroll taxes, custom duties on import goods and estate and gift tax.

Health Insurance

IMMIGRANT INSURANCE
New immigrants to the USA include Green Card holders
SHORT TERM INSURANCE
Short Term Medical Insurance offer temporary medical insurance while in the USA.
J1 VISA INSURANCE
The US government requires all J1 exchange scholars and J2 visa dependents to have adequate medical insurance.
TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE
US travel health insurance is very important for people visiting the US.
VISITOR INSURANCE
Overseas Visitor Travel Health Insurance
STUDENT INSURANCE
International F1 student health insurance

Jobs in America

EMPLOYMENT IN USA
The US is known for its vibrant economy in state of the art technologies.
EMPLOYMENT VISA
The H1B is very important & it is necessary to apply for USA work visa / work permit.
STARTING BUSINESS
A non U.S citizen starting a business venture in America

Miscellaneous

NRI EXPERIENCES
Collection of essays and articles exploring the dilemmas facing Non-Resident Indians.
GROCERY TRANSLATIONS
Listing of common Indian grocery items in different languages
INDIANS IN USA
Currently more than 1 million Asian Indians in America.
INDIAN EMBASSIES IN USA
Indian consulates and embassies in USA
INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS
Organizations Serving NRIs Worldwide, Non Resident Indian associations globally
INDIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
The Indian American community in the United States is over a million and a half.
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