United States Religious / Missionary Visa

Category: Religious / Missionary Visa

Overview: The US R-1 visa allows foreign religious workers to temporarily enter the United States to work for a bona fide non-profit religious organization. It covers ministers, religious professionals, and those in religious vocations or occupations.

Eligibility: Applicant must be a member of a religious denomination with a non-profit U.S. organization for 2+ years and come to work as a minister or in a religious occupation/vocation for that organization.

Processing Time: ~180 days

Visa Duration: 30 months

Renewable: Yes

Work Authorisation: Not permitted

Remote Work Allowed: No

Dependants Allowed: No

Path to Residency: Yes

Path to Citizenship: No

Sponsor Required: No

Official Government Page: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/r-1-temporary-nonimmigrant-religious-workers

Summary: The US R-1 visa enables foreign religious workers to serve a non-profit US religious organization. Key eligibility includes 2+ years of membership in the sponsoring denomination. It offers a temporary stay for religious work.

View the full United States relocation guide