Welcome to Solomon!

Enter the Access Code below

Access code is invalid

Solomon Logo

Versions Compared

Old Version 27

changes.mady.by.user Julie Thomas

Saved on

compared with

New Version 28

changes.mady.by.user Dave Meldrum-Green

Saved on

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.

...

To be eligible to submit an R-1 Visa petition, the individual will need to be a nonimmigrant/noncitizen foreign national who is coming to the United States temporarily to work at least part-time (an average of at least 20 hours per week) as a minister or in a religious vocation for a church or ministry. The individual must have been affiliated with either the partner church or ministry that is in partnership with Reliant, or must have been affiliated with Reliant in some capacity for at least two years before filing the R-1 Visa petition.

...

UI Expand
titleR-1 Visa Petition Costs

The R-1 Visa legal and application costs can be charged to the church or ministry partner project fund at Reliant, or to the MTD account for which the applicant is responsible. If charged to the MTD account, the individual is responsible raise funds for Reliant to cover these costs. 

Initial Attorney Consultation Fee: $175

Step 1: Employer's R-1 religious worker visa sponsorship petition filing

  • $2,500 Attorney fee (payable as initial retainer of $1,250, remainder due on completion of filing the R-1 petition)
  • Optional $200 Attorney fee, if adding the expedited premium processing request
  • $460 USCIS gov't filing fee for R-1 (Increase to $510 on 4/1/2024)
  • $1,685 USCIS gov't filing fee for the OPTIONAL expedited premium processing (about two weeks response time)
  • Reimbursable Costs for copies and postage (billed at the end of the process)
  • Although the R-1 petition is submitted as thoroughly as possible, in the event of a Request For Evidence (RFE) from the U.S. gov’t, the preparation for RFE response is charged hourly up to $1,500.

OPTIONAL -- Any family's R-2 change of status filing in the U.S: 

  • $800 Attorney fee for the primary applicant
  • $150, per child, Attorney fee for any children's supplement form
  • $470 USCIS gov't filing fee for the primary R-2 applicant (as of 4/1/2024)
  • Reimbursable Costs for copies and postage (billed at very end of the process)

Step 2: Religious worker's visa processing with the US Embassy abroad --- for entry to the USA and international travel

  • $205 gov't visa application fee (per person)
  • $1,000 Attorney fee (optional & per person)
  • Reimbursable Costs for copies and postage

...

UI Steps
UI Step

Initial Attorney Consultation

typically Typically 1 week from the day of request, depending on the availability of the attendees

attendees: immigration attorney, Reliant HR, partner church/ministry representative, Program Team representative (optional), R-1 Visa applicant (optional)

UI Step

Gathering & Providing Required Documents to Reliant

typically Typically 1-2 months

UI Step

File for R-1 Religious Worker Visa Sponsorship Petition

general General turnaround time is an estimated 2.5 -to 3 months

expedited Expedited premium processing (extra fee) turnaround time is typically 10 to 15 business days

R-1 Visa's are valid for 30 months before renewal or extension is required

After 30 months, subsequent extensions for up to an additional 30 months can be requested. The total period of stay in the United States under the R-1 classification cannot exceed five years (60 months)

UI Step

R-1 Visa Extensions

extension Extension request should be made 1.5 months before the expiration date of the visa

extension Extension process typically takes 2 months 

UI Step

R-1 Visa Renewals

renewal Renewal process can begin as early as 6 months before the expiration date of the visa

renewal Renewal process typically takes between 2 - 4 months



...