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To be eligible to submit an R-1 Visa petition, the individual applying will need to be a nonimmigrant/noncitizen 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 involved with the church or ministry in some capacity for at least two years before filing for the R-1 Visa petition.

Read more about the R-1 Visa process on the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Website or Travel.State.Gov Website.

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titleEmployment Details & Requirements

Hiring Date

A hire date should be determined (keeping MTD in mind) before submitting the R-1 Visa petition.

Religious Occupation & Job Description

The occupation and job description from the partner ministry should average at least 20 hours per week and include all religious duties that will be performed. 

Offer Letter

An The offer letter from Reliant should will be included with the R-1 Visa petition.

Salary Guidelines

The R-1 Visa applicant will need to be fully funded before obtaining their R-1 Visa. The minimum wage To help ensure approval, the applicant's salary should meet the prevailing wage guideline in the location where the R-1 Visa applicant will be living and working. R-1 workers must receive a full salary and cannot be short checked. 

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titleDocuments & Details Reliant Needs for R-1 Visa Petition

Please provide your Program Team with the following details to begin the R-1 Visa Petition process:

  • Permanent Home Country Address
  • Current U.S. Home Address
  • Do you have any other Visa such as a J1/J1 Exchanged Visitor Visa? (if yes, provide a copy and include expiration dates)

Please provide your Program Team with the following documents to begin the R-1 Visa Petition process:

  • Resume
  • Job Description with the ministry focus area
  • Weekly work schedule & proposed weekly work hours
  • New Staff Training Certificate
  • Amount & type of compensation (including benefits)
  • Scanned copy of current passport, biographic information, and any US Visa pages
  • Scanned copy of birth certificate

Other documents needed (if applicable)

  • Scanned copy of any certificate of ordination
  • Scanned copy of any ministerial licenses
  • Scanned copy of any religious degrees and academic transcripts
  • Scanned copy of any certificate for religious training
  • Scanned copy of the U.S. Social Security Card (front & back)
  • Scanned copy of marriage certificate

Documents needed from the Partner Ministry

  • Name & location of ministry worksite
  • Number of church/ministry members or employees
  • Date the applicant started attending the church/ministry (2-year minimum relationship required)
  • Why the applicant's position is needed
  • Letter from church/ministry confirming applicant's church membership and any ministry involvement
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titleR-1 Visa Petition Costs
R-1 Visa Consultation Fee with Attorney

Initial Attorney Consultation: $175

Step 1: Employer's R-1

Visa Non-Refundable Application Fee: $530 Expedited Premium Processing Fee: $1,685 + an extra $200 attorney fee (processes on average 15 business days instead of the estimated 2.5 months)

religious worker visa sponsorship petition filing

  • $2,500 Attorney fee (payable as initial retainer of $1,250, remainder due on completion)
  • 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)
  • $1,500 USCIS gov't filing fee for the OPTIONAL expedited premium processing
  • Reimbursable Costs for copies and postage (billed at the end of the process)
  • Although the petition is submitted as thoroughly as possible, in the event of a Request For Evidence (RFE) from the gov’t, the preparation for RFE response is charged hourly up to $1,400.

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
  • $455 USCIS gov't filing fee for the primary R-2 applicant
  • $85, per child, USCIS gov't biometrics fee 
  • 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

  • $210 gov't visa application fee (per person)
  • $1,000 Attorney fee (optional), (per person)
  • Reimbursable Costs for copies and postage
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titleVisa Renewals

R-1 Visa holders must wait until 6 months before their R-Visa's expiration date to begin the renewal process. At that time, if the R-1 Visa holder worked full-time with consistent paid employment, Reliant may also pursue the I-360 religious worker green card sponsorship petition.

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