This page outlines what the Partner should know before moving forward with an international candidate for a ministry role with Reliant.
Be sure to read through the R-1 Visa Petition Process to understand whether it's a viable option for your candidate. To confirm the viability of an R1 Visa for a potential Reliant worker, a consultation with our lawyer is necessary. |
If the lawyer affirms we have a path forward with the USCIS and the candidate agrees they'd like to move forward...
- The Partner can continue the application and onboarding process through Breezy.
- Reliant and our immigration lawyer will work with the candidate to collect the necessary information.
- Reliant will ask the Partner how initial legal fees should be paid (by the church or the applicant).
- The Partner is asked to sign an R-1 Sponsorship Guarantor Agreement.
- This establishes that the partner organization will act as the financial guarantor for the employee’s ministry-related costs (assuming we proceed with hiring). SEE SHORTCHECKING IMPLICATIONS BELOW.
- This outlines expectations around ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration requirements, promptly reporting any changes, and providing necessary support throughout the visa duration. SEE HOURS AND SALARY MINIMUMS BELOW.
Why an R-1 Sponsorship Guarantor Agreement?
Visa holders can't be shortchecked. For those who don't reach 100% of their support goal and run into insufficient funds to cover their total payroll expenses, Reliant cannot issue a shortcheck and will pay them their full accepted gross pay.
- This may cause the MTD account the worker is responsible for to go negative, at which point, Reliant asks the Partner to recoup any negative ending balance.
- This may lead the church to terminate the employee to avoid a negative MTD balance.
- For this reason, we have a minimum requirement of 75% of MTD completed before hiring.
Visa holders must maintain a certain number of hours to maintain their visa eligibility:
- OPT Visas = 20 hours/week minimum
- R1 Visa = 35 hours/week minimum
Salary minimums are also required and depend on their household (marital status, dependents).
- 125% of the Health & Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines, which are subject to change every year and updated in mid-January.
- It's uncommon that standard parameters don't meet this minimum