Overview

The "R" visa is for aliens proceeding to the United States to work in a religious capacity. They include ministers of religion who are authorized to conduct religious worship and perform other duties usually performed by members of the clergy such as administering the sacraments, or their equivalent.

Period of Stay
Religious workers are initially granted a three-year period of stay which may be extended to another two (2) years. But the total stay is limited to five (5) years.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a member of a religious organization having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S for two years immediately preceding admission;
• The applicant must be entering the United States to work in a religious vocation or occupation for a religious organization or its affiliate;
• The applicant must be entering the United States solely to carry on the vocation of a minister of that religious organization, or, at the request of the organization;

The attorney can assist you in preparing and completing your application. Here’s how it works:

1. Fill out the Standard questionnaire and the payment form online. Then submit.
2. Within a few minutes, we will e-mail you a (a) Visa application questionnaire, (b) our Retainer Agreement, and (c) a checklist of documents required to support your application. Do not leave any blank spaces on the questionnaire. Enter "N/A" when the information being asked does not apply to you.
3. Print the attachments that we have e-mailed you.
4. Proceed by filling out the Visa Application Questionnaire. Do not leave any blank spaces on the questionnaire. Enter 'N/A" when the information being asked does not apply to you.
5. Review the list of required supporting documents to be attached to the Visa Application Questionnaire.
6. Sign and date the Retainer Agreement.
7. Mail all the documents back.
8. The Attorney prepares your application upon receipt of the documents from you. A copy will be e-mailed to you for review and corrections.
9. The original application will be e-mailed to you as a PDF document for printing, signing and sending back.
10. The Attorney then files your application with the BCIS.