Welcome To The ByLaw, A Perfect Legal Solution.

R-1 Visa – Religious Workers

R-1 Visa Lawyer

Helping Clients Achieve the American Dream

R-1 Visas are available to members of the clergy and also to key employees of religious organizations. The R-1 Visa enables religious workers to temporarily enter the United States. A religious vocation is defined as a calling to religious life, shown by a demonstration of a lifelong commitment; for instance, taking vows. Nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters are examples of religious workers. A religious occupation is defined as a continual engagement in an activity related to a traditional religious function. This definition includes liturgical workers, religious instructors or cantors, catechists, workers in religious hospitals, missionaries, religious translators and religious broadcasters. However, it doesn’t include janitors, maintenance workers, clerks, fund raisers, or solicitors of donations.

The spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 years of age may be granted derivative status to enter the U.S. They are not authorized to work while in the U.S., but may attend school.

STEPS

The petitioning organization files an I -129 petition along with supporting documentation with the USCIS. Once the petition has been approved, the Beneficiary of the approved petition applies for the R-1 Visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over the place of his/her permanent residence. One does not need to maintain a residence abroad which one has no intention of abandoning but must intend to leave the U.S. at the end of your R-l status.

DOCUMENTS

To get a list of documents that must be submitted at the time of the interview, please visit the website for the U.S. Consulate where the visa application is being submitted.

Get In Touch:

Your Name

Email Address

Phone Number

How did you hear about us?

Are you a new client?

Message

By checking this box, I agree to receive SMS messages about Customer Care and Marketing from Fayad Law, P.C. at the phone number provided above. The SMS frequency may vary. Data rates may apply. Text HELP to (804) 249-4747 for assistance. Reply STOP to opt out of receiving SMS messages. View Privacy Policy & SMS Terms of Use

Contacts:

Nash J. Fayad

Founder & Managing Attorney

Richmond VA, Fairfax VA

Dariel Cancel

Partner & Managing Attorney EOIR Division

Fairfax VA, Washington DC

Scott Caslow

EOIR Attorney

Richmond VA

Patricia Wonder

USCIS Senior Attorney

Fairfax VA

Providing Legal Counsel for Clients Globally

R-1 Visa – Religious Workers Related Services

At Fayad Law, P.C., we offer more than 20 years of combined legal experience to our clients, who include individuals, families, and employers. With a distinguished team of U.S.-based immigration lawyers—serving clients across the nation and around the world—and a global network of top-tier professionals, many of whom share immigrant journeys themselves, we bring both personal insight and unwavering dedication to securing the best possible outcome in your case. When you work with our firm, we will treat you as a real person with very real concerns and goals, rather than as a file or case number.

Expert