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THE SHEENA LAW FIRM |
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Attorney & Counselor at Law |
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Religious Workers
Individuals
can pursue a religious worker visa to obtain
worker status in the United States. A
religious worker visa or R-1 visa, is a
long-term temporary visa that allows
individuals to live in the United States for
the purpose of pursuing religious work. Some
religious workers can also apply for green
cards.
There are three basic categories of workers
who are eligible for R-1 status:
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Minister - A person who is authorized to
conduct religious worship services and
to perform other duties usually
performed by authorized members of the
clergy of that religion. This includes
Buddhist monks.
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Professional Workers - A person working
in a professional capacity in a
religious vocation or occupation. This
person must have a baccalaureate degree
or a foreign equivalent in a field
related to their religious occupations.
- A
person working in a Religious Occupation
or a Religious Vocation.
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.
Factors to consider in determining a
religious denomination are:
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Ceremonies
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Common belief or statement of faith
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Duration of Visa
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Established places of worship
- Evidence
of a bona fide religious organization
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Formal code
- Form
of worship
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Presence of some form of ecclesiastical
government
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Recognized
creed and form of worship
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Religious congregation
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Religious services
In order to
receive an R-1 visa, your religious order,
denomination, community, or group must have
a tax exempt status. Unlike other
work-related visa, you are not required to
provide proof of income from a church,
mosque, synagogue, or other religious
organization in order to receive an R-1
visa. The government does require, however,
that proof be provided that your particular
religion exists.
In order to qualify you must establish
the following:
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That you have been a member of the
particular religious denomination for at
least two years.
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That you have been offered temporary
full-time employment to work as a
religious worker with a qualifying US
religious organization.
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That the religious organization is a
nonprofit organization as determined by
the Internal Revenue Service.
The
Religious Workers Visa is Suitable for:
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Foreign
nationals performing traditional
religious functions such as religious
instructors, counselors, catechists,
workers in religious health care
facilities and religious broadcasters.
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Immediate
family members of religious worker Green
Card applicants.
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Recognized
religious organizations to sponsor the
Green Card application for their
religious workers.
- Religious
workers such as ministers, priests,
nuns, rabbis, ordained deacons and monks
authorized by recognized religious
organizations to conduct religious
activities.
The Sheena
Law Firm can assist individuals and
communities interested in bringing religious
clergy and workers to the United States in
documenting their existence and tax exempt
status. We work with you and immigration
officials in order to ensure all information
is properly prepared and submitted on time.
Contact The Sheena Law Firm today to discuss
your case.
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Danny M. Sheena, P.E. |
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The Sheena Law Firm |
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2500 West Loop South, Suite 518 |
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Houston, Texas 77027 |
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(713) 224-6508 - Office |
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(713) 225-1560 - Fax |
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