R Visas
Who Qualifies:
A minister:
Deacons, practitioners of Christian Science and officers of the Salvation Army may be deemed ministers; or
A person working in a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation;
Professional capacity is an occupation requiring a B.A. degree or foreign equivalent degree;
Religious occupation is activity which relates to traditional religious function, e.g., cantors, liturgical workers, translators, religious broadcasters, worker in religious hospitals, but not if they are performing lay work (e.g., nurses not eligible). Does not include clerks, fundraisers, or maintenance workers.
Religious vocation relates to traditional religious function, e.g., nun, monk; or
A person working for a religious organization or its §501(c)(3) affiliate in a religious vocation or occupation.
Requirements:
Applicant must have been a member of the religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S. for 2 years immediately preceding the application.;
Factors to consider to determine bona fide religious denomination are the presence of some form of ecclesiastical government, a recognized creed and form of worship, a formal code of doctrine and disciplines; religious services and ceremonies, established places of religious worship, and religious congregations;
Membership is established by letter from appropriate official.
Admission:
Entry limited to 5 years (Initial period for 3 years);
Spouse and/or children may accompany or follow to join on R-2 visas;
Evidence:
Tax exemption of U.S. organization or documentation required to obtain IRS;
Letter from authorized official employing person. The letter must establish that person has required 2-year membership, if the membership was maintained in whole or part outside the U.S., and that the foreign and U.S. religious organization belong to the same religious denomination. The letter must also establish the person's qualifications, remuneration and the name and location of the U.S. organization.
NOTICE: Nothing on this web site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. All information provided here is general in nature, and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. For sound legal advice, consult an attorney experienced in immigration law.
Sending an email, faxing documents, or completing a questionnaire does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Guyton Thuente, P.A., either express or implied. Only the conclusion of a contractual agreement between Guyton Thuente, P.A. and the person seeking legal representation can formalize such a relationship.
A minister:
Deacons, practitioners of Christian Science and officers of the Salvation Army may be deemed ministers; or
A person working in a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation;
Professional capacity is an occupation requiring a B.A. degree or foreign equivalent degree;
Religious occupation is activity which relates to traditional religious function, e.g., cantors, liturgical workers, translators, religious broadcasters, worker in religious hospitals, but not if they are performing lay work (e.g., nurses not eligible). Does not include clerks, fundraisers, or maintenance workers.
Religious vocation relates to traditional religious function, e.g., nun, monk; or
A person working for a religious organization or its §501(c)(3) affiliate in a religious vocation or occupation.
Requirements:
Applicant must have been a member of the religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S. for 2 years immediately preceding the application.;
Factors to consider to determine bona fide religious denomination are the presence of some form of ecclesiastical government, a recognized creed and form of worship, a formal code of doctrine and disciplines; religious services and ceremonies, established places of religious worship, and religious congregations;
Membership is established by letter from appropriate official.
Admission:
Entry limited to 5 years (Initial period for 3 years);
Spouse and/or children may accompany or follow to join on R-2 visas;
Evidence:
Tax exemption of U.S. organization or documentation required to obtain IRS;
Letter from authorized official employing person. The letter must establish that person has required 2-year membership, if the membership was maintained in whole or part outside the U.S., and that the foreign and U.S. religious organization belong to the same religious denomination. The letter must also establish the person's qualifications, remuneration and the name and location of the U.S. organization.
NOTICE: Nothing on this web site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. All information provided here is general in nature, and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. For sound legal advice, consult an attorney experienced in immigration law.
Sending an email, faxing documents, or completing a questionnaire does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Guyton Thuente, P.A., either express or implied. Only the conclusion of a contractual agreement between Guyton Thuente, P.A. and the person seeking legal representation can formalize such a relationship.
