At Patel Law Group, we are excited to share a remarkable success story that underscores our commitment to excellence in immigration law. Our team was engaged to handle an R-1 visa case on January 28, 2025. After gathering all the required evidence, we filed the petition under premium processing on March 11, 2025. Just two days later, on March 13, 2025, our client’s petition was approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE)!
This swift approval highlights our dedication and proficiency in navigating complex immigration processes. The R-1 visa is specifically designed for religious workers, enabling individuals to temporarily work in religious roles within the United States. This visa plays a crucial role in fostering cultural and spiritual exchange, allowing religious organizations to bring qualified individuals to the U.S. to fulfill essential roles.
Key Highlights of the R-1 Visa Process
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Premium Processing: By opting for premium processing, we ensured an expedited review of the petition, which significantly reduced the waiting time for our client.
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No Request for Evidence (RFE): The absence of an RFE in this case is a testament to the thoroughness and precision with which we prepared the petition, ensuring all necessary documentation and information were provided upfront.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Employment Entity: The R-1 visa applicant must be employed by:
- A non-profit religious organization in the U.S.
- A religious organization that is tax-exempt.
- A non-profit organization affiliated with a religious denomination in the U.S.
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Membership Duration: Evidence is required to demonstrate that the religious worker is a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least two years immediately prior to filing the R-1 petition.
Compensation:
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R-1 nonimmigrants must receive either salaried or non-salaried compensation. Salaried compensation is typically issued as a paycheck, while non-salaried compensation may include benefits such as housing, transportation, or health insurance. Alternatively, the individual may be self-supporting if participating in a recognized missionary program.
Filing Process:
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A U.S. employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, on behalf of the noncitizen seeking R-1 classification. The filing fee is $510.00, with an additional $1,685.00 for premium processing.
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USCIS may conduct on-site inspections to verify the information provided in the petition, including the religious worker’s duties, work hours, and compensation.
Period of Stay:
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The R-1 visa is initially granted for up to 30 months, with the possibility of extensions for an additional 30 months. The total duration of R-1 status cannot exceed five years (60 months).
Employer Obligations:
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Employers must notify USCIS within 14 calendar days of any changes in the religious worker’s employment status, such as reduced work hours, termination, or resignation.
R-2 Dependents:
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The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an R-1 visa holder may qualify for R-2 classification as dependents. However, R-2 dependents are not authorized to work in the U.S.
Conclusion
This success story exemplifies Patel Law Group’s expertise in handling immigration cases with precision and care. Our team’s ability to secure a quick approval for an R-1 visa without an RFE demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients.
If you have any questions regarding the R-1 visa, please reach out to PLG Partner Chris Prescott at cprescott@patellegal.com.