Embassy of the United States Athens, Greece

The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act provides nonimmigrant status to qualified persons who wish to work temporarily as Religious Workers in the United States.  You may qualify for a religious worker’s visa if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States;
2. The religious denomination and its affiliate, if applicable, are exempt from taxation;
3. You have been a member of the organization for two years immediately preceding application for admission;
4. You are coming to the United States to work at least in a part time position (average of at least 20 hours per week);
5. You are entering the United States solely as a minister or to perform a religious vocation or occupation (in either a professional or nonprofessional capacity);
6. You are coming to or remaining in the United States at the request of the petitioner to work for the petitioner;
7. You will not work in the United States in any capacity not approved in a DHS-approved petition;
8. You are the spouse or child of an R-1 nonimmigrant, accompanying or following-to-join the R-1 nonimmigrant; and
9. You have previously spent five years in this classification, you have resided and been physically present outside the United States for the immediate prior year, except for brief visits for business or pleasure.
   
   All aliens applying for R-1 visa (Religious Worker) must be beneficiaries of an approved petition.  If USCIS approves the petition, you will be sent a Notice of Action (Form I-797).  Once you have your Form I-797, you may apply for your visa at the Embassy.

Filing a petition with USCIS

The employment must be approved in advance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of a petition, form I-129, filed by the employer with the USCIS Service Center.  Any questions which you may have concerning this process should be addressed to the appropriate USCIS office in the United States.

Applicants who wish to apply for religious workers’ visa must come in person to the U.S. Embassy.  To schedule an appointment, please click here

Documents required for R visa are:

1. 1. A valid passport that has been signed by the applicant and, where applicable,
   
   • Previous passport with previously issued visa or
   • Police report in case of theft or loss of a previous passport with valid visa.  The report may be issued by a local police station or consular office or other foreign authority.
   • If you have ever been arrested and /or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States, you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application.
2. The paid duplicate receipt from Piraeus Bank (see step 3).
3. The printed confirmation page containing the barcode generated by the DS-160 online application form (see step 4).
4. One photograph that meets the required specifications (see step 5). Even if you have successfully uploaded the photo to the DS-160 please bring one with you on the day of your appointment.
5. The original, photocopy or facsimile copy of the Notice of Action, Form I-797A, B or C.  The application cannot be processed without this form.

Definitions:

Religious denomination.  A religious denomination is a religious group or community of believers.  Among the factors that may be considered in determining whether a group constitutes a 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 discipline, religious services and ceremonies, established places of religious worship, and religious congregations.  For purposes of this definition, an interdenominational religious organization which is exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 will be treated as a religious denomination.
Bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States.  For purposes of this section, a bona fide nonprofit religious organization is an organization exempt from taxation as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it relates to religious organizations, or one that has never sought such exemption but establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer that it would be eligible therefore if it had applied for tax exempt status.
Bona fide organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination.  A bona fide organization affiliated with the religious denomination is an organization which is both closely associated with the religious denomination and exempt from taxation as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it relates to religious organizations.

Minister of religion.  A minister is an individual who is duly authorized by a recognized religious denomination to conduct religious worship and to perform other duties usually performed by authorized members of the clergy of that religion.  A minister does not include a lay preacher who is not authorized to perform such duties.  In all cases, there must be a reasonable connection between the activities performed and the religious calling of a minister.

Professional capacity.  Working in a professional capacity means engaging in an activity in a religious vocation or occupation or for which the minimum of a United States baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent degree is required for entry into that field of endeavor.
Religious occupation.  A religious occupation is the habitual employment or engagement in an activity which relates to a traditional religious function.  Examples of individuals in religious occupations include, but are not limited to liturgical workers, religious instructors, religious counselors, cantors, catechists, workers in religious hospitals or religious health care facilities, missionaries, religious translators, or religious broadcasters.  This group does not include janitors, maintenance workers, clerks, fund raisers, or persons solely involved in the solicitation of donations.

Religious vocation.  A religious vocation is a calling to religious life evidenced by the demonstration of commitment practiced in the religious denomination, such as the taking of vows.  Examples of individuals with a religious vocation include, but are not limited to nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.