What are the differences between the R-1 nonimmigrant visa and the immigrant religious worker visa?
Time in the United States. The R-1 nonimmigrant visa is a temporary visa, with a maximum stay of five years. In contrast, obtaining permanent residence through the immigrant religious worker visa allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. Requirements. To obtain R-1 nonimmigrant status, the applicant must have been a member of the sponsoring organization’s religious denomination for the two years immediately before the petition is filed. To obtain permanent residency, the applicant must have actually worked for two years in the capacity that he or she plans to work in the United States. Because of this difference, it is common for religious workers to initially enter the United States on an R-1 visa and then apply for permanent residence two years later.
