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United StatesWork permitsLast checked October 30, 2026

R-1 temporary religious worker

Official name: R-1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Worker

For ministers and people in religious vocations or occupations coming to work for a US nonprofit religious organisation at least part time (an average of at least 20 hours a week). The employer files Form I-129 with the R-1 Classification Supplement; you cannot petition for yourself. You must have been a member of the same type of religious denomination for at least 2 years before the petition. The first stay is up to 30 months, with extensions up to 5 years in total. USCIS fee: $510 for an R petition, and nonprofits pay no Asylum Program Fee. USCIS may inspect the work site.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Finance

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Ministers and religious workers coming to work for a US nonprofit religious organisation or a nonprofit affiliated with a religious denomination.

Eligibility

  • US nonprofit religious employerEmployer

    • The petitioner must be a bona fide nonprofit religious organisation in the US (with its own tax exemption or covered by a group exemption) or a bona fide nonprofit organisation affiliated with a religious denomination in the US.
    • It files Form I-129 with the R-1 Classification Supplement (including the employer attestation) and must list all work locations.
    • If you work for more than one employer, each generally files its own petition.
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  • 2 years' denomination membership

    You need to have been a member of the same type of religious denomination as the petitioner for at least 2 years before filing.

    At least 2 years

    Membership required · immediately before petition filed

    Official wording

    You must have been a member of the same type of religious denomination as the petitioner for at least the 2 years immediately before the petition is filed.

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  • Religious role, at least 20 hours a week

    You need to work at least part time, averaging at least 20 hours a week, in a religious role you are qualified for.

    20 hours

    Minimum weekly hours · average, at least

    • Role: minister, or a religious vocation or occupation
    • Ministers provide ordination or similar evidence
    Official wording

    You must work at least part time, averaging at least 20 hours a week, as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation, and be qualified for the role (ministers provide ordination or similar evidence).

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SourceVolume 2, Part O, Chapter 2: General Requirementsuscis.govChecked Oct 30, 2026

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