An R-1 is a foreign national who is going to the United States temporarily to be employed at least part time (average of at least 20 hours per week) by a non-profit religious organisation in the United States (or an organisation which is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States) to work as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation.
To qualify, the applicant must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organisation in the United States for at least 2 years immediately before the filing of the petition.
A prospective or existing U.S. employer must file Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, on behalf of an R-1 worker. An R-1 visa cannot be issued at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad without prior USCIS approval of Form I-129.
Both the applicant (religious worker) and the petitioning organisation must satisfy certain requirements.
The successful applicant may stay in the US for up to 30 months, with possible extension.