The Immigration and Nationality Act provides visa classifications for religious workers on both a permanent ( EB-4 fourth preference) and a temporary basis ( R visa) in the non immigrant category.
Many religious workers who might eventually qualify for special immigrant status arrive in the US as a R-1 nonimmigrant religious workers and then they apply for permanent Residency (EB-4).
CONDITIONS OF ADMISSIBILITY:
Member of a bona-fide nonprofit religious organization.
Or bona fide organization closely associated with a religious denomination.
Be so called a Minister which refers to an individual duly authorized by a religious denomination to conduct religious workship and perform other duties usually performed by the clergy of that religion.
Professional Capacity: activity in a religious vocation for which the minimum of a United States obtained baccalaureate degree or a foreign educational equivalent degree is required.
Religious vocation: calling to religious evidence by the demonstration of commitment to practice in the religious denomination, such as the taking of vows.
