The R-1 Visa allows religious workers to temporarily enter the United States in order to pursue their work for a period not to exceed 5 years.

In order to successfully qualify for this visa, the applicant must be a member of the sponsoring religious denomination for at least two years immediately preceding the application and (1) a minister; (2) a person working in a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation; or (3) a person who will work for a religious organization in a religious vocation or occupation.

Regulatory Definition [8 CFR §214.2(r)(3)]
A "minister" is an individual who:
• Is fully authorized by a religious denomination, and fully trained according to the denomination's standards, to conduct religious worship and perform other duties usually performed by authorized members of the clergy of that denomination;
• Is not a lay preacher or person not authorized to perform duties usually performed by clergy;
• Performs activities with a rational relationship to the religious calling of the minister; and
• Works solely as a minister in the United States, which may include administrative duties incidental to the duties of a minister.

A "religious vocation" is defined [8 CFR §214.2(r)(3)]
A formal lifetime commitment, through vows, investitures, ceremonies, or similar indicia, to a religious way of life. The religious denomination must have a class of individuals (i.e., nuns, monks, etc.) whose lives are dedicated to religious practices and functions, as distinguished from the secular members of the religion.

A "religious occupation" must meet the following requirements [8 CFR §214.2(r)(3)]
The duties must primarily relate to the traditional religious function and be recognized as a religious occupation within the denomination.

The duties must primarily relate to, and must clearly involve, inculcating or carrying out the religious creed and beliefs of the denomination.

The duties do not include positions that are primarily administrative or support such as janitors, maintenance workers, clerical employees, fund raisers, persons solely involved in the solicitation of donations, or similar positions, although limited administrative duties that are only incidental to religious functions are permissible.

Religious study or training for religious work does not constitute a religious occupation, but a religious worker may pursue study or training incident to status.