Is Your Masjid in Need of an Imam? The R-1 Visa May Be Your Answer

By Masood Khan, Esq.

(This column is not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a legal professional for your particular case. ) With the number of Muslims growing in the United States, there is a greater demand for Islamic institutions. Such institutions require that qualified religious scholars with proper religious training and experience run them. Islamic centers and mosques in the United States are able to sponsor Imams and religious directors from overseas through the “R” visa.
To qualify for an R visa, the applicant must be · A minister. In the case of Islamic institutions, an Imam properly trained from an established Islamic institution would be the equivalent of a “minister.” · A person working in a professional capacity in a religious occupation or vocation, or · A person who works for a religious organization or an affiliate in a religious occupation who has been a member of the religious group for at least two years immediately preceding the R-1 application.

What qualifies as a “Religious Denomination”?

Under immigration laws, a religious denomination is defined as a religious group that has some form of ecclesiastical government, a common belief or statement of faith, some form of worship, a set of religious guidelines, religious services and
ceremonies, established places for worship, religious congregations or comparable organized religious structure. Islam will obviously fit into this category.

What are examples of “Religious Occupations”?

A religious occupation is an activity relating to “traditional religious functions.” Examples of religious occupations include liturgical workers, religious instructors, religious counselors, workers in religious hospitals or religious health care facilities, religious translators or religious broadcasters. This would allow qualified Qur’an teachers, Imams and individuals trained in the traditional Islamic sciences to qualify. Maintenance workers, clerks and fundraisers who work for religious institutions are not eligible under this category.

What is a “Religious Vocation”?


A religious vocation is defined as “a calling to religious life”. This calling must be shown through the demonstration of commitment to the religious denominations. For example, for Christian institutions this would include the taking of vows for nuns or monks. For Muslims, this commitment would be shown through attendance in an Islamic institution of learning, receiving of a religious degree or having a consistent curriculum or commitment through organized Islamic institutions in learning the Islamic sciences.

How does a person apply for an R visa?

If an applicant is outside the US, he or she can apply for an R-1 visa without prior USCIS approval by going to the closest consulate or embassy and present the required evidence and be issued the visa on the spot. If a person is already in the US and wishes to change from one nonimmigrant category to R-1 status, an application must be made domestically with the USCIS.


What evidence needs to accompany an R visa
application?

Among the most important evidence that must be presented by the applicant is proof of the sponsoring institution’s tax exempt status or eligibility to receive tax exempt status in the US. Under the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) § 101(a)(15)(R) and 8 CFR § 214.2(r), religious entities applying on behalf of religious workers must be “exempt from taxation as organizations described in IRC § 501(c)(3) as it relates to religious organizations.” The regulations require these organizations show they either are exempt under 501(c)(3) as a religious organization, such as a church, or have the documentation required by the Internal Revenue Service to be eligible for exemption as a religious organization under 501(c)(3). The Department of Homeland Security however, may go to great lengths in scrutinizing all supporting documents due to considerable fraud occurring in the religious worker category.
In addition, the sponsoring organization would also submit a letter on behalf of the R-1 visa holder. This letter should outline the applicant’s two-year minimum membership, including where that membership occurred, in or out of the US. It should also include a statement that the foreign-based religious group and the US-based religious group for which the applicant will work belong to the same denomination.

How long is the R status valid?

The maximum stay in R-1 status is 5 years. A person can obtain R-1 status again after remaining outside the US for one year before making another application.

What visa status would the spouse and children of an R-1 nonimmigrant receive?

Spouses and children of R-1 non-immigrants and classified as R-2. They are not permitted to work unless they have their own work visas.

What is the difference between special immigrant religious worker category for green card applicants and R-1 non-immigrant visas?

The R-1 visa is temporary and the special immigrant religious worker visa is permanent because if approved, it results in the applicant receiving a Green Card. Similar to the R-1, an applicant for a green card as a special immigrant religious worker must have been working for the religious group for at least two years prior to making the application. This work may be done either in or out of the US. In most cases where the work is done in the US, the person has been in the US on an R-1 visa. (Masood Khan is an attorney with Khan & Associates. He is a member of the California State Bar. He can be reached via email at Mkhanlaw@aol.com or at 888 542-6529.)



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