Special Immigrant Religious Workers

Religious institutions may qualify foreign nationals for lawful permanent residence if they can demonstrate that a foreign national:  (1) has been a member of a religious denomination that has a bona-fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States for at least 2 years immediately before the filing of a petition for this status with USCIS; (2) is coming to the U.S. to work in a full-time compensated position as a minister of the religious denomination or in a religious vocation, or a religious occupation; (3) is coming to work for either a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States or a bona-fide organization that is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States; (4) with limited exceptions, has been working as a religious worker continuously for at least 2 years immediately before filing of a petition for this status with USCIS.  However, breaks in continuity during the preceding 2 years will not affect eligibility if the foreign national was still employed as a religious worker, the break did not exceed 2 years, and the break was for further religious training or for a sabbatical, provided that the foreign national was a member of the religious denomination that seeks to employ them throughout the 2 years of qualifying employment.

If you would like to consult with an experienced HSPRD attorney about obtaining permanent residence status for yourself or for an employee of your religious organization as a Special Immigrant Religious Worker, please contact our Firm at (312) 604-2746 or info@chicagovisalawyers.com