U.S relaxes visa rules for pastors, imams

The United States (US) government has relaxed visa rules for temporary religious workers on “R-1” visas.

These workers will still need to leave the country briefly when their visa expires, but they are now allowed to apply to come back right away.

Previously, these workers which includes pastors, priests, and imams were forced to leave the US for an entire year once they hit a five-year limit.

This one-year gap often caused a gap for churches and mosques that relied on them.

Read also: US visa ban seen threatening Nigeria’s $24bn remittance inflows

This means they can return to their congregations and families in the US without waiting for twelve months abroad.

A spokesperson for the DHS explained the decision by saying, “We are taking the necessary steps to ensure religious organisations can continue delivering the services that Americans depend on. Pastors, priests, nuns, and rabbis are essential to the social and moral fabric of this country.”

A relief for faith leaders The change has been met with celebrations from religious groups who say the old rules were tearing communities apart.

This news is particularly important for Nigeria, which sends a large number of religious workers to the United States every year. Whether it is Catholic priests helping with the shortage of clergy in America or pastors from churches like the RCCG, many of Nigerians are currently working in US ministries.

Read also:Violators could face permanent ban over US visa overstay

For these Nigerians, the old rule was a source of great stress. Many had to choose between leaving their families behind for a year or removing their children from school to move back to Nigeria temporarily. This new rule provides much-needed stability.

However, experts warn that there is still a long road ahead. While the “one-year gap” is gone, there is still a massive backlog of people waiting for permanent residency.

US-based Raymond Lahoud, a lawyer who sued the government over these delays, noted that while this is a good result, “the underlying issue is they still have to wait a decade for a green card. So the uncertainty continues until Congress will work together.”

About the R-1 visa

The primary route for those entering the country for spiritual work is the R-1 non-immigrant visa, a temporary permit designed for ministers, those in religious vocations such as monks and nuns, and professionals in specific religious occupations like missionaries or cantors.

To qualify for this status, an individual must have been a member of their specific denomination for at least two years prior to their application. The role itself must be within a qualifying non-profit religious organisation in the US, and the worker is expected to commit to at least 20 hours of service per week.

The process begins when a US-based employer files a specific petition, known as Form I-129, with the immigration authorities. Once this is approved, the worker can then apply at a US embassy or consulate. Initially, the visa is granted for 30 months, though it can be extended for a maximum stay of five years. For those moving with their families, the R-2 visa allows spouses and children under the age of 21 to accompany the religious worker.

Ngozi Ekugo is a Senior Correspondent at BusinessDay. She holds a Masters in management from the University of Lagos, an undergraduate from University of Lagos, and is in an alumni of Queen's College. Shes currently an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). She has a brief experience at Goldman sachs, London in its Human Capital Management division. She is interested in human capital development and is leveraging her varied experience across sectors to report labour and global mobility trends for stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date