An alien who, for at least the two (2)
years immediately preceding the time of application for admission, has
been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide nonprofit
religious organization in the United States, may be admitted temporarily
to the United States to carry on the activities of a religious worker
for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
The alien must be coming to the United
States for one of the following purposes:
- solely to carry on the vocation of
a minister of the religious denomination;
- to work for the religious
organization at the request of the organization in a professional
capacity; or to work for the organization, or a bona fide
organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination,
at the request of the organization in a religious vocation or
occupation.
An extension may be authorized for a
period of up to two (2) years. The worker's total period of stay may not
exceed five (5) years.
Neither the spouse (R-2) nor any child
(R-2) may accept employment while in the United States in R-2
nonimmigrant status.
