R-1 Religious Worker Visa Attorney in San Antonio, Texas

R-1 Requirements and How We Prove Them

The R-1 has clear requirements on both the worker and the organization, and USCIS verifies them closely, sometimes with a site visit.

A Qualifying Religious Worker

The worker must have been a member of the same religious denomination for at least two years before the petition, and must be coming to work as a minister or in another religious vocation or occupation. We document the membership history and the nature of the work.

A Qualifying Organization

The employer must be a bona fide nonprofit religious organization, or an affiliate, with the appropriate tax-exempt status. We help the organization assemble proof of its status and its ability to support the worker.

The Job and Compensation

The role must be religious in nature, and the organization must show how the worker will be supported, whether through salary or non-salaried support consistent with the denomination's practice. Clear documentation here prevents delays.

Site Visits

USCIS commonly conducts site visits in R-1 cases to confirm the organization and the position are genuine. We prepare congregations for that possibility so a visit is a routine confirmation rather than a surprise.

The Congregations and Workers We Support

Our R-1 clients are churches, ministries, and religious organizations across South Texas, along with the ministers, instructors, and lay workers they hope to bring on. Many of these organizations have never sponsored a worker before and are unsure what the process will ask of them, so we walk them through it in plain terms and prepare them for what to expect. For workers already serving a congregation, we look ahead to whether the R-1 can become a lasting arrangement through a special immigrant religious worker green card, and we plan the timing so ministry is never interrupted. Our bilingual team is comfortable in the settings these organizations occupy, and we handle the immigration side so leaders can stay focused on the people they serve.

An initial R-1 approval can run for up to thirty months, with an extension available beyond that, so we help organizations plan for the full period rather than treating each filing as a one-off event. Thinking ahead this way keeps a ministry staffed without last-minute gaps.

Our Process

What to Expect

What to Expect and the Green Card Path

We file the R-1 petition with USCIS on behalf of the organization, along with the evidence of the worker's membership and the organization's status. The R-1 can be granted for an initial period and extended, up to a total of five years.

For congregations that want a permanent solution, the R-1 can lead to a special immigrant religious worker green card in the EB-4 category for qualifying ministers and religious workers. Planning the temporary and permanent steps together, from the beginning, helps a congregation keep the worker it has come to rely on. Processing times vary, so we set realistic expectations and keep the case moving.

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Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney

Fewer than five percent of Texas immigration attorneys are Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Attorney Alfredo Lozano holds that distinction, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.

Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.

Learn About Our Firm

Meet

Our Team

Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.

Alfredo Lozano

Managing Attorney

Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.

Linda Hamilton

Attorney

Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.

Minerva Gonzalez

Legal Assistant

Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.

Mayra Juarez

Legal Administrator

Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.

Meet Our Full Team

R-1 Help for Congregations in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo

Faith communities are central to life across our region, and we help them bring and keep the workers who serve them, in English and Spanish. From documenting tax-exempt status to preparing for a site visit, we handle the details so the congregation can focus on its mission. Every case begins with a free consultation.

Request Your Free Consultation

Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.

R-1 Religious Worker Visa FAQs

Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum or criminal immigration cases. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.

Contact Our Immigration Lawyer

For A Free Case Evaluation