|
|
SD (Immigrant Religious Workers)
The SD Immigrant Religious Worker status falls under the fourth preference special immigrant category. Religious workers include ministers of religion who are authorized by a recognized denomination to conduct religious worship and perform other duties usually performed by members of the clergy such as administering the sacraments, or their equivalent. The term, religious workers, do not apply to lay preachers.
Religious vocation means a calling to religious life, evidenced by the demonstration of a lifelong commitment, such as taking of vows, i.e., nuns, monks and religious brothers and sisters. Religious occupation also includes habitual engagement in an activity which relates to a traditional religious function like liturgical workers, religious instructors or cantors, catechists, workers in religious hospitals, missionaries, religious translators or religious broadcasters. The activity of a lay-person who will be engaged in a religious occupation must relate to a traditional religious function.
To be eligible for the SD Immigrant Religious Worker category, the religious worker must have been a member of a religious denomination, for the past two years, which has a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the United States. The religious worker must have been carrying on the vocation, professional work, or other work described below, continuously for the past two years; and is seeking to enter the United States solely: i) as a minister of that denomination; or ii) in a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation for that organization; or iii) in a religious vocation or occupation for the organization or its nonprofit affiliate.
Contact our office for more information at (800) 733-0849 or email us to schedule a free consultation: |