Immigration Attorney in NYC | R-2 Religious Dependent Visa Approval Case for Minister’s Family

The principal applicant, referred to as Pastor is an ordained Presbyterian minister who received a formal invitation from an independent Christian church in the United States to serve in a ministerial capacity consistent with R-1 eligibility requirements.

At the same time, Pastor sought to ensure that his spouse and three minor children could lawfully accompany him to the United States under R-2 dependent status, which is available to spouses and unmarried children under the age of twenty one.

An immigration attorney in NYC conducted an initial eligibility review to confirm that the religious organization qualified under federal immigration regulations and that each dependent independently met the statutory criteria for R-2 classification.

Under U.S. immigration law, R-2 visa holders are permitted to reside in the United States for the same period as the principal R-1 religious worker but are expressly prohibited from engaging in employment.

The legal strategy therefore required precise documentation demonstrating lawful intent to reside temporarily, financial support through the principal applicant, and full awareness of R-2 activity restrictions.

These requirements were addressed proactively by the immigration attorney in NYC to avoid misinterpretation during consular review.

Rather than treating the principal and dependent applications as separate matters, the immigration attorney in NYC developed a coordinated filing strategy centered on the I-129 petition for the R-1 religious worker and derivative documentation for the R-2 dependents.

This approach ensured that the family relationship, household composition, and financial arrangements were presented as a unified narrative supported by verifiable records.

As a result, USCIS approved the petition without issuing a Request for Evidence, reflecting the completeness and legal sufficiency of the submission.

A critical component of the case involved demonstrating that the minister’s compensation package and supplementary resources were sufficient to support a family of five in the United States without unauthorized employment by R-2 dependents.

The immigration attorney in NYC prepared detailed financial evidence, including church support letters, compensation statements, and household budgeting materials, to establish economic stability.

This preparation directly addressed one of the most common grounds for scrutiny in religious dependent visa cases.

Although R visas allow for extended stays, applicants must still demonstrate intent consistent with nonimmigrant classification, particularly for dependent family members.

The immigration attorney in NYC guided the family in documenting strong ties to their home country, including ongoing community connections, educational plans, and property or familial relationships.

This evidence was organized to present a clear, credible explanation of temporary intent while acknowledging the lawful scope of the religious assignment.

Prior to the interview, the attorney conducted detailed mock interview sessions addressing likely questions regarding family roles, financial support, and compliance with R-2 restrictions.

At the U.S. Embassy interview held on September 9, the family was able to respond consistently and confidently, resulting in same day approval of all R-2 visas without further administrative processing.

The outcome reflected both factual eligibility and effective legal preparation tailored to New York related immigration practice norms.