If you’ve been working as a religious worker in the United States for at least two (2) years, you can start the process of becoming a permanent resident by applying for USCIS Form I-360. Here’s a step by step guide on how to fill out USCIS Form I-360.
Before you proceed, make sure that you have read this article: http://cluelessintheus.com/from-r1-visa-to-permanent-resident-how-to-apply-for-eb-4-green-card-special-immigrant-religious-worker/.
Download the USCIS Form I-360
Go to https://uscis.gov/i-360 to download the form, the instructions, and the optional checklist. Familiarize yourself with the form and start preparing the supporting documents you’ll need.
Take your R-1 Visa Supporting Documents and use them as reference.
Almost all of the documents that you and your employer submitted for the I-129 petition for your R-1 visa will come in handy for the I-360. In fact, thanks to those documents, I was able to easily navigate the requirements for the i-360.
Watch this step-by-step video guide.
If you’re more of a “show-me-how” type of person, please watch this video tutorial I published on my YouTube channel.
List of Documents You Need to Prepare
Here’s a list of documents you need to prepare.
- Cover Letter. Download a free cover letter here: http://cluelessintheus.com/i360-cover-letter
- Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
- Letter of Support from employer, with additional supporting documents (see below)
- Copies of current passport with current R-1 visa, R-1 Extension Approval Notice, initial R-1 Approval Notice, prior passport with R-1 visa, and most recent I-94 Admission Document;
- Copies of spouse’s current passport, R-2 extension approval notice, prior passport with R-2 visa, and I-94 admission document;
- Copies of child’s current passport, R-2 extension approval notice, prior passport with R-2 visa, and I-94 admission document;
- Copy of marriage certificate;
- Copy of the birth certificate of child; and
- Filing fees in the amount of $435 (Form I-360) in Postal Money Order.
Additional documents in addition to letter of support from employer:
- Excerpts from the website or organizing document of your employer, showing the kind of work it does, including work that you do;
- Tax exemption notice from the IRS confirming the tax exempt status of your employer
- Recent printout from the IRS’s Exempt Organizations Select Check Website (http://apps.irs.gov/eos/) confirming that your employer and the religious organization it belongs to remains tax-exempt;
- Letter from the IRS confirming the Employer ID Number (EID) of your employer;
- Job Description for your position
- Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules of your organization (to show that it is in good financial standing and has the ability to pay for your salary).
- Your certificate of baptism or proof of membership in your church or religion;
- Letter or certification from your pastor, bishop, or religious leader that you’ve been a member for at least two years prior to applying for the R1 visa and Permanent Lawful Residence.
- Carefully review the Instructions for the USCIS Form I-360 and provide any other document that could support your application.
Questions?
If you have any questions, suggestions, and if I miss anything, just leave them in the comments below and I will answer to the best of my knowledge and experience!
