Religious activities covered by the B-1 visa

The following is a list of religious activities which may be undertaken on a B-1 visa.  Note: Travelers who qualify for a B-1 visa may also be eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Missionary Work

If you are performing missionary work on behalf of a religious denomination you may be eligible for a B-1 visa, provided you will receive no salary or remuneration from the United States other than an allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to your stay, and the work which you are to perform in the United States will not involve the selling of articles or the solicitation or acceptance of donations. When applying for a visa, or entry into the United States with a visa or under the VWP, you should furnish a letter from your U.S. sponsor explaining in detail the nature of your visit.

Evangelical Tour

If you are to engage in an evangelical tour and do not plan to take an appointment with any one church you may be eligible for a B-1 visa, provided you will receive no remuneration from a U.S. source, other than the offerings contributed at each evangelical meeting. When applying for a visa, or entry into the United States with a visa or under the VWP, you should furnish a letter from your U.S. sponsor explaining in detail the nature of your visit.

Preaching

If you will be preaching in the United States for a temporary period, or will be exchanging pulpits with your U.S. counterpart you may be eligible for a B-1 visa, provided you will continue to be reimbursed by your church in the United Kingdom and you will receive no salary from the host church in the United States. When applying for a visa, or entry into the United States with a visa or under the VWP, you should furnish a letter from your U.S. sponsor explaining in detail the nature of your visit.

Voluntary Service Program

If you will participate in a voluntary service program which benefits a U.S. local community, and you establish that you are a member of, and have a commitment to, a particular recognized religious or nonprofit charitable organization, you may be eligible for a B-1 visa if the work to be performed is traditionally done by volunteer charity workers; you will receive no salary or remuneration from a U.S. source, other than an allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to your stay in the United State; and you will not engage in the selling of articles and/or the solicitation and acceptance of donations.

A voluntary service program is an organized project conducted by a recognized religious or nonprofit charitable organization to provide assistance to the poor or the needy, or to further a religious or charitable cause.

If your proposed activities as a voluntary worker are not exactly as described, you will require either an exchange visitor (J-1) or temporary worker (H-2B) visa. 

When applying for entry into the United States as a voluntary worker with a visa or under the VWP, you should furnish a letter from your U.S. sponsor which contains the following information:

• Your name and date and place of birth;
• Your foreign permanent residence address;
• The name and address of initial destination in the U.S.; and
• The anticipated duration of your assignment