This visa was designed to meet the needs of religious workers temporarily working in the U.S. and it allows for much broader activity.  A person holding the R-1 classification may solicit donations, and/or work in the U.S. for the religious organization which petitioned for him/her for up to five years.  Essentially the regulations require only that the religious worker have two years of previous membership with the religious organization which is offering the employment.  The membership must be Aimmediately prior to filing the petition@.  If the beneficiary is not in the United States at the time of filing, he/she will file the petition at the US Consulate.  The US Consul issues a visa so that the beneficiary will be able to travel while in an R-1 classification.  The petition need not be submitted to CIS for adjudication.  The filing fee varies with the Consulate.