Applying for a green card through a church accompanist position
Hello, I completed a master’s degree in composition in the U.S. I attend church, and I’ve heard I might be able to apply for a green card through my role as a church accompanist.
I’d like to know if that’s possible, and whether I should go through the general second-preference category or religious-worker immigration. If through religious-worker immigration, I’d also like to know what kind of experience is required.
A green card application through a church can proceed under general employment-based second or third preference, or under the religious-worker fourth-preference category based on religious ministry work. Since you hold a master’s degree in composition, you could pursue second preference as a Music Director. However, given that your question specifically mentions being an accompanist, third preference would likely be more appropriate. If pursuing religious-worker immigration, you’d need two years of relevant experience — meaning, even though you’re not clergy, you would need to have been paid for and have experience performing traditional religious ministry work and duties at the church.