Religious Ministers or Workers - R Visas

(return to visa categories)

Pursuant to regulations published recently by the Department of Homeland Security, all applicants seeking R nonimmigrant status must have a valid I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Alien Worker before applying.  Thus, all sponsoring employers of R visa applicants must file I-129 petitions with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for aliens for whom R immigrant status is sought.  Self-petitions will not be accepted.  All approved petitions are verified through PIMS, the Petition Information Management Service, prior to issuance.  For more information regarding the I-129 petition, please consult the USCIS Temporary Workers and Required Documentation – Temporary Workers web pages.

Applicants in possession of a valid I-129 petition may apply for a visa appointment at the Consulate General in Amsterdam.  They must follow all standard application procedures, which can be found elsewhere on our website:

http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/how_apply_types_niv.html.

Spouses, Children and Partners
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require derivative R-2 visas.  In order to establish entitlement to derivative status, R-2 applicants must demonstrate familial relationship with the principal applicant.

Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas, or if qualified, travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
More information for partners and common-law spouses.

Studying and Working on an R-2 visa
Bearers of derivative R visas (R-2s) may study in the United States, but they may not work.  R-2 visa holders must If he or she is seeking employment, the appropriate work visa will be required.
For more information on R visas, please consult the Department of State’s website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1272.html.