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EmailRevalidating (or Renewing) A, G, and NATO Visas in the U.S.
General Information
How to Apply - Required Documentation
How to Apply
Change of Status
Individuals who are in diplomatic status in the U.S. (A1-2, G1-4, or NATO1-6 visas) and their dependents may renew their visas while in the United States. As a first step, please fully review this information. For further information, you should contact the Office of Diplomatic Liaison or the Visa Office (CA/VO/P/D) at the Department of State at (202) 663-1743, or the U.S. Mission to the United Nations (USUN) at (212) 415-4167, Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. holidays, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Eastern Time).
CA/VO/P/D reissues clearly approvable U.S. visas and provides related visa services to A1-2, G1-4, and NATO1-6 visa holders who are not employees of the UN community and who are: (1) registered with State's Office of Protocol or foreign military personnel stationed at U.S. military bases (the latter should refer to our requirements for foreign military stationed in the U.S.), (2) resident in the United States, and (3) present in the United States.
USUN reissues clearly approvable U.S. visas and provides related visa services to employees of the UN community and their dependents who are: (1) registered with the UN, (2) resident in the greater New York area, and (3) present in the greater New York area. This includes members of the Permanent and Observer Missions to the UN on G visas, and employees of the UN and its related Funds, Programs, and Liaison Offices (excluding consulates). All other A, G, and NATO visa cases are handled by CA/VO/P/D in Washington. Neither entity can issue visas to American citizens or permanent residents, nor can they, by regulation, assist Americans in obtaining passports, visas for foreign countries, or with U.S. visas for family members or friends. In addition, CA/VO/P/D and USUN are unable to issue A-3, G-5, and NATO-7 visas. If you are in A-3, G-5, or NATO-7 status, you are required to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad for a new visa. For A-3, G-5, and NATO-7 applicants who wish to extend their status in the U.S. but do not wish to obtain a new visa, CA/VO/P/D or USUN can coordinate with CIS on the extension of status in some cases. For more information, the foreign mission or international organization should contact CA/VO/P/D or USUN. You may also see How do I extend my stay in the U.S.?
If CA/VO/P/D or USUN, in consultation with CA/VO/P/D, determines that an application for reissuance of an A1-2, G1-4, or NATO1-6 visa is not clearly approvable, they will inform the applicant that he/she must submit an application overseas. This is relatively rare, but must be done when an application raises questions that cannot be answered by the documentation that has been submitted. Such applicants will be required to apply overseas and be interviewed prior to reissuance of the U.S. visa.
How to Apply - Required Documentation
Applicants must submit all required documentation with the visa application. CA/VO/P/D and USUN are unable to accept supplementary mailings from applicants who forgot to include some or all of the required documentation or other information. There are NO visa fees for A1-2, G1-4, or NATO1-6 visa applications.
Each applicant for visa revalidation must submit:
- A passport valid for travel to the U.S. Attach the passport containing the most recent A, G, or NATO visa.
- The original I-94, Arrival- Departure Record, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection from the applicant's most recent admission to the U.S.
- One visa application form DS-1648, Application for A, G or NATO visa, fully completed and signed. This application can now be completed and submitted online by selecting DS-1648 Online: New Application for A, G, or NATO Visa (Applying in the United States only), and then submitting the confirmation page generated at the end of the application, affixed with the Embassy, mission, or organization seal. The non-electronic form DS-1648 is NOT accepted.
(NOTE: The DS-1648 is ONLY for A1-2, G1-4, and NATO1-6 visa applicants applying in the U.S. In cases of change of status for those working at the United Nations, you should use the DS-1648, not the DS-156.)
- One photograph - For Online Application DS-1648, you will upload either a scanned or digital photograph meeting the format requirements explained in the Photo Standards Guide for the Online Application DS-1648. If the photo upload function fails, continue trying to upload until the application allows you to proceed without a photo. Then, submit one print photograph meeting requirements, stapled or glued to the online DS-1648 confirmation page ONLY if the confirmation page has an X in the box where the uploaded photo should appear. See the print photo format found in the Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements. If the confirmation page includes a photo image, then the photo upload function has succeeded and no separate print photograph is required.
- A diplomatic note if applying at USUN.
- Dependents applying separately from the principal applicant must submit copies of the principal applicant's visa and front and back of the principal applicant's I-94, in addition to the requirements listed above.
In Washington, D.C.: The application package should be submitted through your embassy or international organization in Washington to CA/VO/P/D's Diplomatic Desk, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, between 11 a.m. and noon (Eastern Time). NATO visa applicants may submit their applications through their commanding office. If your application package is submitted by mail from your commanding office, include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope or a properly completed commercial courier airbill and envelope. The Visa Office does not endorse the use of any particular commercial courier service. If using the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Service recommends a padded envelope for passport return. A family should submit one courier airbill/envelope or one self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of their documents. Please use the military command's address or the applicant's personal address in the U.S. as the "from" address on the airbill or the self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that the airbill contains the military command's courier company account number or applicant's valid credit card number. CA/VO/P/D's mailing address is:
CA/VO/P/D - Visa Office U.S. Department of State 2401 E Street, NW (SA-1, L-703) Washington, DC 20522-0106
In New York (for G Visa Applicants as described in the General Information section above): The application package should be submitted through your mission or international organization in New York to USUN, Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. holidays, between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). USUN's address is:
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 140 East 45th Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10017
Note: Please allow a minimum of 3-5 business days, not counting date of submission or date of receipt, to process any visa at either location. In some cases, processing may take longer.
Change of Status - Into or Within Diplomatic Status
If you are in the United States in a non-diplomatic visa status and you accept employment with a diplomatic mission, an international organization (including the UN), or a permanent or observer mission to the UN, you must obtain a change of visa status from the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) before beginning employment with the foreign mission or international organization. Applicants requesting a change of status to either the A or G category who fall under CA/VO/P/D's jurisdiction must first submit two originals of Form I-566 to the Department of State, Office of Protocol. Upon receipt of the signed Forms I-566 from the Office of Protocol, the foreign mission or international organization should submit both I-566 forms, the I-539, the I-530, the I-94, the applicant's passport, a diplomatic note, and DS-1648 visa application, along with any other required documents (such as the original DS-2019 for J visa holders or I-20 for F visa holders), to CA/VO/P/D. Applicants requesting a change of status to the G category who fall under USUN's jurisdiction must submit one I-539, two originals of Form I-566, the applicant's passport, DS-1648 visa application, I-94, and diplomatic note to the United Nations' Protocol and Liaison Services (for prospective employees of permanent missions and observer offices) or the United Nations' Transportation Office (for prospective G-4 employees), which will then forward the paperwork to USUN. For further information about the required documents, the foreign mission or international organization should contact CA/VO/P/D or USUN at the numbers above.
CA/VO/P/D or USUN will coordinate with CIS on processing the form I-566. If CIS grants a change of status to the A or G category, CA/VO/P/D or USUN will then issue the visa if the foreign mission has completed online form DS-1648 (Application for Visa) and submitted the confirmation page with the Embassy, mission, or organization seal or a diplomatic note, accompanied by the applicant's passport, a passport-size photo (if the online application's photo upload function has failed), and the Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) reflecting the change of status. For additional information, the foreign mission or international organization should contact CA/VO/P/D or USUN.
Change of Status - Out of Diplomatic Status
If you are in the United States in a diplomatic visa status and you are leaving your assignment, your foreign mission or international organization must first notify the State Department's Office of Protocol or the UN's Protocol and Liaison Services that you are departing. If you or your dependents are remaining in the U.S. in non-diplomatic visa status, your foreign mission or international organization should submit two copies of the form I-566 directly to CA/VO/PD or USUN after notifying the Office of Protocol. CA/VO/P/D or USUN will verify that your registration as a diplomat has been terminated with Protocol and return the signed I-566 forms directly to you. You should then contact your CIS office to complete the change of status request.
Please note: CA/VO/P/D and USUN do not endorse I-566 forms for individuals who are changing their status to an immigrant status. Please contact your CIS office directly to complete the change of status to immigrant status.
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