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EmailForeign Military Stationed in the United States
General Information
Visas That Can Not Be Reissued in the U.S.
Required Documentation
How to Apply
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The Diplomatic Liaison Division of the Visa Office accepts applications for revalidation of A-2 and NATO1-6 visas for foreign military personnel stationed in the United States. If the principal applicant has no Personal Identification Number (PID) assigned by the Department of State's Office of Protocol, he/she must submit military orders and a letter from the U.S. military command describing the applicant's assignment in the U.S. Foreign military orders must be in English or have an English translation attached. The letter must be on the letterhead of the military command, signed by a command official empowered to sign such letters, contain the principal applicant's and dependents' names, and state when the principal applicant's tour of duty will be completed. Applicants may also apply for a new visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad that processes nonimmigrant visa applications.
Visas That Can Not Be Reissued in the U.S.
The Visa Office does not reissue visas for foreign military members who are neither assigned to a foreign Embassy or Consulate, nor stationed at a U.S. military base.
In addition, the Visa Office does not revalidate foreign military visas for nationals of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria, the five countries currently designated as state sponsors of terrorism. These applicants must apply for new visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. For more information, please see the Notice: Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002.
Please note that the Visa Office does NOT revalidate A-3 or NATO-7 visas for personal staff of A-2 and NATO1-6 visa holders. A-3 and NATO-7 applicants must apply for new visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad that processes nonimmigrant visa applications.
Applicants must submit all required documentation with the visa application. The Visa Office is 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 A-2 or NATO visa applications.
Each applicant for revalidation of an A-2 or NATO 1-6 visa must submit:
- One passport, valid for travel to the U.S., and valid at least six months beyond the visa application date (including Visa Office processing time). Attach the passport containing the most recent A-2 or NATO visa.
- The original I-94, Arrival and Departure card, issued by the Department of Homeland Security/Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services from the applicant's most recent admission to the U.S.
- One visa application form DS-1648, Application for A, G or NATO visa, completed and submitted online by selecting DS-1648 Online: New Application for A, G, or NATO Visa (Applying in the United States only). Applicants should submit the resulting 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.
- If the principal applicant has no Personal Identification Number (PID) assigned by the Department of State's Office of Protocol, he/she must submit military orders and a letter from the U.S. military command describing the applicant's assignment in the U.S. Foreign military orders must be in English or have an English translation attached. The letter must be on the letterhead of the military command, signed by a command official empowered to sign such letters, contain the principal applicant's and dependents' names, and state when the principal applicant's tour of duty will be completed.
- 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.
- 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.
The application package, including a self-addressed, stamped return envelope or a properly completed commercial courier airbill and envelope, should be sent to:
CA/VO/P/D - Visa Office U.S. Department of State 2401 E Street, NW (SA-1, L-703) Washington, DC 20522-0106
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.
A-2 and NATO visa applications are processed expeditiously.
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