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Diplomatic, Official, and International Organization Visas
 

These visa categories are designed for accredited members of diplomatic missions, employees of international organizations such as the United Nations or the Organization of American States, their family members and domestic employees.

Diplomats:  To qualify for an A visa, the individual concerned must be traveling to the United States on behalf of his or her national government to engage solely in official activities for that government. The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not in itself the defining factor in determining whether or not the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the particular duties or services to be performed must also be of an inherently governmental character or nature. Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for "A" visa status; they require B-1/B-2 visas.

Qualified A visa applicants traveling to the United States for assignments of fewer than 90 days will be issued visas annotated "TDY" (temporary duty).

Important note: Foreign officials who intend to travel to the United States on official business must obtain an "A" visa prior to their entry. They cannot travel on tourist visas or visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program.

Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions or traveling as tourists require a B visa, or if qualified, may travel visa-free; they do not qualify for diplomatic visas. top

International Organizations:  To qualify for a G visa the individual concerned must be entering the United States in pursuance of official duties. Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization are eligible for G-1 visas; representatives of a recognized government traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization are eligible for G-2 visas and representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments are eligible for G-3 visas. G-4 visas are issued to individuals who are proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations. top

Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the household. The spouse and unmarried children of the principal applicant are eligible to apply for visas as dependents (although de facto marriages are not accepted for US visa purposes). Partners who are recognized as the principal alien's dependent by the sending government, while not eligible for derivative A visas, may apply for B-1/B-2 visas if otherwise qualified. B-1/B-2 visa applicants are required to pay visa application and reciprocal issuance fees, if applicable.
Each dependent must complete a separate application and submit separate processing and other visa fees. top

Visa processing and issuance fees: Diplomatic passport holders are exempt from paying visa fees for all types of visas. Official passport holders are not charged for official visas, but are required to pay visa application and reciprocal issuance fees, if applicable, for all non-official visas.

Required Documentation

  • Diplomatic, Official or Ordinary Passport, valid for more than six (6) months
  • The DS-160 application form confirmation page
  • One color photograph, 2” X  2”, white background, forehead and ears fully visible
  • A Diplomatic Note (for A visas) or letter from the Headquarter of the International Organization (for G visas), which should list the names of the official travelers and specify their titles or official status.  It should also specify the date of departure from Nicaragua, the purpose of travel, and the destination and length of stay in the United States.

Process: Deliver the application packet to the U.S. Embassy via the Consulate Entrance between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM from Monday to Friday, except Thursdays.  Indicate that you are delivering official visa applications.  All material is carefully reviewed and scanned before it is accepted.

  • We accept application packets from applicants in person or from messengers working at the same organization.

Processing Time: Three business days. top

Personal or domestic servants of an employer who seeks admission to, or who is already in the United States in A-1 or A-2 status, may be issued A-3 visas.

Domestic employees and personal servants of persons holding G-1 through G-4 visas may be issued G-5 visas. An application for a G-5 visa cannot be processed without an official request from the organization to which his/her employer is accredited.

Visa processing and issuance fees: personal or domestic servants applying for A-3 Visas or G-5 visas are exempt from paying visa fees.

Required Documentation

  • A passport valid for more than six (6) months
  • The DS-160 application form confirmation page
  • One color photograph, 2” X  2”, white background, forehead and ears fully visible
  • Contract with the employer. When applying for the visa, applicant must be able to show that he/she will receive a fair wage comparable to that offered in the area of employment in the United States. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a contract in English and Spanish language, signed by both employer and employee, that at a minimum must include the following:

* Duties of work (including holidays, sick days and vacation days); 

* Medical insurance;

* Guarantee that the employee will be compensated at the level specified by the Federal or State Minimum Wage or Prevailing Wage, whichever is greater for an eight-hour work day. For prevailing wage select the state, area based on county/township or BLS area and the occupation from the list;

* Guarantee the employee will not accept any other employment while working for the employer;

* Guarantee the employer agrees not to withhold the passport,  employment contract or personal  effects of the employee; and

* The employer agrees to abide by all federal, state and local laws in the United States.

* Sample Contract: English and Spanish

  • A Diplomatic Note or a letter from the International Organization. The Diplomatic Note or letter from the International Organization should list the name of the domestic employee or personal servant and the name and position of the employer.   It should also specify the date of departure from Nicaragua, the purpose of the trip, length of stay and destination in the United States.

Process: G-5 and A-3 visa applicants must apply by scheduling an appointment through managuaniv@state.gov.

Processing Time: Three business days.

Passport Delivery: We do not provide delivery services for these types of visa. Visa applicants or messengers can pick up passports in the Consulate every day at 3:00 p.m., except on Nicaraguan and U.S. federal holidays. top

Important Note: New Domestic Worker Visa Eligibility Requirements

The Department of State is implementing two new requirements in connection with the employment of domestic workers by foreign missions personnel that pertain to the visa eligibility of prospective domestic workers. The Department of State currently requires that the Office of the Chief of Protocol be notified at the time of the arrival and departure of all domestic workers in the United States.

Effective October 15, 2009, the Department of State also requires that foreign missions notify the Department of any prospective domestic worker before the worker applies for a visa. This “pre-notification” requires foreign missions to submit a “Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker” form (“Pre-Notification Form”) addressed to DomesticWorker@state.gov The Pre-Notification Form can be found on the Office of Protocol  web site in the Diplomatic Affairs section at www.state.gov/s/cpr.  The Office of Protocol must receive this notification before a domestic worker submits an application for an A-3 or G-5 visa and before a visa interview can be scheduled; such visas will not be issued unless the Pre-Notification Form has been submitted. Foreign missions should note that this pre-notification process does not guarantee the issuance of an A-3 or G-5 visa, nor does it change other nonimmigrant visa eligibility requirements relating to such visas. The Secretary of State wishes to advise that the Department of State accepts Pre-Notification Form with the understanding that the Chief of Mission has reviewed and authorized any such proposed employment by a mission member of a domestic worker.