Embassy of the United States

How to Apply

Official and Diplomatic travelers are generally exempt from application fees and the interview requirement, but otherwise follow the nonimmigrant visa application process.

Please contact ceand@state.gov for inquiries about official travel.

Fees, Fingerprinting and required Documents

If you are currently in a position that requires Official or Diplomatic travel (as defined below) and you are traveling for official reasons,  you are exempt from visa application fees and are not required to be fingerprinted. You or your representative may drop off your required application materials (DS-160 barcode page, passport and 1 photo per specification) plus supporting materials such as an employement letter or diplomatic note, at Gate 6 of the Embassy.

Personal Travel on Official and Diplomatic Passports

Officials currently in position traveling for personal reasons on a Diplomatic passport are exempt from the visa application fee.  However, travelers using Official (but not Diplomatic) passports for personal travel must pay the visa fee. In both cases, interview appointments must be scheduled by writing to ceand@state.gov.

If you are retired, but still have your Official or Diplomatic passport, you must pay the application fees, schedule an appointment through VFS or by writing to ceand@state.gov, and appear for an interview in person.


A Visas

This visa is for an accredited government official who needs to go to the U.S. to transact official business on behalf of a foreign government.

• A-1 is for high-ranking foreign government officials and their immediate family
• A-2 is for other foreign government officials and their immediate family
• A-3 is for attendants, servants and personal employees of persons who are eligible for A-1 or A-2 status

What must you establish as an A-1 or A-2 Visa applicant?

• You have been accredited by a foreign government recognized de jure by the Government of the U.S.;
• You intend to engage solely in official activities on behalf of a foreign government while in the U.S.; and
• You have been accepted by the President, the Secretary of State, or a consular officer acting on behalf of the Secretary of State; or
• You are a member of the immediate family of a person who is eligible for an A-1 or A-2 Visa.

G Visas: International Organization Aliens

This visa is for an officer or employee of an International Organization who needs to go to the U.S. to work on behalf of that International Organization

• G-1 is for a person, regardless of rank, assigned to a permanent mission of a recognized government that is part of an International Organization. G-1 is also for the immediate family of a person eligible for a G-1 Visa
• G-2 is for a representative of a recognized government, regardless of rank, who needs to travel to the U.S. to attend meetings or conferences of a designated International Organization.  G-2 is also for the immediate family of a person eligible for a G-2 Visa 
• G-3 is for a person assigned or detailed by a member government not recognized by the U.S. or a government recognized by the U.S. that is not a member of the International Organization in question
• G-4 is for a person, regardless of rank, employed by an International Organization. G-4 is also for the immediate family of a person eligible for a G-4 Visa
• G-5 is for attendants, servants and personal employees of persons who are eligible for G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4 Visas

C Visas: Diplomats & Officials in Transit

This visa is for a government official who needs immediate transit through the U.S. to conduct official business on behalf of a foreign government in another country or the UN Headquarters in New York.

• C-2 is for an official (or unaccredited media representative) of a government not recognized de jure by the U.S. who needs to transit to the UN Headquarters in New York
• C-3 is for an accredited government official, their immediate family and their attendants who need immediate transit through the U.S. to transact official business in another country