Diplomatic and Official 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 tourists 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, travel visa free; they do not qualify for diplomatic visas.

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.

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 dependant 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.

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.

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.

STEPS:

1. Determine what kind of visa you need.