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Diplomatic and Government Officials – Additional Information

• Overview

Overview

Type-A visas are generally issued upon presentation of a diplomatic note from the appropriate host country office or foreign mission. If an A-1 or A-2 visa applicant is coming to the United States for an assignment, which is to last less than 90 days, the visa is annotated "TDY." Normally, the personal interview requirement for bona fide A-1 and A-2 visa applicants who are citizens of, or accredited to, the host country is waived. However, there may be circumstances within which the consular officer will ask for an interview.

Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States need G visas. Officials and employees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who will work for NATO in the United States need NATO visas. With the exception of a Head of State or Government who qualifies for an A visa regardless of the purpose of his or her visit to the United States, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon their purpose of travel to the United States.

This list gives additional information about specific visa types within this class:

A-3 Visa

Issued to the attendants and personal employees of persons in A-1 or A-2 status.

G-1 Visa

Issued to members of a permanent mission of a recognized government, to an international organization, regardless of rank, and to members of their immediate families. G-1 visas are also issued to the mission's secretaries, chauffeurs and custodial employees, except domestic employees, who are issued G-5 visas.

G-2 Visa

Issued to representatives of a recognized government and to members of their immediate families traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization. G-2 officials may represent their governments at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly or as TDY officers to that country's mission to the international organization. G-2 visas may be issued to military officers who are assisting the UN Secretariat with peacekeeping matters. Family members may also be issued G-2 visas.

G-3 Visa

Issued to representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments, regardless of rank, and to members of their immediate families. G-3 visas should also be issued to representatives of such governments so as to participate in temporary meetings of designated international organizations (e.g., a meeting of the UN General Assembly and Security Council).

G-4 Visa

Issued to personnel of any rank who are proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization (including the United Nations). Members of their immediate families may also be issued G-4 visas, except their domestic employees, who are issued G-5 visas. Officers and employees of designated international organizations, who are not assigned in the United States, may be accorded G-4 classification if they intend to transit the United States. The number of entries should be limited to the official request. G-4 visas may also be issued to personnel of any rank on the payroll of a designated international organization proceeding to the United States on behalf of that organization.

G-5 Visa

Issued to the attendants and personal employees of persons in G-1 through G-4 status.

Note: If a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) were to be employed by a foreign mission in the United States, he or she would be eligible for A visa status if he or she would be willing to surrender his or her permanent residence card.