Diplomatic and Government Officials

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Overview

A-1 through A-2, C-2 through C-3 (transit) and G-1 through G-4 visas may be issued to diplomats and other government officials for official travel to the United States. Generally, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon their purpose of travel to the United States. There are very specific requirements which must be met by applicants in order to qualify for A, G or NATO visas under U.S. immigration law.

Applications for A-1 through A-2, C-2 through C-3, G-1 through G-4 visas may be submitted directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. All diplomatic and official visa applications must be accompanied by a diplomatic note from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or foreign diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia or, for international organizations, an official letter requesting the issuance of a G visa. Diplomatic and official visa applications do not require payment of a visa application fee. Do not pay an MRV visa application fee through this site, as it will not be refunded.

A-3 or G-5 visa applicants (attendants, domestic or personal employees of persons in A-1 through A-2 or G-1 through G-4 visa status) must schedule an appointment directly with the U.S. Embassy as they require a personal interview with a consular officer and electronic collection of fingerprints. They do not require payment of a visa application fee.  Please email the name, passport number and a copy of the DS-160 confirmation page with barcode to:
The consular section will reply with an appointment date.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is not considered an international organization for G-visa purposes. GCC employees traveling to the United States on official business or orders apply for B-1 visas, but submit their applications through the same procedures as diplomatic and official visa applicants. They do not require payment of a visa application fee.

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are not considered a international organizations for G-visa purposes. These organizations’ employees traveling on official business to the United States should apply for B-1 visas. They may submit their applications through the same procedures as diplomatic and official visa applicants. They do not require payment of a visa application fee.

Application procedures

Official or diplomatic visa applications are accepted any working day from:

1:00-2:30 p.m.in the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh

1:00-3:00 p.m.in the consular section of the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah

1:00-3:00 p.m.in the consular section of the U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran

A courier may submit applications for diplomatic or official visas on behalf of the applicant. A-1/A-2 visas are for host country (i.e. Saudi Arabia) or third-country government employees traveling on official business or orders to the United States. G-1/G-2 visas are for host country (i.e. Saudi Arabia) or third-country government employees traveling on official business or orders to work at an international organization in the United States, e.g. International Monetary Fund/World Bank, Permanent Representation of the Saudi (or another foreign) government at the United Nations. G-4 visas are for employees of international organizations.

There is no application fee and no need for the applicant’s personal appearance since fingerprints are not required for official/diplomatic visa applications.

How to Apply for your Visa:
  1. Please fill out Visa Application Form online at https://ceac.state.gov/GENNIV/Default.aspx.
  2. Electronically submit the completed DS 160 visa application form to the respective U.S. Embassy or Consulate, e.g. U.S. Embassy Riyadh, U.S. Consulate-General Dhahran, U.S. Consulate-General Jeddah.
  3. Bring the print-out of the confirmation page only (with the barcode and uploaded photo) to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. e.g. U.S. Embassy Riyadh, U.S. Consulate-General Dhahran, U.S. Consulate-General Jeddah.
  4. Submit passport (ordinary, service or diplomatic) valid for at least 6 months as of the date you intend to enter the United States) with your application.
  5. In addition to completing the online application, all A-1, A-2 (G-1, G-2) applicants will need a diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or third-country diplomatic mission that contains the following information. G-4 applicants should submit a diplomatic note or official letter from their international organization:
    1. Name and Passport number for applicant and family members if they are traveling with primary applicant
    2. Length of stay
    3. Destination in the U.S.
    4. Type of official assignment (official meeting, assigned to work for diplomatic mission, attending official training, etc.).
    5. Please specify what organization the meeting/mission/conference/training will be with.
    6. If the official anticipates multiple official trips, even if dates and locations are not yet certain, please state that in the diplomatic note or letter.
    7. Date and number for the diplomatic note or letter.
  6. Please submit your application as far in advance of travel as possible. Many diplomatic and official visa applications require additional administrative processing which can take several weeks, but processing times vary significantly. Cases not requiring additional processing can generally be issued in 48-72 hours.
  7. The Consular Section will call the point-of-contact given at the time of submission of the diplomatic and official visa application to advise when the visa is ready for pick-up at the consular section from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Please address any questions to the Non-Immigrant Visa Chief at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. In Riyadh: Tel. 011-488-3800 or RiyadhNIV@state.gov. In Dhahran: Tel. 013-330-3200 Dhahran: DhahranNIV@state.gov In Jeddah: Tel. 013-330-3200 Jeddah: JeddahVisas@state.gov

More Information

For more information, please visit this web page or consult with your government or agency's administrative office responsible for visa issues.

You can visit the Department of State website for additional information about qualifying for Diplomatic and Official visas and for more specific information about A visas and G visas.