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email Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials
Overview
How to Qualify for a Diplomatic Visa
Local Government and European Union Officials
Immediate Family Members
How to Apply - Required Documentation
Visa Processing and Issuance Fees
Renewing (Revalidating) a Visa in the U.S.
Additional Information
Misrepresentation of Facts or Fraud
Entering the U.S.- Port of Entry
Further Visa Inquiries
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
A citizen of a foreign country, who wishes to enter the United States, generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. Diplomatic visas are used by diplomats and other government officials for travel to the United States. 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.
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the United States port-of-entry, and request permission of the U.S. immigration inspector to enter the U.S. A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.
How to Qualify for a Diplomatic Visa
To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, you must be traveling to the United States on behalf of your 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 if you qualify for an A visa; the particular duties or services that will be performed, must be governmental in character or nature. Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions of a commercial nature or traveling, as tourists, require the appropriate visa, and do not qualify for diplomatic visas.Foreign officials who are traveling to the United States on official business must obtain an A visa prior to their entry. They cannot travel on tourist’s visas, or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Qualified A visa applicants traveling to the United States for assignments of less than 90 days will be issued visas annotated "TDY" (temporary duty).
Local Government and European Union Officials
Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for A visa status; they require a B visa. However, European Union (EU) officials, including members of the EU parliament and those attached to the Court of Justice although not members of a foreign government per se, are eligible to receive A visas if traveling to the United States on EU business.
Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the principal applicant’s household. Immediate family also includes close relatives of the principal applicant or spouse who are related by blood, marriage or adoption and are not members of some other household, will reside regularly in the household of the principal applicant and are recognized as dependants by the sending government. An unmarried partner, even if recognized as the principal applicant’s dependent by the sending government, would not be eligible for a derivative A visa, but may apply for a B visa, if otherwise qualified. B visa applicants are required to pay visa application and reciprocal issuance fees, if applicable.
How to Apply- Required Documentation
As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for most visa applicants. Embassies and consulates generally do not require an interview for those applying for A-1 and A-2 diplomatic visas; however, a consular officer can request an interview. Please contact the embassy or consulate in your home country for more information.
Personal employees, attendants and servants of A visa holders, that is, applicants for A-3 visas, are required to be interviewed. Additionally, as part of the visa interview, a quick, two-digit, ink-free fingerprint scan will be completed.
Visa application forms should be delivered to the embassy or consulate in the country in which you are a resident. Each applicant and any accompanying persons, must submit the forms and documentation as explained below:
- An application, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156, signed and completed. Select Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form, DS-156 to access the electronic and non-electronic versions of the DS-156. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the electronic version of the DS-156.
- An application for A, G, and NATO Visa, Form DS-1648 (ONLY for A-1 and A-2 visa applicants applying in the U.S. in cases of change of status or those working at the United Nations; the DS-1648 should be submitted in lieu of the DS-156), The non-electronic form DS-1648 will NOT be accepted, applicants must complete the electronic “e-form application”, Select Application for A, G, and NATO Visa, Form DS-1648 to access the electronic version.
- A supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-157, which provides additional information about your travel. A-1 and A-2 visa applicants are not required to complete the Form DS-157. Here is the Form DS-157 .
- A diplomatic note. The diplomatic note is written confirmation by the sending government of the applicant’s status. A-3 applicants must also have a diplomatic note included with their applications to confirm the official status of employers.
- A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the United States.
- One (1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format explained in Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements .
Visa Processing and Issuance Fees
Individuals who establish entitlement to an official visa classification (e.g., A, G, C-3, NATO) are exempt from paying visa fees. Additionally, individuals holding Diplomatic passports may also be exempt from visa fees regardless of visa classification and purpose of travel, if they meet one of the qualifying categories defined in 22 CFR 21.26 (c)(1)(i) through (xvi). Possession of a diplomatic passport or the equivalent is not by itself sufficient to qualify for a no fee diplomatic visa. The consular officer will make the determination whether the visa applicant qualifies for an exemption of fees under U.S. immigration laws. 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.
- No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
- Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visitor visa in an expired passport, do not remove the visa page from the expired passport. You may use it along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
Misrepresentation of a Material Facts, or Fraud
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States. Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas provides important information about ineligibilities.
Entering the U.S. - Port of Entry
Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States, such as an international airport, a seaport or a land border crossing, and request permission to enter the U.S. Immigration inspectors with the Department of Homeland Security’s, Customs and Border Protection, will permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine your length of stay in the U.S., on any particular visit. Upon arrival, A-3 visa holders will be enrolled in the US-VISIT entry-exit program. A-1 and A-2 visa holders are exempt from entry into the US-VISIT program. In addition, some A-3 travelers will also need to register their entry into the U.S. and departure. Select Special Registration to learn more. If allowed to enter, the U.S. immigration official will authorize the traveler's admission to the U.S. with a Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure. The Form I-94 documents your authorized stay in the U.S. and notes the length of stay permitted; it is very important to keep the Form I-94 in your passport. To find out more detailed information about admissions and entry in the U.S., select Admissions to go to the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Internet site.
Further Visa Inquiries
- Questions on visa application procedures and visa ineligibilities should be made to the American consular office abroad by the applicant. Before submitting your inquiry, we request that you carefully review this website and also the Embassy Consular web site abroad. Very often you will find the information you need.
- If your inquiry concerns a visa case in progress overseas, you should first contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your case for status information. Select U.S. Embassy or Consulate , and you can choose the Embassy or Consulate Internet site you need to contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select Frequently Asked Questions, to learn more.
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