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How is immediate family member defined?
Does an immediate family member, who is not a member of the principal applicant’s household, qualify for a diplomatic visa?
What if the immediate family member has until recently been a member of another household but has joined the household of the principal applicant?
My child is a boarding school; does he or she qualify as a member of the immediate household?
My child is adopted; does he or she qualify as a member of the household?

I hold a diplomatic passport, and I am traveling to the United States as a tourist; do I require a diplomatic visa, or can I travel visa free?
I am traveling on behalf of my government for less than 90 days and am a national of one of the Visa Waiver Countries.  Can I travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program?
I am a local government official; do I qualify for a diplomatic visa?
I am in the armed forces; do I qualify for a diplomatic visa?
I am a police officer traveling to the United States on official business; do I require a diplomatic visa?
I am going to an international meeting/conference sponsored by an international organization; do I require an A or G visa?
I am participating in a course given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF); what type of visa do I require to travel to the United States?
I am participating in a course given by the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank; what type of visa do I require?
Can the dependent of an A, G or NATO visa holder work in the United States on derivative status?

How is immediate family member defined?

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.   They also include 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.

Does an immediate family member, who is not a member of the principal applicant’s household, qualify for a diplomatic visa?

No, if a relative is not a member of the principal applicant’s household than they do not meet the definition of “immediate family” member.  This is true, even if for example, a niece/nephew will reside with the principal applicant in the U.S. in order to attend school.  In such cases, she/he must seek the appropriate visa for the purpose of their travel.

What if the immediate family member has until recently been a member of another household but has joined the household of the principal applicant?

The fact that your relative has been, even in the recent past, a member of some other household does not preclude him or her from being considered a member of your household.  You must be able to show that you are financially responsible for the new family member.  The relative must show that they are joining your household out of necessity, rather than convenience.  For example, a recently widowed, physically disabled or elderly parent may have found it necessary to close their former household, or ceased to be able to maintain their own household and therefore will become part of the principal applicant’s household. 

My child is at boarding school; does he or she qualify as a member of the immediate household?

Your son or daughter is an immediate relative, even though he or she is absent from the household for part of the year while attending boarding school or college.

My child is adopted; does he or she qualify as a member of the household?

Children who have completed a full and final adoption by the principal applicant are considered immediate family members.

I hold a diplomatic passport, and I am traveling to the United States as a tourist; do I require a diplomatic visa, or can I travel visa free?

Only heads of state or government qualify for A visas regardless of the purpose of their visit.  Visa classification for others is determined by the purpose of their travel.  If traveling as a tourist, you will need a B visa or if eligible, you may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.   

I am traveling on behalf of my government for less than 90 days and am a national of one of the Visa Waiver Countries.  Can I travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program?

If you are traveling to the United States as an official representative of your government, you require a diplomatic visa.   

I am a local government official; do I qualify for a diplomatic visa?

Diplomatic visa (A visa) status only pertains to officials traveling to the United States on behalf of their national government.  Local government officials traveling on behalf of their state, province, borough or other local entity do not quality for A visas. 

I am in the armed forces; do I qualify for a diplomatic visa?

If you are from a non-NATO country and the military education or training you are to receive is being provided at a US military facility (service academy, fort, base, other military installation), you may qualify for an A visa regardless of the duration of the training.  If the military training you are to receive is U.S. government sponsored or licensed but is not provided at a U.S. military facility, you may qualify for an A visa only if the period of training is less than 90 days.

NATO military personnel qualify for NATO visas.

I am a police officer traveling to the United States on official business; do I require a diplomatic visa?

If you are a member of a national law enforcement or police agency coming to the U.S. on behalf of the national government for an official purpose (for example, to interview witnesses or in connection with an investigation), or coming for U.S. government sponsored training in connection with your official duties, you may qualify for an A visa.

I am going to an international meeting/conference sponsored by an international organization; do I require an A or G visa?

If you are being sent by your government to a meeting or conference which is sponsored by an international organization, you will generally require a G visa, unless your visit will also include other official activities, such as bilateral meetings in Washington D.C. with U.S. Government officials, which would require an A visa.  Additionally, a head of state, head of government, cabinet member, presiding officer of a national legislative body, or member of the highest judicial tribunal qualify for A visa classification to represent your government at international meetings or conferences which is sponsored by an international organization. 

I am participating in a course given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF); what type of visa do I require to travel to the United States?

If you have been nominated by a member government of the IMF to attend the course, you are eligible for a G visa.  When applying for the visa, you are required to furnish the letter of acceptance from the IMF.  The request for the visa must be made or supported by the nominating foreign government.  Attendees, who are not nominated by a member government, require B visas.

I am participating in a course given by the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank; what type of visa do I require?

If you have been nominated by a member government of the World Bank to attend a course given at the Economic Development Institute, you are eligible for a G visa.  When applying for the visa, you are required to furnish a letter of acceptance from the Economic Development Institute.  The request for a visa must be made or supported by the nominating government.  Attendees, who are not nominated by a member government, require a B visa.

Can the dependant of an A, G or NATO visa holder work in the United States on derivative status?

Dependents of A-1, A-2, G-1, G-3, G-4 and NATO visa holders may be eligible to work in the United States on derivative A, G or NATO visas. An application for employment must be made on the form I-566 to the Department of State through the office, mission, or organization, which employs the principal alien. If the Department's recommendation is favorable, the form I-566 will be forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for action. If the application is approved, USCIS will transmit the employment authorization to the mission, or international organization. In the case of NATO dependents, USCIS employment authorization will be transmitted to NATOSACLANT. For further information you should either contact your mission, international organization or in the case of NATO visa holders, NATOSACLANT.

 

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September 2005