Diplomat and Government Officials: A and G

• Description
  
  
• Qualifications
  
  
• Other Information
  
  
• Application Items

Description
A-1, A-2 and G-1 thru G-4 visas are issued to accredited persons holding an official position, other than an honorary official position, with a government or international organization and possessing a travel document or other evidence of intention to enter or transit the United States solely to transact official business for that government or international organization.

Diplomats and officials going to the United States for non-official or tourism purposes need to obtain diplomatic or official B-1/B-2 visas. The application procedure is essentially the same as the one for regular B-1/B-2 visas.

Applicants for A or G visas (except A-3 and G-5) may use our drop box to submit applications.


Qualifications
A-1 and A-2: Issued to persons coming to the United States to perform diplomatic and official business of a governmental nature. Visa classification is determined by the purpose of entry and the intended official duties, and not by the official's title, rank, or type of passport (diplomatic, official, or regular), which he or she is carrying.

Foreign officials who intend to travel to the United States on official business must obtain the appropriate A or G visa prior to their entry.

Foreign officials coming to the United States to represent their government, whether on permanent assignment or temporary duty, are accorded A status, as are their dependents.

Foreign officials coming to perform non-governmental functions of commercial or competitive nature would fall into the B, E, or L categories, and would be issued diplomatic visas in those categories.

Local government officials who intend to come to the United States exclusively on behalf of their state, province, borough, or other local political entity would not qualify for A visa status. A dependent of a foreign official who is assigned to a third country who wishes to visit and/or vacation in the United States would not qualify for A visa status. Based on the applicant's reason for coming to the United States, (vacation or visit) he or she would be issued a tourist visa.

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.

A-3: Issued to the attendants and personal employees of persons in A-1 or A-2 status.

G 1-5:

G-1: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Other Information
Dependents: The spouse and/or unmarried children of an A or G visa applicant are entitled to the same status. Immediate family members are defined as the principal applicant's spouse and unmarried legal sons and daughters of any age who are not members of some other household.


Application Items
Remember: Applicants for A or G visas (except A-3 and G-5) can use the drop box to submit applications.

In addition to the required documents for any non-immigrant visa (except the application fee) the diplomatic or official visa application package must include:

1. Diplomatic note describing the length and purpose of U.S. stay; it should also indicate accompanying family members.
   

Dependents:

In addition to the required documents for any non-immigrant visa (except the application fee) diplomatic or official dependents' application package must include:

1. Original marriage (spouse) and/or birth certificates (unmarried children) as applicable;
2. Diplomatic note for principal applicant; and
3. If not applying at the same time as the principal applicant: A copy of the principal applicant's passport and his/her U.S. visa. If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a legible copy with the photo clearly identifiable.