Non-Immigrant Visas

Diplomatic and Official Visas

With the exception of a Head of State or Government who qualifies for an A-1 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 his or her reason for entering the United States.

To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, the individual concerned must be traveling to the United States on behalf of his or her 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 whether or not the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the particular duties or services to be performed must also be of an inherently governmental character or nature. Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for "A" visa status; they require B-1/B-2 visas.

Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions of a commercial nature or traveling as tourists require the appropriate B visa.

Qualified A visa applicants traveling to the United States for assignments of less than 90 days will be issued visas annotated "TDY" (temporary duty).

Important note: Foreign officials who intend traveling to the United States on official business must obtain an "A" visa prior to their entry. They cannot travel on tourists' visas, or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the household. Partners who are recognized as the principal alien's dependant by the sending government, while not eligible for derivative A visas, may apply for B-1/B-2 visas, if otherwise qualified. B-1/B-2 visa applicants are required to pay visa application fees.

Aliens Seeking Entry for Purposes Connected with International Organizations

Persons performing the function described may be issued non-immigrant visas within the G-Classes as follows:

1) G-2: Personnel of any rank, including clerical and custodial employees, assigned by a foreign member government recognized de jure by the United States to represent that government and be resident at the headquarters of a designated international organization and members of their immediate family.

2) G-2: Personnel of any rank, including clerical and custodial employees, detailed by a foreign member government recognized de jure by the United States as members of a temporary delegation of that government to a designated international organization, and members of their immediate family.

3) G-3: Personnel of any rank, including clerical and custodial employees, on assignment or detail representing a member government not recognized de jure by the United States, or a nonmember government, before a designated international organization, and members of their immediate family.

4) G-4: Personnel of any rank on the payroll of a designated international organization, or appointed to the staff of a designated international organization, and proceeding to the United States to take up such appointment, and members of their immediate family; and

5) G-5: Attendants, servants, and personal employees of persons in the G1-through G-4 categories, and members of their immediate family.

Working Groups or Conferences Convened by International Organizations
Foreign government representatives to international working groups or conferences convened by, or under the auspices of, an international organization designated under the International Organizations Immunities Act are classifiable G-2 or G-3.