No need of any soothsayer to inform anyone that Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States need G visas. Officials and employees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who will work for NATO in the United States need NATO visas.
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.
How to Apply
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. On this note, one has to consult the instructions available on Consular or embassy website of your country where you will apply.
About Visa Interviews
As part of the visa application process, an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate is required for most visa applicants applying abroad. Embassies and consulates generally do not require an interview for those applying for G-1 – 4 and NATO-1 – 6 visas, although a consular officer can request an interview.
Personal employees, domestic workers, and attendants of the above visa holders, applying for G-5 or NATO-7 visas, are required to be interviewed. Review information in the personal employees section below.
Complete the Online Visa Application
All applicants for G and NATO visas must complete the following: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form that’s DS-160.
Here are two steps to take while: first, complete the online visa application and second, print the application form confirmation page. You must submit the confirmation page as part of your application.
Important Notice: For G-1 – 4 or NATO-1 – 6 visa holders on assignment in the United States reapplying for their visa, use Form DS-1648, not DS-160. Review instructions on the (Renewing A.G. or NATO Visas in the U.S wepage.
Photo – Your photo must be in the format explained in the photograph requirements. You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
Submit Required Documentation
All applicants for G and NATO visas should gather and deliver the following required documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country:
Passport: You must possess avalid Int’l passport to travel to not only United States but all foreign land – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreement. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, form DS-160 confirmation page (For applicants applying outside the United States)
Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must have been taken within the past six months, and must be the format explained in the photograph requirements
A diplomatic note and/or travel orders
This document provides written confirmation from the international organization or NATO of your status and your official purpose for coming to the United States. The diplomatic note and/or travel orders submitted with any G or NATO visa application outside the United States, and for any request for a change into such visa status in the United States, must include the following information: the officer’s or employee’s name, date of birth, position and title, the international organization or office where the individual will be serving, the purpose of travel, a brief description of his or her duties, travel date, and the anticipated length of stay in the United States, at the names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the officer or employee.
For an immediate family member applying separate from the principal visa applicant
A copy of both the visa and I-94 (both front and back) for the principal visa holder is required. If the principal visa applicant entered the U.S. after the automation of Form I-94, and his/her Arrival/Departure Record was created electronically, a photocopy of his/her admission stamp can be provided to the family member applying separately. Alternatively, the principal applicant may obtain a paper Form I-94 at http://www.cbp.
gov/travel/international-visitors/1-94-instructions and provide it to the family member applying separately.
Additional Documentation May Be Required
Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the Embassy where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified.
Visa Fees
Individuals who qualify for an official visa classification (A, G, C-3, NATO) are exempt from paying visa fees.
More About Visa Fees – Individuals holding diplomatic passports may be exempt from visa fees regardless of visa classification and purpose of travel, if they meet one of the qualifying categories.
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.
