INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & NATO EMPLOYEES VISAS TO THE USA

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.

International Organization Employees

To receive a G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa, you must be traveling to attend meetings at, visit, or work at a designated international organization. If you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa. The exceptions to this rule are extremely limited. International organization officials and employees requiring visas include:

• G-1 – Permanent mission members of a recognized government to a designated international organization and their immediate family members
• G-2 – Representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily to the United States to attend meetings of a designated international organization and their immediate family members
• G-3 – Representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments and their immediate family members
• G-4 – Individuals coming to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations, and their immediate family members
• G-5 – May be issued to personal employees or domestic workers of a G-1 – 4 visa holders.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

To receive a NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 visa, you must be traveling to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters Set Up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty. This includes national representatives, international staff, and immediate family members. Personal employees or domestic workers of a NATO-1 – 6 visa holder may be issued NATO-7 visas.

G and NATO Visas Required for Official Travel

International organization and NATO officials and employees traveling to the United States to engage in official duties or activities must enter the United States with a G-1 – 4 or NATO-1 – 6 visa. International organization and NATO officials and employees traveling for official purposes are not permitted to enter the United States on any other visa category or under the Visa Waiver Program. Please note that U.S. law requires international organization and NATO officials and employees and their qualified immediate family members to receive G-1 – 6 or NATO-1 – 7 visas, if entitled. Exceptions are extremely limited.

Travel Purposes Not Permitted on G or NATO Visas – Examples:

• Heads of States or Governments – A Head of State or Government is an exception and must always travel to the United States with an A-1 visa, regardless of purpose of travel.
• Officials coming to perform non-governmental functions of a commercial nature, or traveling as tourists, do not qualify for G or NATO visas. You must apply for the appropriate visa category for your specific travel purpose.

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 valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than 1 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 – This note is written confirmation from the international organization or NATO of your status and your official purpose for coming to the United States. Beginning July 1, 2014, the diplomatic note submitted with any G-4 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:

1. the international organization officer’s or employee’s name, date of birth, position and title, the international organization 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, and
2. 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.