|
Types of Visa Classes
Diplomat
and Government Officials: A and G
Description
A-1, A-2 and G-1 thru G-5 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.
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.
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:
- 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:
- Original marriage (spouse) and/or birth certificates (unmarried
children) as applicable;
- Diplomatic note for principal applicant; and
- 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.
|
