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A, G and NATO Visas
For Foreign Government Representatives

Do you work for the World Health Organization? How about the United Nations or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)? Or maybe you're employed by an international organization, such as the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission or the International Telecommunication Union. If you have the right credentials, you may be able to receive one of several visas available to foreign officials and representatives of international organizations.

Three types of visas are available to foreign officials and representatives of international groups: the A, G and NATO categories. A visas are granted to diplomats, officials and employees of foreign governments coming to the US for official business. G visas are given to employees of non-governmental organizations and lower-ranking officials of foreign governments. NATO visas are granted to representatives of countries that are members of NATO.

Unlike most, the A, G and NATO visas are largely controlled by the State Department with little Immigration and Naturalization Service involvement. The reason? Since these visas are for foreign officials and representatives, including heads of state, they are considered important to US foreign policy.

A Visas

There are three types of A visas:

A-1 visas are issued to the heads of foreign states, official diplomatic and consular officers, the heads of a foreign state's branches of government and to the immediate family members of these people.

A-2 visas are issued to full-time embassy or consulate employees who do not have A-1 visas and to those who are coming to the US to do work on behalf of their government, and to their immediate family members.

A-3 visas are issued to personal employees of A-1 and A-2 visa holders and to the A-3 visa holder's immediate family.

Many A visa holders have diplomatic visas, which means they are not subject to most of the restrictions faced by other visa holders. For instance, the only way they can be expelled from the US is with the approval of the Secretary of State.

A-1 and A-2 visas do not have time limitations. As long as the Secretary of State recognizes the person's official position, he or she may remain in the US. A-3 visa holders are admitted for an initial period of up to three years, which may be extended for two-year periods.

Family members in A status may attend school without any change in visa status. They need to obtain employment authorization through the State Department to work in the US.

G Visas

G visas are issued to people involved with international organizations. For the organization to qualify for G visa classification, it must be recognized by the President through an executive order. Recognized organizations include the African Development Bank, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, the European Space Agency, the Inter-American Statistical Institute, the Pacific Salmon Commission, the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

There are five types of G visas:

G-1 visas are issued to a foreign government's primary representative to an international organization (and the person's staff and immediate family).

G-2 visas are issued to a foreign government's other representatives to an international organization (and staff and family).

G-3 visas are issued to representatives (and their immediate families) in an international organization either from a government the US does not recognize or one that is not a member of the international organization.

G-4 visas are issued to international organizations' officers and employees and their immediate families.

G-5 visas are issued to attendants, servants and personal employees of other G visa holders and their immediate families.

Like the A visa classification, there is no time limit for G classification, except for G-5 status. G-5 visa holders are admitted for up to three years initially and can request two-year extensions.

NATO Visas

Under NATO, certain representatives and staff from member countries can enter the US with temporary visas. Under the treaty, they are not subject to normal immigration inspections and documentary requirements. Instead, consular officials decide whether they are admitted. Admission is for as long as the Secretary of State recognizes their status. Employment authorization is obtained through the State Department.

Material from the immigration law firm of Siskind, Susser, Haas & Devine was used in this report. This information is provided as a public service and not intended as legal advice or the establishment of an attorney-client relationship.