NonimmigrantOfficial travelNo visa feeDiplomatic noteForm DS-160

A-1 / A-2 / A-3 Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials

For diplomats and other foreign government officials and employees traveling to the U.S. solely for official government business, their immediate family, and their personal employees (A-3).

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: State Department · eCFRReport an error

At a glance

Visa fee: No fee for A visas
Key document: Diplomatic note from the sending government
Stay (A-1, A-2): While recognized by the Secretary of State
Stay (A-3): Up to 3 years, extensions of up to 2 years
Interview: Usually waived for A-1/A-2; required for A-3
Dependents’ work: EAD possible with State Department endorsement

New rule on children born in the U.S. to foreign government employees. A DHS interim final rule effective Sept. 4, 2026, following Executive Order 14418 (Aug. 6, 2026), treats a child born in the United States on or after that date to a “foreign government employee” as not a U.S. citizen at birth unless a parent is a U.S. citizen. The definition covers ambassadors, embassy or consular staff who are nationals of the sending country, persons employed by a foreign government in an official capacity, and employees of an international organization who have international-organization immunity. Such a child may voluntarily register as a lawful permanent resident on Form I-485, or otherwise comply with alien registration (e.g. Form G-325R). Comments are due Oct. 5, 2026. The rule states that, because of the preliminary injunction in Casa, Inc. v. Trump (D. Md., Sept. 2, 2026), DHS will not apply it to members of the certified class unless the government obtains relief from that injunction.

Overview

Diplomats and other foreign government officials traveling to the United States to engage solely in official duties for their national government must obtain A-1 or A-2 visas before entering; they cannot use visitor visas or the Visa Waiver Program for that travel. A head of state or government always qualifies for an A-1 visa, whatever the purpose of the trip. Otherwise, the official’s position and purpose of travel determine the class.

A-1 covers ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomats and consular officers serving at an embassy or consulate, certain cabinet-level ministers on official visits of up to 90 days, EU and African Union delegation representatives, and their immediate families. A-2 covers other officials and full-time employees assigned to an embassy or consulate, officials visiting on official business at their government’s written request, EU and AU delegation staff, foreign military members stationed at a U.S. base or a foreign mission, and their families. A-3 is for attendants, servants and personal employees of A-1 and A-2 holders; servants and personal employees are paid from the principal’s private funds, while attendants are paid from public funds (22 CFR 41.21).

The duties must be governmental in character. Officials performing commercial functions, traveling as tourists, or representing a state, province or other local government need the visa that fits that purpose, usually a B visa. A-1 and A-2 holders may work only for their government; A-3 holders only for the official who employs them. Only the security and terrorism grounds of inadmissibility apply to A-1 and A-2 applicants (22 CFR 41.21(d)).

Who qualifies

A-1 and A-2 applicants must

Be traveling on behalf of their national government to engage solely in official activities that are governmental in character.
Be accredited by a foreign government recognized de jure by the United States and accepted by the President or Secretary of State; A-2 is granted on a basis of reciprocity.
Present a diplomatic note giving the official’s name, date of birth, title, place of assignment, purpose, duties, travel date, length of stay and accompanying dependents.

A-3 personal employees

Must work for an A-1 or A-2 holder in a domestic or personal capacity and be paid from that person’s private funds (22 CFR 41.21(a)(4)).
Must attend an interview and present a written contract; the employer must show the employee will receive at least the minimum wage and lawful working conditions.
Must apply outside the United States, including for renewals; A-3 applicants are subject to all ordinary grounds of refusal.

Immediate family

Spouse, and unmarried sons and daughters under 21 (or under 23 if full-time post-secondary students), living in the principal’s household (22 CFR 41.21(a)(3)).
Other household members recognized as dependents by the sending government and individually authorized by the State Department.

Duration & extensions

A-1 and A-2	Admitted for as long as the Secretary of State continues to recognize the status.
A-3	Initial admission of up to 3 years; extensions of up to 2 years at a time, with a signed statement from the employing official.
Passport	A-1 and A-2 holders may present a passport valid only long enough to apply for admission.
Visa renewal in the U.S.	A-1 and A-2 holders on assignment use Form DS-1648; A-3 holders must reapply abroad.

Fees

Official visa classes are fee-exempt at the State Department, and most related USCIS filings are free.

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
Visa application fee	No fee	—	A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO and diplomatic visas are exempt (State Department fee page; see also 22 CFR 22.1, item 22(a), which lists A, G, C-3, NATO and diplomatic visas).
Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee	No fee	—	Exempt for official representatives of a foreign government and their immediate families (item 24(a)).
Form I-539 (A-3 extension or change of status)	No fee	—	8 CFR 106.2 sets no I-539 fee for A, G and NATO nonimmigrants; the USCIS fee schedule (edition 10/01/26) lists $0 for filings into or out of A, G or NATO status.
Form I-566 (dependent employment, change of status)	No fee	—	Filed through the State Department.
Form I-765 (dependent employment authorization)	$0	—	No fee for dependents of A-1/A-2 principals filing under category (c)(1).
Form I-508 (waiver of diplomatic rights)	No fee	—	For permanent residents or adjustment applicants still employed in an occupation that would entitle them to A, G or E status (INA 247(b)).

Official passport holders applying for a non-official visa (e.g. a B visa for tourism) pay the normal application and reciprocity fees.

Processing time

Interview: Usually waived for A-1/A-2; A-3 interviews are required (State Dept.).
Where to apply: Any designated post; A visas are exempt from the country-of-residence rule.

Times vary by post. USCIS-side filings (I-539, I-566, I-485) vary; check USCIS processing times.

Application steps

1
Obtain a diplomatic note
The sending government confirms the official’s status, duties and dependents.
2
Complete Form DS-160
Or Form DS-1648 for A-1/A-2 renewals by officials on assignment in the U.S.
3
Submit at the embassy or consulate
Deliver the passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo and diplomatic note; no fee is charged.
4
Interview if required
Usually waived for A-1 and A-2; always required for A-3, who must also present a written employment contract.
5
Arrive and register the assignment
A-1/A-2 status lasts as long as the State Department recognizes it; A-3 holders track their admission period and extend if needed.

Required documents

From the applicant and government

Passport valid for travel (at least six months beyond the stay unless exempt).
DS-160 confirmation page and photo.
Diplomatic note with the details required since July 1, 2014.
Family member applying separately: copy of the principal’s visa and I-94.

A-3 applicants

Written employment contract meeting the requirements of 9 FAM 402.3-9.
Diplomatic note confirming the employer’s official status; proof the employer can pay the minimum wage.

Dependents & family

Immediate family members receive A-1 or A-2 visas in the principal’s class. Family members who do not meet the definition may qualify for a visitor (B-2) visa and pay its fees.

Spouses and dependent children of A-1 and A-2 principals may apply for an employment authorization document with a State Department endorsement; Form I-566 is fee-free. Availability depends on bilateral agreements or de facto arrangements with the sending country.

Path to a green card

A status is temporary, but officials and family members may later seek permanent residence through a family, employment or other immigrant category. An applicant who seeks adjustment while still employed in an occupation that would entitle them to A status must file Form I-508 to waive the related diplomatic rights, privileges, exemptions and immunities (including income-tax exemptions on the foreign salary); an adjustment applicant who does not execute it is ineligible to adjust, and under INA 247(a) a permanent resident in such employment who does not execute it is adjusted to A status. Form I-566 records the change from A status.

Step 1

Qualify for an immigrant category

For example, a family-based or employment-based petition.

Step 2

File I-485 with I-566 (and I-508 if applicable)

I-508 is needed if the applicant remains in A-qualifying employment; both forms are fee-free.

Step 3

Children born in the U.S.

Children born to foreign government employees on or after Sept. 4, 2026 may voluntarily register as permanent residents under the new DHS rule.

G-1 – G-5

International organization visas

For representatives to and staff of designated international organizations.

NATO-1 – NATO-7

NATO officials and staff

For NATO representatives, officials and forces.

C-1

Transit visa

Officials merely transiting use C-3.

B-1

Business visitor visa

For local-government officials and non-official trips.

Common questions

Do diplomats pay U.S. visa fees?

No. A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO and diplomatic visas are exempt from the application fee, and official representatives are exempt from issuance fees.

Can a diplomat use ESTA or a B visa for an official trip?

No. Officials traveling for official duties must obtain A-1 or A-2 visas and cannot use visitor visas or the Visa Waiver Program.

Can my spouse work in the U.S.?

Possibly. Spouses and dependent children of A-1/A-2 principals can apply for employment authorization with a State Department endorsement, subject to arrangements with the sending country.

Are A visa holders affected by the 2025–2026 travel bans?

A-1 and A-2 holders are exempt. A-3 personal employees are not listed among the exceptions.

Official sources

Recent changes

Sep 4, 2026
Children of foreign government employees. Interim final rule: children born in the U.S. on or after Sept. 4, 2026 to foreign government employees (no U.S.-citizen parent) are treated as non-citizens and may register as permanent residents. Source ↗
Jul 15, 2026
Residence rule for visa interviews; A, G, NATO exempt. Nonimmigrant applicants must generally apply in their country of nationality or residence; the guidance does not apply to A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO or diplomatic- and official-type visas. Source ↗
Dec 16, 2025
Proclamation 10998 expands entry suspensions. Effective Jan. 1, 2026 for nationals of 39 countries; valid A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1–G-4 and NATO-1–6 visas are excepted. Source ↗
Sep 18, 2025
Interview waivers narrowed; official visas still eligible. From Oct. 1, 2025 most applicants need an interview, but A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1–G-4 and NATO-1–6 applicants and diplomatic- or official-type visa applicants remain eligible for a waiver. Source ↗
Jun 4, 2025
Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from 19 countries. Effective June 9, 2025, with exceptions for valid A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1–G-4 and NATO-1–6 visas. Source ↗

This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? Tell us.