NonimmigrantInternational organizationsWork authorizedFamily-based

N-8 / N-9 Parent or Child of a G-4 or NATO Special Immigrant

Lets the parent of a former G-4 or NATO-6 child who became a permanent resident, and certain children, stay in the United States while that child is still under 21.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: eCFR · GovInfo · USCISReport an error

At a glance

N-8: Parent of a child granted special immigrant status as the son or daughter of an international organization (SK-3) or NATO (SN-3) employee
N-9: Child of an N-8, or of a retired employee, retiree’s spouse or surviving spouse special immigrant (SK-1/2/4, SN-1/2/4)
Admission period: Up to 3 years, extensions of up to 3 years at a time
Ends when: The qualifying child no longer meets the definition of a child (generally unmarried and under 21)
Work: Employment authorized incident to N status, with no limit on employer or type of work
Initial EAD fee: $0 (category (a)(7))

Entry restrictions apply to N visas. N-8 and N-9 are not among the visa classes excepted from Presidential Proclamation 10998: since Jan. 1, 2026, nationals of 19 countries face a full suspension of nonimmigrant visa issuance, with limited exceptions. N applicants abroad should also schedule the interview in their country of nationality or residence (State Department instructions of July 15, 2026).

Overview

N status, under INA 101(a)(15)(N), follows the special immigrant green card for long-serving international organization (G-4) and NATO-6 families under INA 101(a)(27)(I) and (L). When the unmarried son or daughter of an international organization employee gets a green card as a special immigrant (SK-3, or SN-3 for NATO), the parent can hold N-8 status for as long as that child is still a “child” under INA 101(b)(1).

N-9 status is for the children of an N-8 parent, and for the children of a retired officer or employee, the spouse of a retiree, or a surviving spouse who received special immigrant status (SK-1, SK-2, SK-4 or the NATO equivalents). Each N-9 holds status only while still a child. The classes are listed in 22 CFR 41.12 and governed by 8 CFR 214.2(n).

N nonimmigrants are authorized to work incident to status. Time spent in N status counts toward the residence requirements for some special immigrant categories, as USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 7, Part F, Ch. 6 explains.

Who qualifies

N-8 (parent)

Is the parent of someone granted special immigrant status under INA 101(a)(27)(I)(i), or the NATO equivalent under (27)(L), as the unmarried son or daughter of an international organization or NATO officer or employee.
That son or daughter is still a child as defined in INA 101(b)(1).

N-9 (child)

Is the child of an N-8, or of a person granted special immigrant status under INA 101(a)(27)(I)(ii), (iii) or (iv) (or the NATO equivalents): a surviving spouse, a retired officer or employee, or a retiree’s spouse.
Remains a child as defined in INA 101(b)(1).

Duration & extensions

Initial admission	Up to 3 years (8 CFR 214.2(n)(3))
Extensions	In increments of up to 3 years
End of status	On the date the qualifying child no longer meets the definition of a child
Employment	Authorized incident to status, without restrictions on location or type of work

Fees

Amounts from the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26) and the State Department fee schedule (22 CFR 22.1).

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
Visa application (MRV) fee	$185	Applicant abroad	Non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa tier (22 CFR 22.1, item 21(a))
Form I-539 change or extension	$470 paper / $420 online	Applicant in the U.S.	$0 when changing out of A, G or NATO status (for example, from G-4)
Form I-765, initial EAD (a)(7)	$0	N-8 / N-9	Fee exempt
Form I-765, renewal EAD (a)(7)	$520 paper / $470 online	N-8 / N-9	The fee exemption covers only the initial (a)(7) EAD

The Visa Integrity Fee created by Pub. L. 119-21 (at least $250 at issuance of a nonimmigrant visa) is not listed on the State Department fee page as of Oct. 1, 2026.

Processing time

Annual cap: None; N status is not numerically limited

No fixed processing time. For Form I-539 inside the United States, check USCIS processing times. For visas abroad, wait times vary by consulate.

Application steps

1
Confirm the qualifying special immigrant
Document the family member’s special immigrant classification (an approved Form I-360 and green card as SK-3/SN-3, or SK-1/2/4, SN-1/2/4).
2
Choose the route
In the United States (for example, in G-4 status), request a change to N status on Form I-539. Abroad, apply for an N visa at a U.S. consulate.
3
Submit evidence of the relationship
Provide birth or adoption records showing the parent or child relationship, and proof that the qualifying person is still a child.
4
Work
N status allows work incident to status. An EAD can be requested on Form I-765 under (a)(7) at no fee.
5
Extend before expiry
File extensions (up to 3 years each) while the qualifying child remains under the definition of a child.

Required documents

Typical evidence

Proof of the special immigrant’s status (Form I-360 approval or green card showing the SK/SN class)
Birth certificate or adoption records establishing the relationship
Passport and current immigration status documents (for example, G-4 I-94)
Form I-539 (in the U.S.) or Form DS-160 (abroad)

Dependents & family

N-9 is itself the classification for children — see the overview. There is no separate derivative class for a spouse of an N-8.

Path to a green card

N status is not a green card category. Time in N status can count toward some INA 101(a)(27)(I) special immigrant categories, for example for an unmarried son or daughter, or for a surviving spouse, who later files Form I-360.

Step 1

Unmarried son or daughter

Half of the 7 years before applying, and 7 years in total between ages 5 and 21, in G-4 or N status. Must apply by the 25th birthday.

Step 2

Surviving spouse

Half of the 7 years before applying, and 15 years before the employee’s death, in G-4 or N status. Must file within 6 months of the death.

See USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 7, Part F, Ch. 6. Form I-360 is $515 and Form I-485 is $1,440 paper or $1,390 online under the current fee schedule.

G-1 – G-5

International organization

Status of the international organization employee family.

NATO-1 – NATO-7

NATO personnel

NATO equivalent of G status.

EB-4

Special immigrants

Includes the SK and SN international-organization categories.

A-1 – A-3

Diplomats

Foreign government officials and their staff.

Common questions

Who gets N-8 status?

A parent of a child who received a green card as the unmarried son or daughter of an international organization or NATO employee (SK-3 or SN-3). The parent keeps N-8 status only while that child is still under the INA definition of a child.

Can N-8 or N-9 holders work?

Yes. Under 8 CFR 214.2(n)(4), N nonimmigrants are authorized to work incident to status, with no restriction on location or type of employment. An initial EAD under category (a)(7) has no USCIS fee.

How long does N status last?

Admission is for up to 3 years, with extensions of up to 3 years at a time. Status ends when the qualifying child no longer meets the definition of a child.

Official sources

Recent changes

Dec 16, 2025
Proclamation 10998 expands entry suspensions. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, full or partial suspensions for nationals of 39 countries; the full suspension covers N visas, which are not among the excepted A, C-2, C-3, G and NATO classes. 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.