NonimmigrantNATONo visa feeForm DS-160Status of Forces Agreement

NATO-1 – NATO-7 NATO Officials, Staff and Forces

For representatives of NATO member states, NATO officials and experts, civilian staff of NATO forces and headquarters, their families, and their personal employees (NATO-7).

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

At a glance

Visa fee: No fee for NATO visas
NATO-1 to NATO-5: Normally exempt from inspection
NATO-6: Admission for duration of status
NATO-7: Up to 3 years, extensions of up to 2 years
Interview: Usually waived for NATO-1–6; required for NATO-7
Forces under SOFA: Often visa-exempt; family members need NATO-2 visas

Armed forces personnel may not need a visa — their families do. Many NATO armed forces personnel attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in the U.S. on official business, or entering under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, are exempt from passport and visa requirements and present military ID and NATO travel orders. The exemption does not cover immediate family: each family member needs a passport and a NATO-2 visa.

Overview

NATO visas are for people entering under the Agreement on the Status of NATO, National Representatives and International Staff (22 CFR 41.25), the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (London, June 1951) or the Paris Protocol on international military headquarters (8 CFR 214.2(s)). Officials and employees traveling for official NATO purposes must use a NATO visa and cannot use another visa or the Visa Waiver Program.

NATO-1: principal permanent representatives of member states resident in the U.S. and their official staff, and NATO’s most senior officials. NATO-2: other member-state representatives, advisers and experts, dependents of members of a force, and force members if issued visas. NATO-3: official clerical staff accompanying a representative. NATO-4: other NATO officials. NATO-5: experts employed on missions for NATO. NATO-6: civilians employed by a force or attached to NATO headquarters. NATO-7: attendants, servants and personal employees of NATO-1 to NATO-6 holders. Immediate families are included in each class.

Only the security and terrorism grounds of inadmissibility apply to NATO-1, -2, -3, -4 and -6 applicants (22 CFR 41.21(d)). NATO-7 employees may work only for the NATO principal from whom they derive status.

Who qualifies

NATO-1 to NATO-6 applicants must

Be traveling under the Agreement on the Status of NATO, National Representatives and International Staff, the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, or the Paris Protocol as a representative, official, expert, civilian employee or family member.
Present a diplomatic note and/or travel orders confirming status, duties, length of stay and accompanying dependents.
Use the NATO visa for official travel; commercial or tourist trips need the appropriate other visa.

NATO-7 personal employees

Must be attendants, servants or personal employees of a NATO-1 to NATO-6 holder, authorized to work only for that person.
Must attend an interview and reapply for visas outside the United States.

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)).

Duration & extensions

NATO-1 to NATO-5	Normally exempt from inspection on arrival.
NATO-6	May be admitted for duration of status.
NATO-7	Up to 3 years; extensions of up to 2 years, with the employer’s statement that this is the sole employment.
Passport	NATO-1, -2, -3, -4 and -6 holders may present a passport valid only long enough to apply for admission.
Visa renewal in the U.S.	NATO-1 to NATO-6 holders on assignment use Form DS-1648; NATO-7 holders must reapply abroad.

Fees

NATO visas are fee-exempt at the State Department, and 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).
Form I-539 (NATO-7 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	—	Covers NATO-1 to NATO-6 dependents.
Form I-765 (dependent employment authorization)	$0	—	No fee for dependents of NATO-1 to NATO-6 principals filing under category (c)(7).

Issuance (reciprocity) fees: official representatives of an international or regional organization of which the U.S. is a member are exempt (item 24(a)).

Processing time

Interview: Usually waived for NATO-1–6; NATO-7 interviews are required (State Dept.).
Where to apply: Any designated post; NATO visas are exempt from the country-of-residence rule.

Times vary by post. Dependent employment requests go through the State Department and USCIS; check USCIS processing times.

Application steps

1
Confirm whether a visa is needed
Forces personnel on official business may be visa-exempt; family members are not.
2
Obtain the note or travel orders
Issued by NATO or the member state, listing duties and dependents.
3
Complete Form DS-160
Or Form DS-1648 for NATO-1 to NATO-6 renewals in the U.S.
4
Submit at the embassy or consulate
No fee; interviews are usually waived except for NATO-7.
5
Maintain status
NATO-7 holders track their admission period and extend if needed.

Required documents

From the applicant and NATO

Passport valid for travel (at least six months beyond the stay unless exempt).
DS-160 confirmation page and photo.
Diplomatic note and/or NATO travel orders with the required details.
Visa-exempt forces personnel: official military ID and NATO travel orders.

Dependents & family

Immediate family members receive a visa in the principal’s class; families of visa-exempt forces personnel need NATO-2 visas.

Dependents of NATO-1 to NATO-6 principals may seek employment authorization under formal bilateral agreements or informal reciprocal arrangements, upon a favorable recommendation by SACLANT as described in 8 CFR 214.2(s), and an EAD issued under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7).

Path to a green card

NATO status is temporary and does not itself lead to permanent residence. A NATO visa holder who qualifies in a family, employment or other immigrant category and adjusts in the U.S. uses Form I-566 for the change from NATO status.

A-1 / A-2 / A-3

Diplomats and foreign government officials

For embassy and consular officials.

G-1 – G-5

International organization visas

For missions to and staff of other international organizations.

C-1

Transit visa

C-3 covers officials merely in transit.

Common questions

Do NATO military personnel need a U.S. visa?

Many are exempt when attached to NATO Allied Headquarters on official business or entering under the Status of Forces Agreement. Their families still need passports and NATO-2 visas.

Is there a fee for NATO visas?

No. NATO visas are exempt from the application fee.

How long can a NATO-7 employee stay?

Up to 3 years initially, with extensions of up to 2 years at a time.

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

Valid NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas are excepted; NATO-7 is not listed among the exceptions.

Official sources

Recent changes

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.