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Visas for Employees of International Organizations and NATO
Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States need G visas. Officials and employees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who will work for NATO in the United States need NATO visas. With the exception of a Head of State or Government who qualifies for an A visa regardless of the purpose of his or her visit to the United States, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon their purpose of travel to the United States.
If you are an employee of an international organization or NATO personnel who is physically present in the United States on assignment:
Requesting to renew (reapply for) your visa or that of an immediate family member, select Renewing a G or NATO Visa in the United States to learn more. G-5 and NATO-7 visa holders must reapply for their visas outside the United States.
Requesting to change status into or out of G or NATO status, select Change of Status to/from A,G, NATO to learn more.
To receive a G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa, you must be traveling to attend meetings at, visit, or work at a designated international organization. If you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa. The exceptions to this rule are extremely limited. International organization officials and employees requiring visas include:
- G-1 – Permanent mission members of a recognized government to a designated international organization and their immediate family members
- G-2 – Representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily to the United States to attend meetings of a designated international organization and their immediate family members
- G-3 – Representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments and their immediate family members
- G-4 – Individuals coming to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations, and their immediate family members
- G-5 – May be issued to personal employees or domestic workers of a G-1 – 4 visa holders. Select Personal Employees to learn more.
Designated Organizations List – Review the authorized list of designated International Organizations in the Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 402.3-7(N)).
To receive a NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 visa, you must be traveling to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters Set Up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty. This includes national representatives, international staff, and immediate family members. Personal employees or domestic workers of a NATO-1 – 6 visa holder may be issued NATO-7 visas. Select Personal Employees to learn more.
Passport and Visa Exemptions for NATO Forces – Many armed forces personnel are exempt from passport and visa requirements if they are:
- Attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in the United States and are traveling on official business; or
- Entering the United States under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.
When traveling in visa exempt status, such personnel generally enter the United States by military aircraft or naval vessel. You must present your official military identification card and NATO travel orders. Note: Immediate family members are not included in the passport and visa exemption. Therefore, when family members are traveling with you or who will join you at a later date, each person must have a passport and NATO-2 visa to enter the United States.
International organization and NATO officials and employees traveling to the United States to engage in official duties or activities must enter the United States with a G-1 – 4 or NATO-1 – 6 visa. International organization and NATO officials and employees traveling for official purposes are not permitted to enter the United States on any other visa category or under the Visa Waiver Program. Please note that U.S. law requires international organization and NATO officials and employees and their qualified immediate family members to receive G-1 – 6 or NATO-1 – 7 visas, if entitled. Exceptions are extremely limited.
