Non-Immigrant Frequently Asked Questions

Diplomats

(Click on the question to get the answer.)

1. How do you determine whether a person qualifies for an A or G visa?
2. I am going to an international meeting/conference sponsored by an international organization; do I require an A or G visa?
3. I am in the armed forces; do I qualify for a diplomatic visa?
4. I am an official of the European Union traveling on official business to the United States. Do I require an official visa?
5. I am a local government official; will I be accorded a diplomatic visa?
6. My visa is annotated with the symbol "TDY"; what does this mean?
7. I hold a diplomatic passport, but am traveling to the United States as a tourist; do I require a diplomatic visa, or can I travel visa free?
8. I'm traveling on behalf of my government for less than 90 days. As I am a national of one of the 27 visa free countries, can I travel under the Visa Waiver Program?
9. How are immediate family members defined?
10. What about a relative who is not a member of the principal applicant's household, but is going to the United States to reside with the principal alien? For example a nephew/niece who is going to reside with the principal alien in order to attend school in the U.S?
11. My child is at boarding school. Does s/he qualify as a member of the immediate household even though he or she is absent from the household for a large part of the year?
12. My child is adopted. Does s/he qualify as a member of the household?
13. Can the dependent of an A or G visa holder work in the United States on a derivative visa?
14. I have a U.N. Laissez-Passer; is this valid for travel to the United States?

1. How do you determine whether a person qualifies for an A or G visa?

• In general G visas are issued to individuals employed directly by an international organization, or representing a foreign government to international organizations. A visas are issued to representatives of a foreign government traveling to the United States to engage in official activities for that government.
  

2. I am going to an international meeting/conference sponsored by an international organization; do I require an A or G visa?

• If you are being sent by your government to an international meeting or conference, other than one convened by or under the auspices of an international organization, which is official in nature,  you will require an A visa. G visas are appropriate only if the meeting is sponsored by an international organization.

3. I am in the armed forces; do I qualify for a diplomatic visa?

• Personnel of foreign armed services from other than NATO countries, coming to the United States in connection with their military status for education or training at any of the U.S. military schools, qualify for A-2 visas.

4. I am an official of the European Union traveling on official business to the United States. Do I require an official visa?

• EU officials, including members of the EU parliament and those attached to the Court of Justice although not members of a foreign government per se, are eligible to receive A-2 visas if traveling to the United States on EU business. A Note Verbale from the EU Office of Protocol is required to issue such a visa.

5. I am a local government official; will I be accorded a diplomatic visa?

• A visa status only pertains to officials traveling to the United States on behalf of their national government. Local government officials traveling on behalf of their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for A visa status.

6. My visa is annotated with the symbol "TDY"; what does this mean?

• If an A visa applicant is going to the United States for an assignment which is to last less than 90 days, the visa will be annotated TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment).

7. I hold a diplomatic passport, but am traveling to the United States as a tourist; do I require a diplomatic visa, or can I travel visa free?

• Only heads of state or government are accorded A-1 visas regardless of the purpose of their visit to the U.S. Otherwise, the visa classification is determined by the purpose of entry. If you are traveling as a tourist, you will require a B-2 visa, or if eligible, may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

8. I'm traveling on behalf of my government for less than 90 days. As I am a national of one of the 27 visa free countries, can I travel under the Visa Waiver Program?

• If you are traveling to the United States on official business on behalf of your government, you must obtain an official visa. You cannot travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

9. How are immediate family members defined?

• Immediate family members are defined as the principal applicant's spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are not members of some other household and who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien. Immediate family also includes any other close relatives of the principal alien or spouse who are relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption; are not members of some other household; will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien and are recognized as dependents by the sending Government.

10. What about a relative who is not a member of the principal applicant's household, but is going to the United States to reside with the principal alien? For example a nephew/niece who is going to reside with the principal alien in order to attend school in the U.S?

• A relative who has been a member of a household other than the household of the principal alien would not normally meet the definition of "immediate family" member of the principal alien. He/she should seek to obtain the appropriate visa for the purpose of travel.
  

11. My child is at boarding school. Does s/he qualify as a member of the immediate household even though he or she is absent from the household for a large part of the year?

• Yes, your son or daughter qualifies as an immediate relative, even though he or she is actually absent from the household for a large part of the year while attending a boarding school or college.

12. My child is adopted. Does s/he qualify as a member of the household?

• Children who are subject to a full and final adoption by the principal applicant are considered immediate family members.

13. Can the dependent of an A or G visa holder work in the United States on a derivative visa?

• Dependents of A-1, A-2, G-1, G-3, and G-4 visa holders may be eligible to work in the United States on derivative A, or G visas. An application for employment must be made on the form I-566 to the Department of State through the office, mission, or organization which employees the principal alien. If the Department's recommendation is favorable, the form I-566 will be forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)) for action. If the application is approved, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will transmit the employment authorization to the mission, or international organization.
  

14. I have a U.N. Laissez-Passer, is this valid for travel to the United States?

• The passport is valid for travel to the United States only if the holder is destined to the United Nations and is in possession of a valid G-4 visa. Note: the U.N. Laissez-Passer is an emergency travel document and should only be used in special circumstances.

In general G visas are issued to individuals employed directly by an international organization, or representing a foreign government to international organizations. A visas are issued to representatives of a foreign government traveling to the United States to engage in official activities for that government.