A-1, A-2 & A-3 Diplomatic Visas

The A-1, A-2, and A-3 visas are U.S. non-immigrant visas issued to diplomats, government officials, and their household staff or dependents who are traveling to the United States for official government business or international diplomatic duties.

Key Aspects of the Diplomatic Visa Categories:

• A-1 Visa: Reserved for ambassadors, ministers, heads of state, and other senior diplomatic officials accredited by their home country’s government. A-1 visa holders represent their nations in official diplomatic capacities and may engage in meetings, negotiations, or official ceremonies in the United States.
• A-2 Visa: Granted to other government officials or employees traveling for official purposes, such as consular officers, military personnel, and employees of foreign embassies or missions. This category may also cover certain representatives from recognized international organizations or NATO member states.
• A-3 Visa: Designed for personal attendants, domestic staff, or employees accompanying A-1 and A-2 visa holders. Applicants must prove an established employment relationship and demonstrate fair working conditions, wages, and adequate living arrangements while in the U.S.
• Application Process: The application begins with an official diplomatic note (Note Verbale) from the applicant’s government or sponsoring entity, submitted to the U.S. Department of State. Applicants then complete the DS-160 online form and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate with the required documentation.
• Duration of Stay: A-visa holders are generally admitted for the full duration of their diplomatic or official assignment. Extensions may be granted upon request from the sponsoring government or institution, as long as the individual maintains diplomatic status.
• Privileges and Immunities: Holders of A-1 and A-2 visas enjoy certain immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, such as exemption from arrest, taxation, and specific civil or criminal proceedings. A-3 visa holders do not share these immunities but are protected under U.S. labor and immigration laws.
• Dependents: Immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old, are eligible for derivative A-1 or A-2 visas. Dependents may attend school or college in the United States but must maintain their visa status as dependents.

The A-1, A-2, and A-3 diplomatic visas uphold the international principles of diplomacy and cooperation between nations. At Visa2Migrate, we guide government representatives, embassy staff, and domestic employees through the documentation and compliance process, ensuring a smooth entry into the United States.