Diplomats, foreign government officials, employees of specific international organizations, and their immediate family members need a visa to enter the United States on official business.
Your ministry, agency, or employer can tell you which type of you will need: A, G, C2, or C3. The application process is the same for each visa type and family member.
APPLY FOR AN OFFICIAL VISA
Step 1: Complete the Online Visa Application Form DS-160 for each applicant
Print your confirmation page with the barcode. Each family member must complete a separate DS-160.
Step 2: Submit Required Documents
These must be delivered directly to the Consular Section during intake hours. No appointment is necessary, and a representative can drop them off for you. Each post has limited intake hours for official visas. Please see the “Intake Hours and Embassy/Consulate Access” section below.
- Valid Passport.
- Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Photo: 5 cm x 5 cm printed color photo.
- Diplomatic note: Written confirmation from your country’s government of your status and official purpose of travel. International organization employees can use a properly formatted message from their HR department. The note must include:
- The government official’s or employee’s name, date of birth, position and title, place of assignment or visit, specific purpose of travel, a brief description of their duties, travel date, the anticipated length of time in the United States, and
- The names, relationships, and birthdates of any dependents or household members who will accompany the principal applicant.
- For immediate family members:
- Marriage/birth certificates showing relationship to the principal applicant
- A copy of the principal visa holder’s official visa. (If applying separately)
Step 3: Pickup
If your visa is approved, either you or a designated representative can pick it up. Designated representatives must present a copy of the applicant’s photo ID and a signed letter from the applicant authorizing them to pick up your documents.
Please Note: The official visa process is different than the standard process.
– No Visa Fees: Official visa applicants are exempt from paying visa fees.
– No Interview Required: Applicants generally don’t need to appear in person.
– Limited Intake Hours: Each post has limited intake hours for official visas. Please see the “Intake Hours and Embassy/Consulate Access” section below.
Domestic Employees of Official Visa Holders
Personal employees of officials may join their employer if the employer’s ministry, agency, or organization notifies the Department of State in advance.
Step 1: Complete the Online Visa Application Form DS-160 for each applicant
Print your confirmation page with the barcode.
Step 2: Go to the Embassy or Consulate for the visa interview
The interview will be held at the Consular Section during specific intake hours. No appointment or visa fees are required. Your fingerprints will be taken during the visa interview. Please see the “Intake Hours and Embassy/Consulate Access” section below.
In addition to the required documents, please bring:
- Work contract in English and the employee’s language – you can find a template here.
- A copy of the employer’s visa
- Employer’s Personal Identification number (PID)/TOMIS Number
Step 3: Pickup
If your visa is approved, either you or a designated representative can pick it up. Designated representatives must present a copy of the applicant’s photo ID and a signed letter from the applicant authorizing them to pick up your documents.
Know Your Rights: As a temporary worker in the United States, you are entitled to legal protections to ensure a safe and healthy experience. Prior to your interview, please read this pamphlet (English or Portuguese) to learn about your rights and the resources available to you while working in the United States.
INTAKE HOURS AND EMBASSY/CONSULATE ACCESS
Applications for official visas are accepted on weekdays (except for national holidays) during specific intake hours. No appointment is necessary, applicants or their representatives may drop off documents or retrieve their passports at any time during intake hours.
U.S. Embassy in Brasília: Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
U.S. Consulate General in Porto Alegre: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.
U.S. Consulate General in Recife: Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro: Monday to Friday from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
U.S. Consulate General in São Paulo: Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
OFFICIAL VISA TYPES
The type of official visa required is based on your official affiliation and purpose of travel to the United States. The chart below shows common examples in Brazil. Additional cases can be found on the A Visa, C Visa, and G Visa pages of https://www.travel.state.gov. (English only).
Visa Category | Examples |
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A1: Diplomats and Senior Officials |
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A2: Government Officials and Employees |
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A3: Personal employees of Diplomats or Officials |
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C2: Travelers transiting through the U.S. on official business to/from the United Nations (UN) Headquarters |
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C3: Diplomats / Government Officials transiting through the U.S. on official business |
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G1: Members of a government’s permanent mission to an international organization |
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G2: Government representatives traveling temporarily for meetings of an international organization |
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G4: Direct employees of a designated international organization |
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G5: Personal employees of representatives/employees of international organizations |
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B1/B2: Diplomatic Type Visa |
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B1/B2: Non-Federal government officials |
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Additional Resources
For additional information or questions not answered above, please visit the Official Visa FAQ page.