Official Visas: Diplomats, Foreign Government Officials, and Employees of International Organizations

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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
A1: Diplomats and Senior Officials
  • Heads of State or Government (all purposes of travel)
  • Ambassador, consul, or other official to serve at a foreign Embassy/Consulate in the U.S.
  • Government minister or cabinet member coming for official business
  • Immediate family members of an A1 visa holder
A2: Government Officials and Employees
  • Full-time employees of a government assigned to work at a foreign Embassy/Consulate in the United States
  • Government officials representing their government to perform official, government-related duties
  • Foreign military members stationed at a U.S. military base or assigned to a foreign Embassy/Consulate in the United States
  • Immediate family members of an A2 visa holder
A3: Personal employees of Diplomats or Officials
  • Personal employees, attendants, domestic workers, or servants of A1 or A2 visa holders.
C2: Travelers transiting through the U.S. on official business to/from the United Nations (UN) Headquarters
  • Representatives or officials of the United Nations (U.N.) or its specialized agencies and/or their immediate family members
  • Experts, NGO representatives, or others invited to the U.N. on official business
  • Members of the press accredited to the U.N.
C3: Diplomats / Government Officials transiting through the U.S. on official business
  • Diplomats returning to their home country or going to next assignment with a layover in the United States
  • Government officials attending an international summit or other official business in a third country with a layover in the United States
  • Immediate family members and/or personal employees, attendants, domestic workers or servants of a C3 visa holder.
G1: Members of a government’s permanent mission to an international organization
  • Official or government employee to represent their country at an international organization on a long-term basis. Example: Ambassador to the U.N.
  • Immediate family members of a G1 visa holder
G2: Government representatives traveling temporarily for meetings of an international organization
  • Government officials attending meetings of international organizations related to their work. Example: officials from the Ministry of Health to a WHO-hosted conference.
  • Immediate family members of a G2 visa holder
G4: Direct employees of a designated international organization
  • An employee who works at the international organization without representing a specific country.
  • Immediate family members of a G4 visa holder
G5: Personal employees of representatives/employees of international organizations
  • Personal employees, attendants, domestic workers, or servants of G1, G2 and G4 visa holders.
B1/B2: Diplomatic Type Visa
  • Issuance of diplomatic type visitor (B1/B2) visas is limited to a narrow category of individuals holding certain positions within a foreign government, such as heads of states, ambassadors, and public ministers.
  • Not all holders of diplomatic passports are eligible for a no-fee diplomatic type visitor visa. Please contact the visa unit at least two weeks before travel to confirm your eligibility.
B1/B2: Non-Federal government officials
  • State or municipal officials traveling to the United States on official business: contact the visa unit at least two weeks before travel to schedule an appointment, or to confirm Interview waiver eligibility and arrange passport drop off and fee payment.
  • State or municipal officials traveling to the United States on personal business: please check the “Apply for a Visa” section for application process on the Nonimmigrant Visa page.


Additional Resources
For additional information or questions not answered above, please visit the Official Visa FAQ page.

 

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