Other Visas

Diplomats, Government Officials and Employees of International Organizations

Diplomats

With the exception of a Head of State or Government who qualifies for an A-1 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 his or her reason for entering the United States.

To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, the individual concerned must be traveling to the United States on behalf of his or her national government to engage solely in official activities for that government. The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not in itself the defining factor in determining whether or not the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the particular duties or services to be performed must also be of an inherently governmental character or nature. Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for "A" visa status; they require B-1/B-2 visas.

Government Officials

Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions of a commercial nature or traveling as tourists require the appropriate H, L or B visa; they do not qualify for a diplomatic visa.

Qualified A visa applicants traveling to the United States for assignments of less than 90 days will be issued visas annotated "TDY" (temporary duty).

Important note: Foreign officials who travel to the United States on official business must obtain an "A" visa prior to their entry.

Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the household.  Partners who are recognized as the principal alien's dependant by the sending government, while not eligible for derivative A visas, may apply for B-1/B-2 visas, if otherwise qualified. B-1/B-2 visa applicants are required to pay visa application and reciprocity fee, if applicable. 

International Organization and NATO Visas

To qualify for a G visa the individual concerned must be entering the United States for official duties. Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization are eligible for G-1 visas; representatives of a recognized government traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization are eligible for G-2 visa and representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments are eligible for G-3 visas; G-4 visas are issued to individual personnel who are proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations.

Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the household. Partners who are recognized as the principal alien's dependent by the sending government, while not eligible for derivative A visas, may apply for B-1/B-2 visas, if otherwise qualified. Application procedures are the same as for the principal applicant.

Domestic employees of diplomatic/official visa holders may, under certain conditions, obtain A-3 or G-5 visas.

An application for a G visa cannot be processed without an official request from the appropriate international organization. For the United Nations, the request must be received directly to the Embassy and you should confirm receipt by calling 01.43.12.22.22 or by fax 01.43.12.48.32 and ask for the Diplomatic Section before applying for a visa.

NATO

An alien shall be classified under the symbol NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, or NATO-5 if he or she is seeking admission to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, or is a member of the immediate family of an alien classified NATO-1 through NATO-5.  However, many armed forces personnel are exempt from passport and visa requirements if they are either attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in the United States and are traveling on official business, or are entering the United States under NATO Status of Forces Agreement. In the case of the later, they must carry official military ID cards and NATO travel orders.

Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the household. Partners who are recognized as the principal alien's dependent by the sending government, while not eligible for derivative A visas, may apply for B-1/B-2 visas, if otherwise qualified. Application procedures are the same as for the principal applicant. If accompanying a spouse on NATO travel orders, the spouse and children should apply for NATO-2 visas.

How to Apply

A completed visa application Form DS-156 for each person traveling, even children and babies listed in parents' passports. The requirement that male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 complete the supplemental visa application form DS-157 is not required for applicants of A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, and G-4 visas. The visa application form should be delivered to the Embassy together with the passport, one color passport type photograph, and a Note Verbale. The Note Verbale should list the names of the official travelers and specify their title or official status. It should also specify the date of departure from The Bahamas, the purpose of the trip, the trip's destination and length of proposed stay in the United States.

Issuance fees: Applicants for A, G, C-3 and NATO visas are exempt from paying visa fees. Additionally, some (but not all) diplomatic passport holders are exempt from visa fees for other types of visas according to federal regulations. Official passport holders are not charged for official visas (A, G, C-3 and NATO visas), but are required to pay visa application and reciprocal issuance fees. For further information, you may send a fax to 01.43.12.48.32.