Navigating international travel for official government duties can be complex, especially when it comes to securing the right visa. Heads of state, ambassadors, and accredited diplomats traveling to the United States will need an A-1 visa.
At Remitly, we understand the importance of clear, reliable guidance for diplomats and their families. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive A-1 visa guide to help you through eligibility requirements, documentation, and application steps.
What is the A-1 visa?
The A-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for high-ranking diplomats and other foreign government officials to travel to the US on official government business.
The A-1 visa doesn’t have a fixed time limit. Its validity depends on how long your diplomatic assignment is in the US.
Visa holders can’t engage in personal or unofficial activities, like working in the private sector or staying past their assignment for personal travel. If you want to vacation in the US after your assignment has ended, you’ll need to apply for a tourist (B-2) visa separately. Typically, you can’t switch to a different type of visa while in the US on an A-1 visa.
Eligibility requirements
The A-1 visa is for high-level government officials. Lower-ranking or support personnel, like military personnel at embassies or regional government representatives, would more likely qualify for the A-2 visa.
The A-1 visa is for:
- Heads of state or government (like presidents or prime ministers)
- Ambassadors
- Ministers
- Cabinet members
- Diplomats
- Consular officers
- Some high-ranking foreign government officials
- Some family members of A-1 visa holders
- All spouses
- Some same-sex domestic partners
- Unmarried children under 21
In addition, you need to fulfill the following criteria:
- You’re traveling to the US on behalf of a foreign national government, solely to conduct official government business
- However, Heads of State automatically qualify for an A-1 visa, regardless of their reason for travel.
- You have diplomatic accreditation
Required documentation
To get an A-1 visa, you need to submit the following documents to the nearest US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence:
- A valid passport, valid for at least six months after your intended departure date
- You can also submit a diplomatic passport if you have one
- The confirmation page from filling out Form DS-160
- A passport photo that complies with US visa photo requirements.
- A diplomatic note written by your government, including your:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Position in the government
- Reason for travel
- Location of assignment or visit
- Description of your job position and duties
- Intended travel period in the US
- The names, dates of birth, and relationships or job positions of any dependents or employees traveling with you
Application process
Since the A-1 visa is based on your official government status, and often coordinated through diplomatic channels, the application process is different from most other US visas. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Verify your eligibility—make sure your main purpose in the US is official business on behalf of your government, and that you’re high-ranking enough to qualify for the A-1 visa, not the A-2 visa.
- Get your government to write your official diplomatic note, and gather any other documents you need. Typically, your Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent agency) or your country’s US embassy or permanent mission prepares this.
- Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa application (DS-160). You do not need to pay the MRV visa fee.
- To help make completing the DS-160 easier, you may want to gather the following documents:
- Your travel itinerary, if you’ve made any arrangements
- Dates of your last five trips to the US, if applicable
- Information on your international travel history for the last five years
- Resume or CV with your current and previous education and work history
- Submit your confirmation page, valid diplomatic or official passport, diplomatic note, and passport photo (if needed) to the US embassy or consulate.
- If needed, schedule an appointment for a visa interview. However, most A-1 applicants don’t need an interview. Some embassies may also handle the visa directly through government-to-government coordination, instead of an individual appointment.
- Wait for your visa to process. Since the A-1 visa is prioritized, you’ll usually get your results back in a few days. However, this can vary based on the embassy or consulate’s workload and your rank in your government.
- Receive your passport with your A-1 visa sticker inside.
For any family dependent applying, the application process is similar. However, they must submit their own applications, and they need to be mentioned in your diplomatic note.
Common challenges
While the A-1 visa process is highly streamlined and often coordinated between government agencies, errors can still occur. Here are some of the most common and how to avoid them.
Documentation errors
While there isn’t a lot of documentation required for the A-1 visa, the diplomatic note has strict requirements. Any errors or missing information can delay your application, or it may even get denied.
Some common errors or mistakes include:
- Incorrect or incomplete personal information
- Missing or vague information about your duties or reason for travel
- Family members traveling with you not properly included in your diplomatic note
- Outdated or unofficial formatting not recognized by the US embassy or state department
If your embassy or consulate asks you to submit a new, corrected note, the process may take time, further delaying your visa.
Overall, the diplomatic note should be carefully drafted and vetted by your government. Coordination with your local U.S. embassy from the beginning of the visa process can help confirm the right format and content, avoid errors, and shorten your application timeline.
Misunderstanding eligibility
The A-1 visa is reserved for a very specific, limited, and high-ranking group of people, like heads of state, senior diplomats, and top government officials. Many people often misinterpret or overestimate their eligibility.
Common mistakes include:
- Mid-level government employees or contractors believing they qualify for an A-1 visa
- Support staff incorrectly applying for an A-1 visa, instead of the A-3 visa
- Officials traveling to the US for unofficial or private visits trying to get A-1 status
If you don’t actually meet eligibility criteria, your application will be denied. This can cause delays in government missions, particularly if your application gets tied up due to consulate workers needing to ask more eligibility questions.
To avoid any issues, consult with your local US embassy or consulate to make sure you’re eligible before you apply. If you have a spouse, any family members or domestic staff coming with you, make sure they understand which visa they’re applying for before they start the application process.
Short preparation timelines
As many diplomatic missions have urgent or last-minute travel requirements, like emergency summits or unexpected official visits, you may have a very short timeline to prepare and submit your visa application.
While, as previously mentioned, the A-1 visa is typically prioritized at embassies and consulates during processing, this isn’t guaranteed. Plus, preparing documents and coordinating any necessary appointments can still take time and potentially cause delays.
There are a few ways to help mitigate the potentially rushed timelines that come with being a highly-ranked diplomat:
- Prepare in advance as much as you can.
- Maintain standing instructions in your Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa preparation.
- Train your foreign ministry to efficiently handle fast-turnaround diplomat visa requests as needed.
- Maintain good relations and communication channels with critical US embassies, to expedite urgent cases.
Visa renewal and benefits
Renewal
As long as you’re still on official duty in the US, renewing your A-1 visa is relatively simple.
As previously mentioned, the length of your visa depends on the length of your assignment, but most A-1 visas are valid for one to three years.
You need to apply for renewal when:
- The visa expires and you have to re-enter the US
- Your assignment has been extended or changed
- You’re being reaccredited to the US after a short absence
To renew, follow these steps:
- Coordinate with your government to confirm your assignment change or extension.
- Request a new diplomatic note confirming your status.
- Complete another Form DS-160 online. Make sure to select “renewal” when asked.
- Gather the same visa documents as when you applied for the first time. If you have it, provide a copy of your previous A-1 visa.
- Submit your documents to a US embassy or consulate.
- Be prepared for an interview, although they are rare.
- Get your results in a few days to a week.
Benefits
The A-1 visa, due to the type of person that can apply to it, holds several benefits. These include:
- Not required to prove strong ties to their home country or show intent to return, unlike most other non-immigrant visas
- High-priority processing—many embassies and consulates fast-track appointments
- Extensions always granted as long as you remain at your official post
- Multiple-entry visa so you can travel in and out of the country as needed
- Streamlined airport security and customs procedures
- Dependent benefits—your spouse and children can get A-1 visas and attend school in the US. Any domestic worker (like nannies and drivers) can come with an A-3 visa, as long as their employment contracts meet US labor standards.
- You can study full- or part-time as long as it doesn’t interfere with official duties. Many accredited institutions, particularly in Washington, D.C., accept A-1 visa holders without requiring F-1 status.
- The visa is exempt from all standard visa fees, including application and reciprocity fees
Understanding the A-1 visa process is essential for a smooth and successful diplomatic mission to the US. With eligibility requirements met and correct documentation, you can focus on official duties without unnecessary delays.
FAQs
Can I bring extended family members to the US on an A-1 visa?
While spouses and unmarried children under 21 typically qualify for A-1 dependent visas, extended family members like parents, siblings, or adult children generally do not qualify and must apply for another visa (typically the B-2 visitor visa) on their own. Children up to age 24 may qualify if they’re studying and still financially dependent on you.
Can A-1 visa holders apply for a US green card or permanent residency?
As A-1 visa holders are considered diplomats, they’re generally not able to adjust status to things like green cards or permanent residency while on A-1 status. It may be able to work in some rare cases, but it involves a complex legal process.
Are A-1 visa holders allowed to work outside their official diplomatic duties?
No, A-1 visa holders are strictly limited to conducting official government business. Taking any US-based work, including freelancing, would violate your visa terms and could lead to revoking your visa and potential future ineligibility.
Do A-1 visa holders need to register with SEVIS if they study in the US?
No. Unlike F-1 visa holders, A-1 visa holders in part- or full-time study don’t need to enroll in the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information) system. You only have to ensure that your studies don’t interfere with your diplomatic responsibilities.