If you’re traveling for NATO-related purposes, whether it’s in a military or civilian role, you might find yourself applying for a NATO visa. In this Remitly guide, we’ll go over the eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits related to NATO visas for both primary applicants and their dependents and legal advisors. We’ll also address common concerns so you can ensure that your NATO visa application process is as smooth and simple as possible.
Eligibility requirements
Diplomats, military personnel, government officials, and employees who work for international organizations in the United States might qualify for one of several different types of NATO visas. These visas grant the right to live and work in the US in order to fulfil a specific role. Unlike other types of permits, like a green card, the NATO visa is temporary and you can only carry out the work that your visa was granted for.
Who qualifies?
If your work is related to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), you’ll need to apply for a NATO visa. There are seven different types of NATO visas for traveling to the US. NATO visa types 1-6 are designed for national representatives, international staff, and their immediate families. NATO visa type 7 is for personal employees or domestic workers accompanying a NATO visa type 1-6 holder.
Required documentation
Several documents are needed to support a NATO visa application, though the process can vary depending on the embassy or consulate you’re applying through. In most cases, you’ll need to present the following documents:
- Passport: Your visa application must be accompanied by a passport from your home country valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
- Non-immigrant visa application form: Fill out the DS-160 form online. Double-check that you have entered all your information correctly.
- Photo: Submit an appropriate passport quality photo online with your DS-160 form or bring physical passport photos to your visa appointment.
- A diplomatic note or official travel orders: This is an official document that confirms in writing your status and your purpose for travel. It should include the applicant’s name, date of birth, position or title, the international office where the applicant will be serving, a brief description of duties, travel date, and anticipated length of stay in the US. It should also include the names and dates of birth of any dependents of the primary applicant, plus their relationship to the primary applicant.
- For family members—a visa copy and I-94: If the applicant is a family member of a primary diplomatic visa applicant, they should submit a copy of the primary visa and the front and back of the I-94 form, which is the official record of admission to the US of the primary visa applicant. It may also be helpful to have a photocopy of the entry stamp in the passport of the primary visa holder.
Application process
The application process for a NATO visa follows the same steps as most visa applications to the US. However, there are a few key exceptions that make the process slightly easier and more streamlined.
Step-by-step instructions
The following steps outline the general process of the NATO visa application. Be sure to check with your local embassy or consulate for any specific requirements that they may have.
- Collect all of your documents.
Starting the process of preparing your documents as soon as possible is always a good idea. Double check that your documents, especially the diplomatic note, have all the necessary information.
- Complete the DS-160 form and schedule an interview.
You can complete this form online. Take note of your unique DS-160 ID number, which appears at the upper right of the application webpage.
- Submit documentation to the US Consulate or Embassy.
Depending on your consulate or embassy, you may do this online or in-person.
- Attend an interview or in-person meeting, if necessary.
If required, attend the visa interview. Dress professionally and try to arrive at least fifteen minutes in advance of your scheduled appointment.
Special considerations for NATO visa applicants
Unlike student, business, or tourist visas, NATO visas do not have an associated application fee. It is free to submit an application for a NATO visa.
For NATO visa types 1-6, interviews are generally waived, streamlined, or conducted by request only. NATO visa type 7 applicants will be required to schedule and attend an interview as part of the application process.
Common challenges
If you’re a frequent international traveler, you’ll know that big trips sometimes come with big challenges. Here are a few of the common sticking points when applying for NATO visas.
Misunderstanding eligibility
NATO visas can be slightly confusing as the eligibility requirements are varied but specific. There are also limitations as to who counts as a dependent. Generally, spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 count as dependents. If you have a child aged 21-23 who is a full-time student, they will also count as a dependent. Clarifications about who is eligible for what type of NATO visa can be found on the Department of State website.
Insufficient documentation
If your NATO orders are outdated or missing, your visa application will be rejected. To ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible, make sure that your official letter is complete, current, and signed by the appropriate authority.
Time constraints
When you’re working with the fixed timeline of pre-planned travel orders, applying for a visa can feel daunting. To help mitigate stress leading up to your international travel, start your application for your NATO visa as soon as you receive your official travel orders. If you don’t think you’ll have enough time before your departure date, reach out to your embassy for assistance.
Further details on NATO visas
Let’s look at some other important details about your NATO visa.
Validity
Unlike other visa types, NATO visas don’t expire after a set number of months or years. Instead, NATO visas are granted in accordance with the official travel orders or work description provided with the application. For this reason, it’s important to provide clear and current information with your visa application.
Renewal
NATO visas can be renewed. However, the process for renewal is different depending on what type of NATO visa you hold. NATO visa types 1 and 6 can be renewed from within the US. Other visa types require the applicant to travel back to their home country at the end of their visa validity period in order to reapply from the consulate or embassy there.
Benefits
Aside from the waived application fee and interview, NATO visas offer other benefits to their holders as well. For example, holders of NATO visas are not subject to immigration inspections, and they have fewer documentation requirements in general.
Conclusion
If you’re working on a NATO-related mission, applying for a NATO visa is your first step. Taking your immediate family and personal staff with you is possible if they apply for derivative visas. Keep this guide handy as you start to prepare your paperwork and documentation for your application. And if the NATO visa is not the right choice for your situation, check out our guides on other visa types, such as the B-1 or EB-1.
FAQs
How long does a NATO visa last?
There is no fixed or set amount of time for which NATO visas are granted; they are usually given according to the length of the official travel plans outlined in your travel orders or diplomatic note.
Can I renew my NATO visa?
Yes, although the location of renewal depends on your type of visa. NATO visa types 1 and 6 can be renewed from within the US. Other NATO visa types have to be renewed at the consulate or embassy in the applicant’s home country. In other words, if you don’t have a NATO visa type 1 or 6, you’ll have to leave the US at the end of your visa term.
Do I have to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate?
If you’re applying for NATO visa types 1-6, you will typically not have to attend any interview at the embassy or consulate. NATO visa type 7 requires a visa interview.
I’m in a same-sex marriage, will my spouse be considered a dependent?
Yes. US embassies and consulates process visa applications that are based on a same-sex marriage in the same way that visa applications for opposite sex spouses are processed.