Navigate the diplomatic visa application process with ease. Learn about 2025 requirements, step-by-step application instructions, and expert tips to travel to the US as a foreign official.
At Remitly, we’re here to help support you if you’re embarking on a move to the US as a foreign official. In this article, I’ll explain the diplomatic visa, a nonimmigrant visa for foreign diplomats and officials who are serving a qualifying role in the US and their immediate families.
I’m the daughter of an immigrant and when my family first came to the US, they did so under a diplomatic visa. My grandmother was part of the administrative staff at a foreign consulate. As a result, she was able to apply for a diplomatic visa and derivative visas for her entire immediate family, including my mom.
My family history is just one example of how diplomatic visas foster international collaboration and ensure smooth operations for foreign missions. In this guide, I’ll provide all of the essential details of the diplomatic visa, from eligibility criteria to application tips.
Eligibility requirements
Based on the name of this visa, you’re probably thinking that you have to be a foreign diplomat in order to be eligible. You might be surprised to learn that this visa extends beyond just diplomats themselves.
Primary eligibility
Diplomatic or A-status visas are issued to foreign government officials and their employees. This means that the primary applicant will hold a diplomatic or government-issued passport and be traveling on official diplomatic or consular business.
Additionally, the immediate family of the primary applicant is eligible to apply for derivative visas or diplomatic visas “sponsored” by the primary applicant.
Common roles that qualify
There are positions that will typically qualify for diplomatic visas. Although this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the roles that qualify:
- Heads of State or Government
Regardless of the purpose of travel, Heads of State or Government can apply for a diplomatic visa to the US
- Ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomats, and consular officers
Anyone within this group who’s assigned to an embassy or consulate in the US will fall into the diplomatic visa scheme.
- Government ministers
When traveling for official duties, foreign government ministers in roles equivalent to the US Cabinet-level secretaries will apply for diplomatic visas.
- Immediate family members of A-1 visa holders
The spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of A-1 visa holders can apply for derivative diplomatic visas. - Representatives of international organizations
When traveling to the US on official business for international organizations, representatives can apply for a G-status visa.
Documentation needed
In order to apply for a diplomatic visa, you’ll have to submit the following required documents to the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country:
- Passport
Your visa application has to be accompanied by a passport from your home country that’s valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
- Nonimmigrant visa application form
Fill out the DS-160 form online, making sure to include correct and current information.
- 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
An official letter from your country’s government that states your name, date of birth, position and title, place of assignment or visit, a brief description of duties, travel date, anticipated length of stay, and the names, dates of birth, and relationships of any dependents. - For family members, a visa copy and I-94
If the applicant is the 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. The I-94 is the primary visa holder’s official record of admission to the US
Application process
Now I’ve run through the eligibility requirements for a diplomatic visa, let’s discuss how to actually apply for one.
Step-by-step general procedure
Applying for a diplomatic visa follows a similar procedure to any other visa application:
- Gather all 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 at the upper right of the application webpage.
- Submit documentation to the US Consulate or Embassy
Depending on your type of diplomatic visa, you’ll either do this online or in person at your visa interview. - Attend an interview or in-person meeting if necessary
If you’re asked to, attend the visa interview. Dress professionally and try to arrive at least fifteen minutes in advance of your scheduled appointment.
Specific diplomatic exemptions
If you qualify for a diplomatic visa, all visa fees are waived. Additionally, some interview or in-person appointment requirements are less strict for diplomatic visa applicants.
Approximate time frame
A US diplomatic visa will take a minimum of five business days to process. However, in general, you can expect a diplomatic visa to process in less time than other visa types. Typically, the wait time will be just a few weeks.
Common challenges
Like with any visa application, challenges can present themselves when you’re seeking a diplomatic visa. Here are some of the common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Ambiguity
The diplomatic visa scheme in the US is a little complicated. It encompasses more than one visa type and can extend to you as a primary applicant as well as your immediate family members. The requirements of different diplomatic visas page will help you avoid any ambiguity and ensure that you’re eligible for the visa for which you’re applying.
Miscommunication
There might be miscommunication between your government and the US government. In order to avoid these hiccups, refer to clear, official guidance from the US Department of State.
Delays
As with all visa applications, one of the most difficult tasks is collecting all of the required documents in a timely fashion. In my experience, most delays with diplomatic visas relate to obtaining a correct and complete diplomatic note.
Here’s what the US Department of State’s website says about diplomatic notes:
“This note is written confirmation from your county’s government of your status and official purpose of travel. A-3 applicants also require diplomatic notes to confirm the official status of their employers. The sending government must provide the following information in the diplomatic note submitted with any A-1 or A-2 visa application outside the United States, and for any request for a change int such visa status in the United States:
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The government official’s or employee’s name, date of birth, position and title, place of assignment or visit, purpose of travel, a brief description of his or her duties, travel date, and the anticipated length of the tour of duty or stay in the United States, and;
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The names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the government official or employee.”
Visa validity, renewal, and benefits
So, once you get a diplomatic visa, how long does it last? And can you renew it? Well, yes, but it involves more paperwork.
Diplomatic visa validity
There’s no set validity period for diplomatic visas. Typically, diplomatic visas are issued with a validity period in line with the length of the diplomatic assignment described in the note issued by your government.
Renewal notes
Renewing a diplomatic visa is possible for the primary applicant and family members in the US under the following visa types: A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, and NATO-1-6. The renewal process can vary, but generally it will require diplomatic communication to explain updates to role assignments and extensions. You can learn more about renewing a diplomatic visa as a primary visa holder or as a dependent on the US Department of State website.
Exclusive benefits
Under the Foreign Missions Act, the Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) in the US provides sales and use, occupancy, food, airline, gas, and utility tax exemptions to qualifying diplomatic visa holders. The benefit of tax exemption is based on reciprocity, so if US officials aren’t taxed while working in your home country, you will not be taxed when on a diplomatic visa in the US
Additionally, as mentioned in this article—and highlighted in my own family history—diplomatic visa holders create much easier pathways for their family members to gain access to life in the US through derivative visas.
FAQs
Who qualifies for diplomatic immunity under a diplomatic visa?
Typically, diplomats and their immediate family members are protected by diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention. This diplomatic immunity might sometimes further extend to administrative and technical staff, plus their families.
Can the holder of a diplomatic visa work outside of their official role when in the US?
No. Without additional authorization, a diplomatic visa limits the holder to working in their official role.
Are family members of the holder of a diplomatic visa eligible for special privileges?
Yes. Immediate family members of a diplomatic visa holder are often eligible for derivative visas. This means that spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 can apply for the same visa as the main applicant. Family members of diplomatic visa holders can also be exempt from certain taxes. They can also be immune from legal proceedings and travel freely.