A-Visa
Are you a foreign government official or a diplomat?Will you be traveling to the United States on behalf of your government or country?
If you responded “Yes” to the above, then the A-visa is likely to be the appropriate one for you! The A-category visa is for government officials and diplomats intending to enter the United States to conduct official business on behalf of their country.
The different types of A-visas are as follows:
- A-1: Diplomats, ambassadors, consular officers, public ministers, and their immediate family
- A-2: Government officials and their immediate family
- A-2: NATO 1-6 visa: Members of foreign military services
- A-3: Domestic staff of an A1 or A2 visa holder and/or immediate family.
What Documents Are Required To Obtain An A-Visa?
The documents required for an A-visa are as follows:- A diplomatic note: The diplomatic note is a document in writing from the foreign government confirming the applicant’s status. For A-3 applicants, the diplomatic note should confirm the employer’s official status.
- A valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the time you intend to stay in the United States.
Is An Interview and/or Fingerprinting Required For An A-Visa?
Generally, visa applications require an interview of the applicant at the U. S. Embassy. However, for diplomats applying for an A-1 or A-2 visa, an interview is not usually necessary but can be requested by the consular officer. An interview is required for A-3 visa applicants (domestic staff members) as part of the visa process. Fingerprints are not required for children under 14 or adults over 79. If you have a diplomatic or official passport but apply for other types of visas, you will be fingerprinted.
Can My Family Accompany Me To The United States On An A-Visa?
You can bring your immediate families, such as your spouse, unmarried sons, daughters, close relatives who are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption, as long as they live with you and are recognized by your government as your dependents. If you are not married to your partner, even if they are your dependent, you cannot apply for him or her as a derivative (i.e., they are ineligible for obtaining an A-visa). Special allowances are made for same-sex couples. A domestic partner may be eligible for an A-visa as a dependent if the country he or she is from provides the same treatment to domestic partners of the United States. “Domestic partner” means a same-sex domestic partner and does not apply to opposite-sex relationships.Can I Bring My Private Employees? What Documents Do They Need?
Personal employees, attendants, domestic workers, or servants of A-1 or A-2 visa holders may be issued an A-3 visa. An interview at the embassy or consulate is required. The A-3 applicant must prove that they will receive a fair wage from their employer, enough to support the domestic worker financially. The law requires that the fees paid to the domestic workers are at par with the wages of American employees performing similar jobs. It is also necessary that the A-3 applicant shows that they will be doing the type of work mentioned in their employment contract. Applicants for A-3 visas must apply for a visa abroad before entering the United States. The United States consular officer will determine if the person is eligible for the A-3 visa.Suppose the employer is not a Minister or higher or holds a position equivalent to Minister or higher. In that case, the employer must demonstrate that he or she has sufficient funds to pay for the A-3 applicant’s fair wages and good working conditions, as reflected in the contract.