BorderProofBorderProof
Explore VisasCompare VisasCountry GuidesNewsAbout
Sign InFind A Visa
A-2 — Other Foreign Government Official
United StatesUnited States•North America
Open

A-2 — Other Foreign Government Official

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

5–20 days

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Duration of Status (D/S) — coextensive with official assignment

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Other foreign government officials or employees on official duty, and their immediate family.

701-char rewrite: 3 paragraphs, P1=262, P2=281, P3=154 chars, starts with 'This visa is ideal for'

United States

Curious about life in the United States?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

Explore Guide

Stay & Extensions

Status typeTied to program duration

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a foreign government official or full-time employee assigned to a US embassy, consulate, or official government post

Travel must be solely for official government activities

Immediate family members (spouse, unmarried dependent children) qualify as derivatives

Assignment must be governmental in character as determined by the US Department of State

Valid diplomatic/verbal note from the applicant's government or foreign mission

Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page

Passport-style photograph (uploaded during DS-160)

Diplomatic/verbal note from applicant's government or foreign diplomatic mission specifying: full name, date of birth, position/title, assignment location, purpose of travel, duties description, travel dates, and anticipated length of stay

For in-US renewals (foreign military): DS-1648, military orders in English or certified translation, original I-94, self-addressed stamped return envelope

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • No MRV application fee — entirely exempt from visa fees
  • No annual cap or numerical limit
  • Interview typically waived
  • Duration of Status admission — no fixed expiration tied to date
  • Renewable inside the US without departing
  • Dependents (spouse and children) may qualify for derivative A-2 status
  • Dependents may seek separate employment authorization via I-566 if a bilateral work agreement exists

Worth Knowing

  • Strictly limited to official government duties — no private employment or side work permitted
  • Assignment must be recognized and approved by the US Department of State
  • Not a pathway to permanent residence in practice
  • Dependent work authorization requires a bilateral employment agreement and separate USCIS filing
  • Status ends when the official assignment concludes
  • Serious criminal convictions may trigger inadmissibility under standard INA grounds
  • Particularly severe violations of religious freedom while serving as a foreign official are an unwaivable bar

Application Process

1

Obtain a diplomatic/verbal note from your government or foreign mission addressed to the US Embassy

2

Complete Form DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov

3

Upload a passport-style photo taken within the past 6 months during DS-160 completion

4

Submit the DS-160 confirmation page and diplomatic note to the US Embassy's Official Visa Office to request an appointment

5

Attend the in-person embassy appointment with all required documentation

6

Await visa issuance (interview is generally waived; consular officer may request one)

Application Forms

DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Fill online
DS-1648
Online Application for A, G, and NATO Visas
Fill online
I-566
Interagency Record of Request - A, G or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status
Fill online

Ready to see if the A-2 — Other Foreign Government Official is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.

Start Visa Discovery