United States•North AmericaA-3 — Attendant / Servant of A-1 or A-2
At a Glance
1 day – 1 month
Free
Up to 3 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Living in United States
Overview
Personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of A-1 or A-2 visa holders.
The A-3 is a US nonimmigrant visa for personal employees, attendants, and domestic workers of A-1 or A-2 visa holders — ambassadors, ministers, and career diplomatic staff. It covers roles like cooks, nannies, and butlers. No MRV application fee applies, and there is no annual cap or lottery.
Initial stay is up to 3 years, renewable in increments of up to 2 years but capped by the employer’s A-1/A-2 validity. A signed written employment contract guaranteeing at least the US federal or state minimum wage is mandatory. Work is restricted to the employing principal; no employer changes or PR pathway.
This visa is ideal for domestic staff with an established relationship to a diplomat or foreign government official requiring personal support during a US posting.
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Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a personal employee, attendant, domestic worker, or servant of a currently valid A-1 or A-2 visa holder
Signed written employment contract (in English, or with certified translation)
Employer must pay at least U.S. federal/state minimum wage and provide lawful working conditions
Diplomatic note from the sending government confirming the employer's A-1/A-2 status
Must apply outside the United States
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
DS-160 confirmation page
Recent passport-style photograph
Diplomatic note from sending government confirming employer's A-1/A-2 status
Signed written employment contract in English (or with certified translation)
Proof employer will pay at least minimum wage and lawful conditions
Acknowledgment of 'Know Your Rights' pamphlet (provided by consular officer)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No application fee (fully exempt from MRV fee)
- Grants legal work authorization for the employing A-1/A-2 principal
- Processed via expedited diplomatic channels, separate from standard visa queue
- No annual cap or lottery
- Protected under the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
- State Department hotline (1-888-373-7888) available for reporting employer abuse
- USCIS may grant deferred action and work authorization to abuse victims who file civil claims
Worth Knowing
- Must apply and reapply outside the US — no in-country USCIS extension or renewal
- Mandatory in-person interview; no interview waiver available
- Employment locked to the sponsoring A-1/A-2 employer — cannot freely change employers
- Status ends immediately when employer's A-1/A-2 assignment or status ends
- State Department will not endorse any change of status into, within, between, or out of A-3 status
- Section 13 diplomat green card pathway explicitly excludes A-3 custodial/domestic roles
- Diplomatic employer may have partial immunity from civil suits, complicating labor disputes
Application Process
Employer obtains a diplomatic note confirming their A-1/A-2 status from the sending government
Employer and employee sign a written employment contract using the State Department template
Employee completes DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) at ceac.state.gov
Schedule an in-person interview appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (must be outside the US)
Attend mandatory interview; biometrics collected at the consulate
If approved, visa stamp is placed in passport
Application Forms
| A-3 Employment Contract Template A-3 and G-5 Employment Contract Template | Fill online |
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Living in United States
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