United States•North America

Open

A-3 — Attendant / Servant of A-1 or A-2

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 1 month

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Up to 3 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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

Verified Claims (39)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Application Steps

Employer obtains a diplomatic note confirming their A-1/A-2 status from the sending government; Empl…

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Blockers

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Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of A-1 or A-2 visa holders.

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.

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