NATO-2 — NATO Expert / Other Representative

United States•North America

Open

NATO-2 — NATO Expert / Other Representative

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–14 days

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Duration of status (tied to NATO assignment, no fixed limit)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$52,000

Quality of Life

185/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Other representatives of NATO member states, experts employed by NATO, or their dependents.

The NATO-2 visa is for representatives, advisers, and technical experts of NATO member-state delegations on official US alliance business.

Stay is duration of status (no fixed limit); renewable, no MRV fee. Dependents use NATO-2 status; spouses may seek work authorization via Form I-566. Dual intent not permitted.

This visa is ideal for NATO member-state nationals with formal assignment orders and State Department recognition needing extended US access for alliance duties.

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

Processing Time

New application at embassy/consulate	1–14 days
In-US renewal (Diplomatic Liaison Division)	1 week

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Tied to program duration

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be an official representative, adviser, or technical expert of a NATO member state delegation

Must be traveling to the US on official NATO business

Valid passport (exempt from the 6-month validity rule; must be valid for a sufficient period to enable the alien to apply for admission)

Official travel orders or diplomatic note from NATO Headquarters confirming position, duties, and assignment dates

Assignment must be formally recognized by the US Secretary of State

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Diplomatic note or official travel orders from NATO Headquarters (name, DOB, title, duties, travel date, anticipated length of stay)

DS-160 confirmation page (or DS-1648 for in-US renewals)

Recent passport-style photograph (within 6 months)

Form I-566 endorsed by NATO Headquarters (for in-US renewals and dependent employment authorization)

Original I-94 (for in-US renewals)

Copies of principal applicant's passport/visa/I-94 (for accompanying dependents)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No MRV application fee
Interview typically waived — faster processing
Duration of status admission — no fixed expiration tied to a calendar date
Renewable indefinitely while NATO assignment continues
Standard criminal inadmissibility grounds (INA 212(a)(2)) do not apply
Dependents admitted in same NATO-2 classification
No numerical cap or annual allocation

Worth Knowing

Work authorization strictly limited to official NATO duties — outside employment prohibited
Dependent family members require separate Form I-566 process for employment authorization
No path to permanent residency or adjustment of status from NATO-2
Status ends immediately when NATO assignment concludes
Remote work for non-NATO employers is not permitted
Only security-related inadmissibility grounds apply (INA 212(a)(3)(A)(B)(C))

Application Process

Obtain official travel orders or diplomatic note from NATO Headquarters

Complete Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and print confirmation page

Submit application to nearest US Embassy or Consulate (interview generally waived)

For in-US renewals

complete Form DS-1648 via ceac.state.gov/agnato/ with organizational seal

For in-US renewals

submit Form I-566 (endorsed by NATO Headquarters) to the Diplomatic Liaison Division in Washington DC, in person (Mon/Wed/Fri, 10–11 a.m. ET) or by mail