United States•North AmericaNATO-6 — NATO Civilian Component Member
At a Glance
3 days – 2 months
Varies by processing route
Free
Duration of Status — tied to official NATO assignment; no fixed calendar limit
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Living in United States
Overview
Member of a civilian component accompanying NATO forces, or attendant/servant of NATO-1 through NATO-5.
The NATO-6 is a US nonimmigrant visa for civilian staff accompanying NATO forces or an international military headquarters under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. It covers non-military government personnel — administrative, logistics, and technical roles — plus personal attendants of NATO-1 through NATO-5.
Status runs for the duration of the assignment with no fixed calendar limit, and is renewable while the posting continues. Fees are waived. Outside employment is not permitted; dependents may obtain separate work authorization via Form I-566. A PR pathway is available via EB-4.
This visa is ideal for government civilians from NATO member states officially assigned to a NATO force or headquarters in the US.
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Processing Time
| Initial application abroad (consulate) | 3 days – 1 month |
| In-US renewal (Diplomatic Liaison Division) | 1–2 weeks |
| Change of status to NATO-6 | 1–2 months |
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Tied to program duration |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a civilian component member of a NATO member country's armed forces (non-military personnel: administrative, logistics, technical staff on government payroll)
Must be traveling pursuant to official NATO orders or assignment
Assignment must be under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) or Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond period of stay
Diplomatic note and/or travel orders confirming position, duties, and assignment duration
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (6+ months validity beyond period of stay)
Completed Form DS-160 confirmation page (for applicants applying outside the US)
Photo meeting State Department Photograph Requirements (uploaded with DS-160)
Diplomatic note and/or travel orders from NATO or member state authority confirming: name, date of birth, position and title, duty location, purpose of travel, description of duties, travel date, anticipated length of stay, and names/relationships/dates of birth of accompanying dependents
For immediate family members applying separately: copy of principal holder's visa and I-94 (front and back) or CBP admission stamp
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Exempt from all US visa application fees
- No personal interview required at consulate
- Exempt from US-VISIT biometric entry requirements
- Only limited grounds of inadmissibility apply — most criminal record bars waived
- No annual numerical cap on issuances
- Duration of Status allows stay for entire assignment period without fixed calendar limits
- Renewable indefinitely while assignment continues
- Dependent family members qualifying for separate employment authorization
- PR pathway available via EB-4 special immigrant category after 15+ years and retirement
Worth Knowing
- Status is entirely tied to the official NATO assignment — terminates immediately upon end of assignment or retirement
- No outside private-sector employment permitted for principal holder
- PR pathway (EB-4) requires 15+ years of physical presence in the US in NATO-6 status, primarily for retirees
- Remote work for non-NATO employers not authorized
- Not formally recognized as a dual-intent visa
- Spouse and dependents must apply separately for employment authorization via Form I-566
Application Process
Obtain diplomatic note and/or travel orders from NATO authority or member state confirming position, duties, and assignment
Complete Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 (or DS-1648 for in-US renewal)
Upload photo per State Department Photograph Requirements
Print DS-160 confirmation page
Gather required documents (passport, DS-160 confirmation, diplomatic note, photo)
Deliver documents to U.S. Embassy or Consulate in home country (interview generally not required for NATO-1 through NATO-6 principal applicants)
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 |
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Living in United States
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