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Visa Types

Diplomats & Officials

Hours of Operation for the Diplomatic Visa Section: Monday through Thursday between 1:00 and 2:00pm. The section is closed on all American and French public holidays.

Contact: For questions or information you may contact the section via fax at 01-43-12-26-08.

Diplomatic Visas

With the exception of a Head of State who qualifies for an A-1 visa regardless of the purpose of his or her visit to the United States, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon his or her reason for entering the United States.

To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, the individual concerned must be traveling to the United States on behalf of his or her national government to engage solely in official activities for that government. The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not in itself the defining factor in determining whether or not the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the particular duties or services to be performed must also be of an inherently governmental character or nature. Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for "A" visa status; they require B-1/B-2 visas. Qualified A visa applicants traveling to the United States for assignments of less than 90 days will be issued visas annotated "TDY" (temporary duty).  Personal employees of diplomatic/official visa holders may, under certain conditions, obtain an A-3 visa.

Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions or traveling as tourists require the appropriate B travel visa, or, if qualified, may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. Holders of diplomatic or official passports who wish to apply for a B visa will be required to schedule and appear in person for an interview.

Important note: Foreign officials who intend to travel to the United States on official business must obtain an "A" visa prior to their entry.  They cannot travel on tourist visas, or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

International Organizations & NATO Visas

International Organizations: To qualify for a G visa, the individual concerned must be entering the United States in pursuance of official duties.

  • G1 - Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization.
  • G2 - Representatives of a recognized government traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization.
  • G3 - Representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments.
  • G4 - Personnel proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations.
  • G5 – Personal employees of diplomatic/official visa holders, if qualified.

An application for a G visa cannot be processed without an official request from the appropriate international organization or sending government. The request must be sent directly to the Embassy via fax at 01.43.12.26.08.

NATO: An alien shall be classified under the symbol NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, or NATO-5 if he or she is seeking admission to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, or is a member of the immediate family of an alien classified NATO-1 through NATO-5.  However, many armed forces personnel are exempt from passport and visa requirements if they are either attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in the United States and are traveling on official business, or are entering the United States under NATO Status of Forces Agreement.  In the case of the later, they must carry official military ID cards and NATO travel orders.

Visas for Immediate Family Members of Diplomats

Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the household. In addition, as of July 22, 2009, “immediate family” for  purposes of derivative A or G visa classifications includes same-sex domestic partners, provided that the sending government recognizes them as an immediate family member and would provide reciprocal treatment to the domestic partners of U.S. mission personnel.  Immediate family members should apply for the respective derivative visa under the same application procedures as those for the principal applicant. Opposite-sex domestic partners, while not eligible for derivative "A" visas, may apply for B-1/B-2 visas, if otherwise qualified.  B-1/B-2 visa applicants are required to schedule and appear in person for an interview, pay the visa application fee and reciprocal issuance fees, if applicable.

Application Procedure

Embassy Paris accepts for processing the visa applications of all diplomatic, official or special passport holders accredited by their government to their missions in France and those of their immediate family.

Official Duty: Diplomats accredited to France who are traveling on official business to the US are not required to come in person and may instead submit the following documents by mail or courier.

  • A valid passport
  • Online DS-160 application confirmation page  
  • One photograph meeting specific requirements 
  • A diplomatic note listing the names of the official travelers, their title or official status, date of departure from France, purpose of the trip, destination and length of proposed stay in the United States.
  • A work contract must be presented when applying for visas for domestic employees.
  • The application fee is waived for all A, C-2, C-3, G or NATO visa applicants, including household staff qualifying for those categories.

Couriers may drop off visa applications Monday through Thursday between the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm.  Once an application has been received, normal visa processing takes a minimum of two to three working days.  Approved diplomatic visas can only be collected during the same hours, except on French and American holidays.

If applying by mail, two to five workdays should be allowed for the application to be received and processed. 

For some cases, further administrative processing may be required and will delay the issuance of the visa by approximately two weeks or more.  It is therefore important that all applicants plan ahead and apply for any necessary visa far in advance of their actual travel date. 

Visits for Other Purposes: If you are an accredited diplomat to France or official government civil servant planning to travel to the United States for purposes other than the A, G, or NATO visa categories, you must appear at the Embassy for an interview.  Please visit http://www.usvisa-france.com obtain more information and to begin the appointment process.  Please bring the following documents to your interview:

Diplomatic passport holders applying for B1 visas are exempt from the visa application fee if they are currently serving in official capacity.  Official passport holders will be required to pay the visa application fee and reciprocal issuance fees, if applicable, for all non-official visas.