This page has been reviewed and verified by Michael Gibbons, Regulated Immigration Advisor. You can confirm appointment scheduling rules through Our U.S. Visa Guidance.
Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
In order to be eligible for a G visa, you must be traveling to the United States in the course of your official obligations. The G-1 visa is for members of a recognized government permanent mission to an international organization; the G-2 visa is for representatives of a recognised government traveling temporarily to the United States to attend meetings of a designated international organization, and the G-3 visa is for representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments. G-4 visas are issued to individual personnel who are proceeding to the United States to attend meetings of a recognised government’s permanent mission to an international organization.
It is a non-immigrant visa that is granted to designated principal resident representatives of foreign governments recognized by the United States who wish to enter the United States to work for an international organization such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, or other similar organizations rather than for personal business or pleasure.
In addition to the major G-1 Visa holders, G-1 Visas are available to their employees and immediate family members (spouses and children).
Their dependents may only work if they have received approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. While on a G-1 visa, their dependents are eligible to apply for full-time education opportunities.
G visas may also be granted to members of the primary visa holders immediate family. G visas are granted by the Department of State of the United States of America.
Heads of state are not awarded G visas; instead, they are granted an A-1 visa, which is more restrictive.
Gather the following papers and submit them to the United States Embassy or Consulate in your native country if you are applying for a G visa or a NATO visa:
A message about diplomatic protocol and/or travel instructions – This document is written confirmation from the international organization or NATO of your status and the official reason you are traveling to the United States. It also specifies the official purpose for which you are traveling to the United States. The following information must be included in the diplomatic letter and/or travel orders that are submitted with any application for a G or NATO visa outside of the United States, as well as any request for a change into such visa status that is made inside the United States:
The officers or employees name, date of birth, position and title, the international organization or office where the individual will be serving, the purpose of travel, a brief description of his or her duties, the travel date, and the anticipated length of stay in the United States, as well as the officers or employees, anticipated length of stay in the United States.
The names, connections, and birth dates of any dependents and other household members who will be accompanying or joining the officer or employee in their travels.
In the event that a member of the primary visa applicant’s immediate family wishes to apply for a visa on their own, they are needed to provide a copy of the principal visa holder’s I-94 and visa, front and back.
The applicant is required to attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate located outside of the United States as part of the application procedure. The interview is conducted without the presence of the employer or any recruiting agency.
You are required to make an appointment for the visa interview at the United States Embassy or Consulate in either the country in which you were born, the nation in which you are now resident or the country in which you are physically present.
During the interview for your visa, a consular official will evaluate your reasons for travel in addition to any other criteria in order to decide whether or not you are eligible to be granted a visa. In order to prove that you are eligible for a G-5 or NATO-7 visa under United States legislation, you will need to provide supporting documentation.
As part of the application procedure, digital fingerprint scans that don’t need ink will be collected from you. They are often taken when you are being interviewed, however, the precise timing of this might vary greatly depending on the place.
Following the interview for your visa, your application can be subject to further administrative procedures. You will be notified by the consular officer if further processing is required for your application.
In the event that the visa is granted, the Embassy or Consulate will explain the process by which your passport will be returned to you together with the visa if it was accepted.
To be eligible for a G-1 visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
Limitations
The only responsibilities that a G-1 visa holder can do are those that are related to the international organization and agreements that the President has authorized under the International Organizations Immunities Act.
A Visa is required for any foreign national wishing to enter the United States. It could be a non-immigrant visa for a short period of time or an immigrant visa for a long period of time. To enter the United States, Indians must get a non-immigrant visa.
Dependents
The holder of a G-1 visa may bring his or her immediate family members (those closely related by blood, marriage or adoption, and who reside regularly in the household). They are welcome to join the visa holder in G-1 status. On a G-5 visa, personal attendants and servants may accompany the visa holder to the United States.
Dependents of G-1 visa holders are only allowed to work after acquiring permission from the USCIS. Working without prior approval is a violation of the visas terms. If the United States and the visa holders country have a reciprocal work agreement, they can apply for work authorization.
Income Taxes Paid While in the U.S.
If they work for international institutions like the World Bank or the IMF, G status diplomatic visa holders are exempt from paying income tax.
The maximum period of stay on a G-1 visa is one year in duration. G-1 visa holders whose human rights have been infringed, as well as G-1 visa applicants for Refugee Status, are permitted to participate in activities outside of the scope of their visas.
The maximum period of stay on a G-1 visa is one year. G-1 visa holders whose human rights have been infringed, as well as G-1 visa applicants for refugee status, are permitted to participate in activities outside of the scope of their visas.
In order to be eligible for a green card in any of the immigrant visa categories open to other foreign nationals, A and G visa holders must surrender their diplomatic rights, privileges, and immunities, which they must do in order to be eligible for a green card.
This visa is intended for permanent members of a diplomatic mission from a recognised country who are travelling to a specified international organisation on behalf of their respective government (and for eligible family members).
This page has been reviewed and verified by Michael Gibbons, Regulated Immigration Advisor. You can confirm appointment scheduling rules through Our U.S. Visa Guidance.