A-2 Foreign Government Official and Employee Visa
For foreign government officials and full-time government employees (below head-of-state/A-1 rank) coming to the United States to perform official duties on behalf of their government, including staff posted to an embassy or consulate, and their immediate family members.
- Duration
- Initial admission: duration of status (D/S), tied to continued Dept of State recognition (8 CFR 214.2(a)(1)); assignments under 90 days annotated 'TDY'. Maximum stay: no fixed cap - tied to the official assignment.
- Extensions
- No formal extension-of-stay filing; D/S continues automatically. The visa can be renewed domestically via Form DS-1648 through the Diplomatic Liaison Division/OFM for A-2 holders resident in the metro area of their post; no fee.
- Work
- Employment authorized only in the official government capacity for which the visa was issued.
- Dual intent
- limited - no explicit dual-intent statute; status ends with the official assignment. No A-2-specific special immigrant/green-card category exists.
- Dependents
- Spouse and qualifying unmarried children receive derivative A-2 status and may study freely. May work under a Dept of State-recognized bilateral agreement or de facto reciprocal arrangement (Form I-566, then USCIS employment authorization in increments up to 3 years).
- Path to a green card
- No A-2-specific special immigrant category. Standard family- or employment-based sponsorship only, if independently eligible.
- Processing time
- unverified - no fixed timeline published for A-2 abroad; varies by post. Domestic DS-1648 renewal: minimum 7-10 business days once received by the Diplomatic Liaison Division.
Who qualifies
- Foreign government official or full-time employee assigned to work at an embassy or consulate in the US, performing duties there
- Government official traveling on written request of their country to perform official duties for not more than 90 days
- Staff of EU and AU delegation representatives
- Foreign military personnel stationed at a US military base or assigned to a foreign embassy or consulate
- Immediate family members of an A-2 visa holder
Requirements
- Travel must be solely to engage in official government activities
- Duties must be governmental in character as determined by the Dept of State
- Diplomatic note confirming name, position, duties, and travel dates (required content since July 1, 2014)
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the period of stay unless exempt
How to apply
- 1
Complete Form DS-160 online and print the confirmation page
- 2
Obtain a diplomatic note confirming status, title, duties, and travel dates
- 3
Gather passport and photo meeting requirements
- 4
Interview generally not required (consular officer may still request one)
- 5
Attend any required interview/fingerprinting
- 6
Await any administrative processing
Fees and forms
| MRV nonimmigrant visa application fee | No fee - A visas exempt under 22 CFR 41.26 / 9 FAM 402.3-4(F) |
| Visa issuance fee | No fee for A-2 holders and immediate family |
| DS-1648 domestic renewal | No fee |
DS-160 (initial application abroad)DS-1648 (domestic renewal)I-566 (dependent employment/status change)
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- 2025-09-18: A-2 confirmed on the interview-waiver-eligible list effective October 1, 2025.
- 2026-01-01: Presidential Proclamation 10998 entry suspension took effect for 39 countries; 'certain diplomatic and official visas' are exempted, which secondary legal sources identify as covering A visas.
Where it goes wrong
- A-2 cannot be used for commercial or tourist purposes
- Using the visa after the assignment ends is not permitted even if unexpired
- Personal employees of an A-2 official need their own A-3 visa and cannot rely on the A-2 holder's status
Also in diplomatic
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