A-3 Personal Employee or Domestic Worker of a Diplomat Visa
For personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers (such as household staff, nannies, cooks, or drivers) of an A-1 or A-2 visa holder who will accompany or work for that diplomat or official in the United States.
- Duration
- Initial admission: not more than 3 years. Maximum stay per extension increment: not more than 2 years (8 CFR 214.2(a)(1)).
- Extensions
- A-3 visas cannot be renewed inside the United States - a new visa must be obtained at a US Embassy/Consulate abroad. An extension of stay (not a new visa) to continue with the same employer can sometimes be coordinated between the Diplomatic Liaison Division/US Mission to the UN and USCIS, but this is not available if the employee has changed or intends to change employers.
- Work
- May work only for the specific employer named in the contract, performing the domestic duties described in it; may not accept any other employment.
- Dual intent
- No
- Dependents
- A dependent or family member of an A-3 principal may not be employed in the United States under 8 CFR 214.2(a)(9). (unverified whether A-3 dependents may hold a derivative A-3 classification themselves; the sourced material describes A-3 primarily as the employee's own visa and focuses on the employment bar for family members.)
- Path to a green card
- No A-3-specific special immigrant category. Standard family- or employment-based sponsorship only, generally requiring departure and consular processing given A-3's contract-tied, single-intent nature.
- Processing time
- unverified - no fixed timeline published on the sourced pages; interview is mandatory so processing depends on post appointment availability.
Who qualifies
- Personal employee, attendant, or domestic worker of a person holding a valid A-1 or A-2 visa, meeting the requirements of 9 FAM 402.3-9
Requirements
- A written employment contract, in English (with translation if the employee does not understand English), signed by both employer and employee, meeting all terms specified in 9 FAM 402.3-9(B)(3)
- Contract must state duties, normal hours (generally 35-40 hours/week expected), at least one full day off per week, paid holidays/sick/vacation days
- Minimum wage: the greater of federal/state minimum wage or the prevailing wage; no deductions for lodging, medical care/insurance, travel, or meals
- Wages paid weekly or biweekly, and after the first 90 days by check or electronic transfer into a US bank account the employee alone controls
- Overtime paid per federal/state law; on-call time counts as work time
- Employer must provide transportation to and from the United States
- Employee keeps their own passport and contract at all times
- In-person interview at a US Embassy/Consulate abroad required (employer/agent does not attend)
- If the employer is not the principal/deputy principal officer or does not hold diplomatic rank of minister or higher, they must show sufficient funds to pay the wage and working conditions in the contract
How to apply
- 1
Employer and employee sign an employment contract meeting all 9 FAM 402.3-9(B)(3) terms
- 2
Complete Form DS-160 and print the confirmation page
- 3
Gather passport, photo, and a diplomatic note confirming the employer's official status
- 4
Schedule and attend a required in-person interview at a US Embassy/Consulate (employer/agent does not attend)
- 5
Provide fingerprints as part of the interview
- 6
Await any administrative processing before the visa is issued
Fees and forms
| MRV nonimmigrant visa application fee | No fee - A-3 personal/domestic employees are exempt (9 FAM 402.3-4(F)) |
DS-160Employment contract (State Dept recommends the 'A-3 and G-5 Employment Contract Template')
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- 2026-03-30: State Dept expanded online-presence (social media) vetting to include all A-3 applicants, instructing them to set social media privacy settings to public/open during screening.
Where it goes wrong
- Must keep your own passport and a copy of your contract - the employer may not hold them for any reason
- Cannot change employers and remain in valid A-3 status without a new contract/visa process
- Not included in the domestic DS-1648 renewal program - must leave the US to obtain a new visa
- Not exempt from the in-person interview or fingerprinting requirements, unlike the A-1/A-2 principal employer
- A domestic-abuse hotline (1-888-373-7888) exists specifically because of past exploitation in this category - contract violations should be reported
Also in diplomatic
Not sure this is the one? Describe your situation and the finder will name the options worth exploring. None of this is legal advice; eligibility turns on facts a page cannot see.