G-5 Personal Employee or Domestic Worker of an International Organization Employee Visa
For personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of a G-1 through G-4 visa holder who will accompany or work for that international-organization official or employee 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(g)(1)).
- Extensions
- G-5 visas cannot be renewed inside the United States - a new visa must be obtained at a US Embassy/Consulate abroad. An extension of stay with the same employer can sometimes be coordinated by the Diplomatic Liaison Division/US Mission to the UN with USCIS, but 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; no other employment permitted.
- Dual intent
- No
- Dependents
- A dependent or family member of a G-5 principal may not be employed in the United States (8 CFR 214.2(g)(9)).
- Path to a green card
- No G-5-specific special immigrant category.
- Processing time
- unverified - no fixed timeline published; interview is mandatory so timing depends on post appointment availability.
Who qualifies
- Personal employee, attendant, or domestic worker of a valid G-1 through G-4 visa holder, meeting the requirements of 9 FAM 402.3-9
Requirements
- A written employment contract, in English (with translation if needed), signed by both employer and employee, meeting all terms of 9 FAM 402.3-9(B)(3): duties, hours (generally 35-40/week), at least one 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 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 - G-5 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 G-5 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
- Cannot change employers and remain in valid G-5 status without a new contract/visa process
- Not included in the domestic DS-1648 renewal program - must leave the US for a new visa
- Not exempt from the in-person interview or fingerprinting requirements
- Trafficking/abuse hotline (1-888-373-7888) exists for reporting contract violations or involuntary servitude
Also in international organization
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