International Organizations and NATO

International Organizations

These visa classifications apply to employees of/representatives of certain international organizations traveling to the U.S. on official business:

A G-1 visa is required if you are a member of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization traveling to the United States in pursuance of official duties.

A G-2 visa is required if you are a representative of a recognized government temporarily traveling to the United States to attend meetings of a designated international organization.

A G-3 visa is required if you are a representative of non-recognized or non-member government temporarily traveling to the United States to attend meetings of a designated international organization.

A G-4 visa is required for individual personnel traveling to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations.

NATO

An applicant is classified under the symbol NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 if seeking admission to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters Set Up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty. This includes, national representatives, international staff and immediate family members of an individual classified NATO-1 through NATO-6.

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.

Spouses and Children

If accompanying or following to join a military member on NATO travel orders, the spouse and children should apply for NATO-2 visas.  If accompanying a G visa holder spouse on travel, the spouse and children should apply for the same classification of G visa.