Non-Immigrant VisaS
U.S. Visas for Diplomats, Government Officials and Employees of International Organizations
In Germany, all diplomatic/official U.S. visa requests are processed by the American Embassy, Berlin, Clay Building (Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin-Dahlem). Applications for visas for official travel to the United States may be submitted to the Diplomatic Visa Unit in Berlin from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm Monday through Friday, except on U.S. and German holidays. Courtesy interview appointments for diplomats applying for non-official (e.g. visitor) visas are normally scheduled at 2.00 p.m.
To make an appointment for the delivery of applications for official travel or for a courtesy interview to apply for a diplomatic visitor’s visa, please send an email to DiplomaticVisaBerlin@state.gov.
Note: No personal appearance is required for applications for official travel.
However, a personal interview by a consular officer and biometric fingerprinting are mandatory for applicants for diplomatic visitor’s visas.
Types of visas - Diplomats & Officials
Diplomats/Government Officials: To qualify for an "A" visa, the individual concerned must be traveling to the United States on behalf of his or her national government to engage in official activities for that government. The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not in itself the defining factor in determining whether or not the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the particular duties or services to be performed must also be of an inherently governmental character or nature. Local government officials representing their state, province, city or other local political entity do not qualify for "A" visa status, and normally require B-1/B-2 visas.
Important note: Foreign officials who intend to travel to the United States on official business must obtain an "A" visa prior to their entry. They may not travel on tourist visas, or visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions or traveling as tourists require a "B" visa, or, if eligible, may travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program.
International Organizations
To qualify for a "G" visa the individual concerned must be entering the United States in pursuance of official duties. Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization are eligible for G-1 Visas; representatives of a recognized government traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization are eligible for G-2 visas and representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments are eligible for G-3 visas. G-4 visas are issued to individuals who are proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations.
G-1, G-2, and G-3 visa applications must be accompanied by a Note Verbale from the applicant's national government. G-4 visa applications must be accompanied by an official request from the appropriate international organization.
NATO Visas
An individual will be classified under the symbol "NATO", if he or she is seeking admission to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff. 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 a NATO Status of Forces Agreement. In the case of the later, they must carry official military ID cards and NATO travel orders.
Immediate Family Members of Diplomats/Officials, NATO Members
- are defined as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are members of the principal applicant's household. They are eligible for a derivative visa. Cohabitating domestic partners who are recognized as the principal alien’s dependent by the sending government, while not eligible for derivative visas, may apply for B1/B2 visas, if otherwise qualified.
Domestic Employees of Diplomatic/Official/NATO visa holders may, under certain conditions, obtain A-3, G-5 or NATO-7 Visas.
HOW TO APPLY:
A fully-completed and signed electronic visa application form DS-156, is required for each visa applicant. The requirement that male applicants between the ages 16 and 45 complete the supplemental visa application form DS-157 does not apply to applicants for A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-4 or NATO visas. The visa application form should be delivered to the Embassy along with a valid passport, one recent color photo, a Note Verbale and a copy of the German diplomatic ID (Protokollausweis) for diplomats/officials accredited to Germany. The Note Verbale should list the names of the travelers and specify their title or official status. It should also specify the date of departure from Germany, the purpose of the trip, the applicant's destination and length of proposed stay in the United States.
A personal interview with a consular officer and biometric fingerprints are required for Domestic Servant applicants for A-3, G-5 and NATO-7 Visas, as well as B1/B2 applicants applying as cohabitating domestic partners of Diplomats/Officials.
Visa processing and issuance fees:
Diplomatic passport holders are exempt from paying visa fees for all types of visas. Official passport holders are not charged visa application fees for official visas, but are required to pay visa application and reciprocal issuance fees, if applicable, for all non-official visas.
