Last reviewed September 6, 2026
Overview: A visas are for specified foreign national-government officials and qualifying family members traveling in the appropriate official capacity. The person’s duties and trip determine the classification; possessing a diplomatic passport alone does not.
A-1, A-2 and A-3
A-1 includes ambassadors, qualifying diplomats and certain senior officials. Heads of state or government use A-1 regardless of the trip’s purpose, a specific exception to the ordinary official-purpose requirement.
A-2 covers other qualifying national-government officials and employees on official assignments, including certain military assignments. Local or provincial government officials and government employees traveling for ordinary tourism or commercial purposes generally need the category appropriate to that activity.
A-3 is for qualifying personal employees, attendants or domestic workers of A-1/A-2 principals. It has separate employment-contract, interview and worker-protection requirements.
The sending government’s protocol office
The office documents the official assignment and coordinates with the U.S. embassy or consulate. The diplomatic note identifies the applicant’s name, position, duties, destination, purpose, expected dates and accompanying household members. The State Department determines whether the duties support the requested classification.
An official attending a private business event is not automatically traveling in A status. The actual purpose matters independently of rank or passport type.
Application sequence
- The official role and government documentation establish the requested subtype.
- Supporting documents include the diplomatic note, passport, photograph and required family evidence.
- Overseas processing generally uses DS-160 and the consulate’s official-visa submission procedure.
- A-1/A-2 interviews are generally not required, but an officer may request one; A-3 applicants must be interviewed.
- Visa issuance and admission are followed by any required accreditation or registration through the mission.
Certain A-1/A-2 renewals inside the United States use DS-1648 and the State Department’s renewal process. That is different from an initial overseas application or a change of status. Official classifications have fee exemptions under State Department rules; an official passport does not exempt every private-purpose application.
Family and employment
The official-category definition of immediate family is not simply the under-21 rule used for many work visas. It includes qualifying spouses and unmarried children under applicable conditions and may include other qualifying household relatives recognized by the sending government. Mission documentation establishes the relationship, household membership and relevant recognition.
Dependents do not automatically have unrestricted work authorization. Employment may be possible under qualifying bilateral or de facto arrangements and the required authorization process. Employment cannot begin before the required authorization.
An A-3 worker requires a compliant written contract. Pay, hours, time off, passport access and legal protections are part of the worker-protection framework. Authorization is tied to the qualifying arrangement, not every domestic-service job.
End of assignment and future plans
Assignment changes, departure and changes of status involve mission and agency procedures. Diplomatic privileges and immunities depend on the person’s recognized role; a visa label alone does not establish blanket immunity.
A green-card or private-employment plan involves separate eligibility and may require waivers of privileges or additional forms. Official service does not automatically convert to permanent residence.
Official sources
- Department of State: diplomats and foreign government officials
- Department of State: official visa questions