Last reviewed September 6, 2026
Overview: G visas support qualifying official work connected to a designated international organization, such as certain assignments at the United Nations or World Bank. Working for an organization with an international name or nonprofit purpose is not enough.
The assignment and G subtypes
- G-1: qualifying principal resident representatives of recognized member governments, their staff and qualifying immediate family.
- G-2: other qualifying representatives of recognized member governments traveling temporarily to attend meetings of a designated organization, and qualifying immediate family.
- G-3: specified representatives of unrecognized or nonmember governments and qualifying immediate family.
- G-4: qualifying officers and employees of designated international organizations and qualifying immediate family.
- G-5: qualifying attendants, servants or personal employees of G-1 through G-4 principals.
The employer, organization’s designation, government’s relationship and actual assignment determine eligibility. An outside contractor does not automatically qualify as a G-4 employee.
Application steps
- The organization or government mission documents the role and subtype through its personnel or protocol office.
- Evidence includes the official request or note, assignment records, passport, photograph and family documents.
- Overseas processing generally uses DS-160. Permitted official renewals inside the United States may use DS-1648.
- Interview requirements depend on the category. G-5 domestic-worker applicants have specific interview and contract requirements.
- Admission is followed by any required registration through the organization or mission.
A private-purpose trip can require a different category. The fact that someone previously held G status does not establish eligibility for a later unrelated visit.
Family and work permission
Official-category immediate-family rules differ from the usual spouse-and-under-21-child shorthand. Household membership, age or dependency conditions and official recognition can matter. Each relative must meet the official-category definition.
Dependent employment requires the applicable authorization process and eligibility under relevant arrangements. The principal’s international-organization employment does not itself authorize a dependent’s private-sector work.
G-5 personal employees need compliant contracts and protection of their labor rights. Employment authorization is connected to the qualifying arrangement; it is not unrestricted permission for other domestic work.
Assignment changes and departure
Address, employment and family changes can create reporting requirements through the organization. The authorized stay is linked to qualifying official circumstances and admission rules. A visa’s remaining validity does not by itself establish continuing status after an assignment ends.
Retirement, resignation or private employment can affect departure or change-of-status requirements. Certain long-serving international-organization employees and family members have special-immigrant provisions with detailed service and residence requirements. Ordinary G service does not automatically create a green-card entitlement.
Official visa classifications have applicable fee exemptions, but unrelated applications and any status changes have their own instructions and costs.
Official sources
- Department of State: international-organization and NATO visas
- Department of State: official-category questions