Schedule a Consultation Today!
Visa for Ambassadors and Representatives of Foreign Countries
Diplomats, officials or employees of embassies or consulates of foreign countries will need a Type A diplomatic visa to travel to the United States. If you travel to the United States as a representative of a foreign government, you need this visa. Ambassadors are an example. However, you should keep in mind that this visa has several categories depending on the administrative position. Our Diplomatic Visas Lawyer in Miami at One People Law have more experience advising people with any type of U.S. visa. We can help you navigate the intricate pathway to obtain your diplomatic visa.
What is the Type A Diplomatic Visa?
Category A is one of the types of American visas and is only available to diplomatic officials or administrative staff of a foreign government who wish to enter the U.S. to provide diplomatic or government services.
The type A diplomatic visa has three categories: A1, A2, and A3. Each of these visas will be granted depending on the level of the diplomat or government official.
Visa Type A1
The A1 diplomatic visa is granted to high-level officials of a foreign government for temporary visits or permanent services, such as the Head of State or Government, officials traveling to the U.S. as ambassadors or consuls, government ministers or members of the administration traveling for official activities, representatives of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), and immediate relatives of the A1 visa holder.
Visa Type A2
The A2 visa is issued to mid-ranking officials who work full-time in an embassy or consulate in the United States, including full-time employees from another country, foreign military service members, EU and AU representatives, and immediate relatives of A2 visa holders.
Visa Type A3
A3 visas are for domestic employers accompanying A1 and A2 visa holders. Applicants for the A3 visa must apply outside of the United States.
Who Qualifies for a Type A Diplomatic Visa?
Heads of State or Government, Ambassadors, consuls, and certain government officials qualify for an A-1 visa. Government officials travelling to the U.S. on government programs for 90 days or less are issued A1 visas, marked “TDY” or “temporary service.”
Individuals who are eligible for an A2 visa include:
- Officials and full-time employees of a foreign government working in an embassy or consular office in the US.
- Immediate relatives of diplomats and full-time employees of consuls and embassies.
For an A3 visa, the following individuals qualify:
- Relatives or staff residing in the diplomat, official, or employee’s home, including personal assistants and domestic workers such as caregivers, babysitters, tutors, chefs, and others.
At One People Law, we have a team of Diplomatic Visas attorneys in Hialeah who tell us which officers qualify for an A-1 visa: immigration experts who will help you and your staff with the processing of your diplomatic visa.
Purpose of Visiting the U.S. to Apply for a Type A Diplomatic Visa - Our Diplomatic Visa Lawyers can help
The diplomat’s visit should be solely for official activities representing their country. If their mission is commercial, they must apply for another visa. Authorities visiting the US for personal reasons must apply for a B2 tourist visa. Officials like mayors or governors attending conferences are not eligible for A1 or A2 visas, even if invited by another US mayor.
For more information on the appropriate visa for travelling to the US, consult One People Law. Our Diplomatic visa lawyers in Fort Lauderdale know exactly which visa is best for you.
What Are the Benefits of an A1 Diplomatic Visa?
This visa grants its holders a series of benefits within the United States. These are some:
- You can travel in and out of the United States for an unlimited time while your visa is current and valid.
- Not be charged, prosecuted, or tried by any court in the United States if they commit a crime. The reason is because they enjoy diplomatic immunity.
- Expedited processing of the requested visa without priority dates or waiting times.
- The spouse and children of the visa holder also receive an A1 or A2 visa. While staff members serving you at home receive A3 visas.
- There are no age limits for companions of the visa holder, unlike other types of visas for the US. The only requirement is that the government that represents recognises the link through marriage, blood or adoption of the relative.
Can the A1 Diplomatic Visa Be Revoked?
The Diplomatic Visa Attorneys of Fort Lauderdale at One People Law know the ways in which your diplomatic visa can be revoked and will be willing to help you if necessary.
The A1 visa can be revoked if the US government believes that the A1 visa holder poses a danger to the country. For example:
- Conspires against the U.S. government to overthrow it or harm its form of government.
- Plan to commit crimes.
- Engage in espionage activities or attempt to obtain classified information from the country.
- The Secretary of State determines that his presence affects the U.S. government.
On the other hand, A-1 visa holders have certain restrictions within the United States:
- They do not have employment authorisation, unlike other non-immigrant visa holders.
- They assumed that their presence in the United States was for government purposes on behalf of their country and not to work in the United States.
- They can also not enrol in courses or academic programs (student visa for the United States) because doing so could distract them from the primary purpose of the visit.
If you think your visa may be unfairly revoked for any of these reasons, our Diplomatic Visas Lawyers in Miami Gardens will be able to help you.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for an A1, A2 or A3 Visa?
The documents required to apply for an A1 or A2 visa are the following:
- Valid passport.
- Travel itinerary.
- History of international travel made in the last five years, including to the United States.
- Data about your education and work resume.
- Diplomatic note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chancellery).
- Form DS-160, electronic nonimmigrant visa application.
- In addition to the DS-160 document, you must send other additional documents to the US embassy or consulate or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Valid diplomatic passport with a validity period greater than six months after your planned departure to the US.
- Passport-type photograph according to visa requirements.
- A diplomatic note issued by the government of the foreign country it represents.
- Confirmation receipt of form DS-160.
To apply for an A3 visa, you will need to present the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Copy of your employment contract.
- Know your temporary worker protection rights before your interview with the U.S. embassy or consulate.
You should not allow your employer to keep your passport, contract, or personal property for any reason. This may prejudice your eligibility. Consult our Diplomatic Visa Attorney in Miami Gardens to find out what else may affect your eligibility.
During the interview at the US embassy or consulate, you will need to include the following:
- The completed DS-160 form.
- Gather the documents required for A visa applicants:
- Identification document.
- Photography.
- Diplomatic note.
- Have the employer’s employment contract.
What is the Procedure to Apply for the A1 or A2 visa?
The procedure to apply for an A1 or A2 visa is quite simple but varies depending on the embassy or consulate where it is processed. These steps are:
- If you are already inside the US and entered with some type of visa, you can submit the A-1 visa application to USCIS with the help of our Diplomatic Visas Lawyers in Opa Locka. If you are outside the US, you must process the application at the US embassy or consulate in your country of origin.
- Pay the visa application fee. Those who apply for A1 visas are exempt from this payment.
- Request and complete Form DS-160.
- Send it for processing.
After you apply, USCIS sends a receipt, which must be kept in the file. The receipt contains a number, which is very important as it will be required later
How Long Does An A-1 Visa Processing Take?
The processing time for an A-1 visa is usually short. In some cases, the response to the visa application is immediate, even on the same day as the request.
After a US Embassy or consulate officer stamps the applicant’s passport, they will grant your A-1 visa. The visa can be approved for the time required for the diplomatic mission or for an indefinite period. If it’s indefinite, the A-1 visa holder can stay in the US indefinitely, but it’s not the same as having a Green Card. Visa extensions can be requested from the Department of State as needed.
Secure Your legal Rights with Diplomatic Visa Lawyer with One People Law
Diplomatic visas are a specific and very essential part of the United States visa system. Many immigration lawyers avoid diplomatic visas altogether because they only apply to a tiny percentage of the world’s population. While applying for diplomatic visas may seem routine, many areas require special attention. If you are entering the United States on a diplomatic passport and want to maintain diplomatic immunity, contact our Diplomatic Visa Attorney in Opa Locka today.
Reach out to us at (954) 727-5585 today. Our Orlando business visa attorneys are always available for you.
Our services are available in English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese.
CONTACT OUR LOCATIONS
Select your desired One People Law Location Below and fill out the form
