The NATO-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa specifically for permanent representatives, high-ranking officials, and immediate family members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member states who are traveling to the United States for official duties. This visa applies to ambassadors, ministers, permanent military officers, and government representatives assigned to NATO headquarters or related functions within the U.S. To apply for a NATO-1 visa, individuals must complete Form DS-160, attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and provide a diplomatic note or official orders confirming their status and purpose of travel. Immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, are eligible for derivative NATO-1 visas to accompany the primary visa holder.
Once approved, NATO-1 visa holders may enter and remain in the United States for the duration of their official assignment without the need for renewal as long as they continue in their NATO-related role. This visa is not subject to standard U.S. immigration restrictions and allows for dip-lomatic privileges, including exemption from certain taxes and legal protections under interna-tional agreements. NATO-1 visa holders are not required to obtain a separate work authorization, as their employment is inherently tied to their diplomatic function within NATO. However, they cannot engage in employment outside their NATO duties, and any change in their role may af-fect their visa status. Immediate family members may reside in the U.S. and attend school, and spouses may apply for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under certain conditions.
The NATO-1 visa is critical for maintaining international defense and diplomatic relations, al-lowing senior officials from NATO member countries to operate within the U.S. in accordance with the alliance’s agreements. Unlike most nonimmigrant visas, NATO-1 status is not a pathway to permanent residency and does not lead to a green card. However, long-term NATO officials may be eligible for special adjustment of status in rare cases. Due to the unique nature of this visa, applicants should ensure strict compliance with U.S. Department of State and NATO regulations to maintain their diplomatic privileges and status while in the United States.
The NATO-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designated for other representatives, officials, and per-sonnel of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries who are traveling to the United States for official duties. This category includes members of NATO delegations, tech-nical experts, military personnel, civilian employees, and administrative staff assigned to NATO operations within the U.S. Immediate family members, such as spouses and unmarried children under 21, are eligible for derivative NATO-2 visas to accompany the primary visa holder. To apply for a NATO-2 visa, individuals must complete Form DS-160, attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and provide a diplomatic note or official NATO travel orders verify-ing their assignment, purpose, and expected duration of stay.
Once approved, NATO-2 visa holders may enter the United States and remain for the duration of their NATO-related assignment without requiring renewals, as long as they continue their offi-cial duties. Unlike many nonimmigrant visas, NATO-2 holders are not subject to standard U.S. immigration restrictions and may receive diplomatic privileges, such as tax exemptions and legal protections under international agreements. Employment outside of official NATO duties is pro-hibited, but spouses of NATO-2 visa holders may apply for work authorization through U.S. Cit-izenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in certain cases. Additionally, children of NATO-2 personnel are permitted to attend school in the U.S. without requiring a separate student visa.
The NATO-2 visa is essential for maintaining NATO’s military and diplomatic operations within the United States, enabling allied personnel to support defense and international cooperation ef-forts. Unlike most U.S. visa categories, the NATO-2 visa does not lead to a green card or perma-nent residency, as its purpose is strictly tied to NATO duties. However, in rare cases, long-term NATO-2 visa holders may qualify for special adjustment of status if they meet certain eligibility requirements. To maintain legal status, NATO-2 visa holders must comply with U.S. Department of State and NATO regulations and ensure that any changes in their role are properly document-ed to avoid disruptions to their visa status.
The NATO-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designated for official clerical staff accompanying rep-resentatives of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries who are traveling to the United States for official duties. This visa category applies specifically to personal assis-tants, secretaries, and other clerical personnel who support NATO-1 and NATO-2 visa holders. Immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, are eligible for derivative NATO-3 visas to accompany the primary visa holder. To apply, individuals must complete Form DS-160, attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and provide offi-cial documentation, such as a diplomatic note or NATO travel orders, confirming their assign-ment and employment under NATO operations.
Once approved, NATO-3 visa holders may enter and remain in the U.S. for the duration of their NATO-related assignment without the need for renewal, as long as they continue their official clerical duties. The visa grants certain diplomatic privileges and protections, including exemptions from U.S. taxes and certain legal immunities, in accordance with international agreements. NATO-3 visa holders are restricted from seeking employment outside of their NATO duties, but spouses may apply for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in certain cases. Additionally, children of NATO-3 personnel may attend school in the U.S. without needing a separate student visa.
The NATO-3 visa is essential for supporting NATO officials and personnel in their diplomatic and defense-related operations within the United States. However, it is a temporary status and does not lead to a green card or permanent residency. If a NATO-3 visa holder’s employment assignment ends, they must either depart the U.S. or obtain a new visa status if eligible. To main-tain their legal status, NATO-3 visa holders should comply with all U.S. Department of State and NATO regulations and ensure their documentation remains current throughout their stay.
The NATO-4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designated for foreign officials working for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) who are being assigned to the United States. This visa ap-plies specifically to officers and employees of NATO other than those classified under NATO-1 or NATO-2 categories. Immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, may also qualify for derivative NATO-4 visas to accompany the principal visa holder. To apply, individuals must complete Form DS-160, schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and provide official NATO travel orders or a diplomatic note verifying their assign-ment. In many cases, visa application fees and certain standard requirements, such as biometrics, may be waived due to the diplomatic nature of the visa.
Once granted, the NATO-4 visa allows the holder to enter and remain in the United States for the duration of their official NATO assignment. This visa type includes certain diplomatic privileges and immunities, such as exemptions from taxation and some legal protections, in accordance with NATO agreements. However, NATO-4 visa holders are not permitted to engage in employment outside of their NATO duties. Spouses of NATO-4 visa holders may be eligible to apply for employment authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Additionally, dependent children can attend school in the U.S. without requiring a separate student visa.
The NATO-4 visa is vital for facilitating the operations of NATO personnel within the United States, ensuring that officials can fulfill their international defense and security-related responsi-bilities. This visa is strictly tied to NATO employment and does not provide a direct path to per-manent residency or a green card. If a NATO-4 visa holder’s assignment ends, they must either depart the U.S. or seek an alternative legal status if eligible. To maintain compliance, NATO-4 visa holders should adhere to all U.S. Department of State and NATO regulations and keep their documentation up to date throughout their stay.
The NATO-5 visa is intended for experts, specialists, or other individuals who are not NATO officials but are still participating in official NATO activities in the United States. This category applies to individuals hired for technical or support roles related to NATO operations, and not to those who hold official positions within NATO. The visa may also apply to contractors and other professionals who are brought to the U.S. to provide expertise or support for NATO-related pro-jects.
To apply for the NATO-5 visa, applicants must first submit Form DS-160 and schedule an inter-view at a U.S. embassy or consulate. They will need to present documentation such as official NATO employment contracts, letters from NATO agencies, or specific project details confirming the nature of their role and assignment. Immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, are eligible for derivative NATO-5 visas. The application process may require additional forms or information, depending on the applicant’s specific assignment.
Once approved, NATO-5 visa holders are permitted to enter the United States for the duration of their NATO-related assignment. This visa provides certain diplomatic privileges, including ex-emptions from some taxes and legal immunities, in line with NATO agreements. However, NATO-5 visa holders cannot engage in employment outside their NATO duties. As with other NATO visa categories, the NATO-5 visa does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or a green card. Should the assignment end, the individual must either depart the U.S. or change their visa status if eligible. It is important for NATO-5 visa holders to maintain valid documentation and adhere to all relevant U.S. Department of State and NATO regulations.
The NATO-6 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designed for members of a civilian component who are accompanying NATO forces on official duty in the United States. This visa category applies to individuals such as civilian employees, contractors, or specialists who are integral to supporting NATO military personnel but are not officially part of the NATO military force. Immediate fam-ily members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, may be eligible for derivative NATO-6 visas to accompany the primary visa holder. To apply, applicants must complete Form DS-160, schedule a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and submit supporting docu-mentation, such as official NATO travel orders or employment contracts confirming their role in supporting NATO operations.
Once granted, NATO-6 visa holders are authorized to enter and remain in the U.S. for the dura-tion of their NATO assignment. This visa includes specific diplomatic privileges and immunities, such as exemptions from certain taxes and legal protections, as provided under NATO agree-ments. However, NATO-6 visa holders are not permitted to engage in employment outside of their official NATO-related duties. Family members of NATO-6 visa holders, including spouses, may apply for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), depending on the circumstances. Children can attend school in the U.S. without the need for a separate student visa.
The NATO-6 visa plays a critical role in enabling civilian support personnel to assist NATO mil-itary forces in their missions within the United States. However, it is important to note that the NATO-6 visa is strictly tied to the holder's NATO-related employment and does not provide a path to permanent residency or a green card. If the NATO assignment ends, NATO-6 visa hold-ers must depart the U.S. or seek a change of status if eligible. To remain in good standing, it is essential for NATO-6 visa holders to comply with all U.S. Department of State and NATO regu-lations and ensure that their documentation remains valid throughout their stay in the United States.
The NATO-7 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designated for attendants, servants, or personal em-ployees of NATO officials and personnel who are assigned to the United States. This visa cate-gory applies to individuals such as domestic staff, chauffeurs, personal assistants, cooks, or other support workers employed by individuals holding NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, or NATO-4 vi-sas. In addition, immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, may be eligible for derivative NATO-7 visas to accompany the principal visa holder. To apply for the NATO-7 visa, applicants must complete Form DS-160, attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and submit a diplomatic note or official letter confirming their employment with NATO personnel.
Once approved, NATO-7 visa holders are authorized to enter and remain in the United States for the duration of their employer’s NATO assignment. The visa provides certain diplomatic privi-leges, including exemptions from taxation and specific legal immunities as part of NATO agreements. However, NATO-7 visa holders are strictly prohibited from engaging in employment outside of their designated duties with NATO personnel. If the individual’s employer is transferred or their assignment ends, the NATO-7 visa holder must either depart the U.S. or seek an alternate legal status if eligible. Family members holding derivative NATO-7 visas may also apply for employment authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under certain conditions.
The NATO-7 visa is essential for supporting NATO personnel by allowing domestic staff and personal employees to accompany them during their official assignments in the United States. It is important to note that this visa category is tied to the specific assignment and duties related to NATO, and it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or a green card. If the NATO assignment ends or the principal visa holder leaves the U.S., the NATO-7 visa holder and their family must leave the U.S. or adjust their status if applicable. To remain in compliance with U.S. immigration law, NATO-7 visa holders should ensure their documentation remains current and adhere to all U.S. Department of State and NATO regulations during their stay.
