Have you ever wondered what the G Visa and NATO Visa look like and what it entails worry not because this article will help you understand better?
What is a G Visa and a NATO Visa?
G visas are a type of visas that allows employees of international organizations to enter the US. NATO visas also have the same purpose, but they are just for NATO employees.
Officials from international organizations and NATO should be on official duties from their employers, if they want to enter the U.S in any other capacity, they must get different visas. If they are going for tourism, then tourism visas are best.
With either a G visa or NATO visa, the employee can go and stay in the U.S. They can only stay for the duration of the official activities. That is because the G visas and NATO visas are only for the duration that the person has duties in the U.S. The visa can’t be used for purposes other than their work.
At the time they are in the U.S, the official isn’t supposed to work for any other employer. They are not permitted to enroll in a university or try to overstay their visa. also if a person qualifies under the Visa Waiver Program, they are to still apply for the G visa or NATO visa. Officials of international organizations or NATO are not permitted to enter the U.S for official duties with Visa Waiver Program.
What are the Types of G Visas?
Under the U.S rules, there are 5 types of G visas as follows:
- G-1 visas are for permanent mission members of a known government who work for an international organization and their dependents;
- G-2 visa for representatives of a known government traveling to the U.S for meetings of an international organization and their dependents;
- G-3 visa for representatives of an unknown or non-member government and their dependents;
- G-4 visa for individuals traveling to the U.S to be appointed to an international organization including the United Nations, and their dependents;
- G-5 visa for personal employees or domestic workers of G-1 to G-4 visa holders.
What are the Types of NATO Visas?
There are 7 types of NATO visas, as follows:
- NATO-1 visa for permanent members of NATO or any of its subsidiaries, or for staff members of principal NATO representatives;
- NATO-2 visa for representatives of members states of NATO or any of its subsidiaries, or advisors/technical experts to a NATO delegation;
- NATO-3 visa for a member of the official clerical staff accompanying representatives of member states to NATO or any of its subsidiaries;
- NATO-4 visa for foreign nationals classified as NATO officials;
- NATO-5 visa for foreign nationals classified as NATO experts;
- NATO-6 visa for members of a civilian component of NATO;
- NATO-7 visa for attendants or personal employees of NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas.
What are the Requirements of G Visas and NATO Visas?
To get any of the G visas or NATO visas, officials have to show that they have been sent by their corresponding international organizations or NATO. They should provide evidence of the duties they will have while in the U.S. to prove eligibility for the visas.
The applicants are not permitted in any way to get a G or NATO visa if they are not on official duties.
Those who are applying for G visas have to show that the international organization is recognized by the U.S government and the president.
How to Apply for a G Visa or a NATO Visa?
There are various steps to apply for the G visas or NATO visas and they are very much similar and are as follows.
File Form DS-160 or Form DS-1648
The Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is the standard form that all nonimmigrant visa applicants must fill. It will need your personal information, background, and purpose of visit to the U.S. You are to fill the necessary sections for your visa and then submit it. Upon submission, you will get a confirmation page and code that you will attach to your document.
Submit supporting documents
to add to the main application forms, you are to also attach supporting documents. They will be used by the U.S Embassy to check your application and eligibility for the visa. the required documents you should file are:
- Passport
- Form DS-160 confirmation page;
- Photos that meet the USA visa Photograph Requirements;
- Diplomatic note from the international organization or NATO agreeing to your status and saying your duties in the U.S. The letter should include:
- The employee name, date of birth, job title, the name of the international organization the person will be working for, description of duties, travel dates, and length of stay in the U.S.;
Visa interview
The U.S does not need a visa interview for those applying for a G-1 to G-4 or NATO-1 to NATO-6 visa. but for those who are applying for a G-5 or NATO-7 visa will have to attend a visa interview at the U.S Embassy where they are applying. you will be asked questions regarding your application information and then a decision will be made regarding the visa.
What are the Fees for G Visas and NATO Visas?
Most G visa or NATO visa applicants are removed from visa application fees. The U.S Embassy can decide on a case-by-case basis if you should pay the fees or not.
How Long is the G Visa and NATO Visa Processing Time?
The G visas and NATO visas have fast processing times. If decisions are not made within a few days, they will be done within a few weeks. The U.S Embassy will give you a notice on whether you got the visa or not.
When you get approval, they will send your passport back within a few days or you can decide to pick it up. If you did not receive approval, the notice will tell you why your visa was denied.
How Long are G Visas and NATO Visas Valid For?
The G-1 to G-4 and NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas do not have a time limit. They are given for a few years, but the officials can get a renewal within the U.S. The officials are permitted to stay in the U.S for the time they have duties inside the country.
Anyone with the G-5 or NATO-7 visas has a validity of up to 3 years. After 3 years, they can get an extension for additional 2-year increments. But, anyone who has these visas cannot renew them while in the U.S. They must go back to their home countries and apply for renewal from there.
Anyone with the G-5 or NATO-7 visa is only permitted to renew their visas only if they will work for the same employer. once they change their employer, then they must apply from the scratch for new visas.
Can I Bring my Family to the U.S With a G or NATO Visa?
Officials with G or NATO visas can take their dependents to the U.S with them. They can only take immediate family members though.
Can I Bring my Personal Employees With a G or NATO Visa?
The G-5 and NATO-7 visas are for personnel or domestic employees of the G-1 to G-4 and NATO-1 to NATO-7 officials. They can have these visas through the required documents that their employers provide. They have to submit to the U.S Embassy the following documents:
- That they can speak English or a language that their employer understands;
- An employment contract that shows these sections:
- Description of the duties the employee will perform;
- The hours of work;
- The conditions for any overtime work;
- The manner in which the salary will be paid to the employee in a U.S bank account and the appeal that the employee save all payment records for 3 years after their employment ends;
- The transportation of the employee to and from the U.S.
Can I Get a Green Card With a G Visa or a NATO Visa?
The primary G or NATO visa holder and their dependents can be granted a Green Card if they fulfill any of the following conditions:
- If you are a retired officer or employee of an international organization who has been in the U.S for at least 50% of the last 7 years before you applied for a Green Card.
- You must have stayed in the U.S for at least 15 years before you retired and you have filed for special immigration status (Form I-360) at least 6 months after retirement.
- If you are the spouse of a deceased officer or employee of an international organization who has been present in the U.S for at least 50% of the last 7 years before you applied for a Green Card.
- Also, you must have lived in the U.S for at least 15 years before the death of your spouse and you have filed for special immigration status (Form I-360) at least 6 months after the death of your spouse.
- If you are an unmarried son or daughter of a current or former officer or employee of an international organization who has been present in the U.S for at least 50% of the last 7 years before you applied for a Green Card.
- Also, you must have lived in the U.S for at least 7 years between ages 5 and 21 and you have filed for adjustment of status before or on your 25th
Conclusion
Having a G Visa and a NATO Visa gives you access to the US on the basis of your international organization is and you can function better been there and also your family members can join you.
