The type of visa required by a diplomat, other government official, or member of the military depends upon their reason for entering the United States. The one exception is for a head of state or government who qualifies for an A-1 visa regardless of the purpose of their visit to the United States.
The Consular Section encourages the submission of diplomatic and official visa applications at least two weeks prior to departure as some applications may require further administrative processing.
A – Foreign Government Officials
Diplomats and other foreign government officials traveling to the United States to engage solely in official duties or activities on behalf of their national government must obtain A-1 or A-2 visas prior to entering the United States. The specific duties or services that will be performed must be governmental in character or nature, as determined by the U.S. Department of States, in accordance with U.S. immigration laws. Government officials traveling as tourists need a B visa or, if eligible, travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Embassies and consulates generally do not require interviews for those applying for A-1 and A-2 visas, although a consular officer can request an interview.
Step 1: Complete the online visa application form DS-160
Step 2: Gather additional required documents:
Visa application form DS-160, confirmation page only
Valid passport or other travel document
A photograph, meeting the photo requirements
A Diplomatic Note. This note is written confirmation from your country’s government of your status and official purpose of travel.
Birth certificate for accompanying unmarried sons and daughters
Marriage certificate for accompanying spouse.
Step 3: Apply for your visa
Ministries, diplomatic missions, and international organizations that wish to submit visa applications on behalf of their diplomatic personnel and/or other government officials and their immediate families may do so on Mondays through Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applications may be submitted by mail or in person.
Applications submitted by mail should be sent recommended and addressed as follows:
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen
Consular Section
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
2100 København Ø
ATTN: Diplomatic/Official Visa Requests
Applications submitted in person must be submitted by the applicant, diplomatic courier, or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals dropping off diplomatic and official visa applications will be required to present a valid diplomatic or official ID and sign a log book. Please note that all diplomatic and official visa applications should be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to:
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen
Consular Section
ATTN: Diplomatic/Official Visa Requests
Diplomatic and official visa applicants should monitor the status of their visa applications at https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker. When the status is ISSUED, the passport will be ready for pick-up or pass back from the Embassy on the following business day.
Applications containing self-addressed stamped envelopes will be mailed the following business day. Passports without self-addressed stamped envelopes may be collected on the following business day, Mondays through Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. All applications must be collected by the applicant, diplomatic courier or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals picking up diplomatic and official visas will be required to present a valid diplomatic or official ID.
G – International Organizations
Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States need G visas. To receive a G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa, you must be traveling to attend meetings at, visit, or work at a designated international organization.
Diplomats, government officials, and employees of certain international organizations traveling as tourists need a B visa or, if eligible, travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Step 1: Complete the online visa application form DS-160
Step 2: Gather additional required documents:
Visa application form DS-160, confirmation page only
Valid passport or other travel document
A photograph, meeting the photo requirements
Telegraphic confirmation from the Department or from the Chief of the Transportation Section, United Nations Secretariat/ A Diplomatic Note
Birth certificate for accompanying unmarried sons and daughters
Marriage certificate for accompanying spouse.
Step 3: Apply for your visa.
Ministries, diplomatic missions, and international organizations that wish to submit visa applications on behalf of their diplomatic personnel and/or other government officials and their immediate families may do so on Mondays through Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applications may be submitted by mail or in person.
Applications submitted by mail should be sent recommended and addressed as follows:
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen
Consular Section
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
2100 København Ø
ATTN: Diplomatic/Official Visa Requests
Applications submitted in person must be submitted by the applicant, diplomatic courier, or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals dropping off diplomatic and official visa applications will be required to present a valid diplomatic or official ID and sign a log book. Please note that all diplomatic and official visa applications should be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to:
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen
Consular Section
ATTN: Diplomatic/Official Visa Requests
Diplomatic and official visa applicants should monitor the status of their visa applications at https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker. When the status is ISSUED, the passport will be ready for pick-up or pass back from the Embassy on the following business day.
Applications containing self-addressed stamped envelopes will be mailed the following business day. Passports without self-addressed stamped envelopes may be collected on the following business day, Mondays through Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. All applications must be collected by the applicant, diplomatic courier or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals picking up diplomatic and official visas will be required to present a valid diplomatic or official ID.
NATO
To receive a NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 visa, you must be traveling to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters set up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty. This includes national representatives, international staff, and immediate family members.
If traveling as tourist you will need a B visa or, if eligible, travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Step 1: Complete the online visa application form DS-160
Step 2: Gather additional required documents:
Visa application form DS-160, confirmation page only
Valid passport or other travel document
A photograph, meeting the photo requirements
NATO Travel Order
Diplomatic Note
Birth certificate for accompanying unmarried sons and daughters
Marriage certificate for accompanying spouse.
Step 3: Apply for your visa.
Ministries, diplomatic missions, and international organizations that wish to submit visa applications on behalf of their diplomatic personnel and/or other government officials and their immediate families may do so on Mondays through Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applications may be submitted by mail or in person.
Applications submitted by mail should be sent recommended and addressed as follows:
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen
Consular Section
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
2100 København Ø
ATTN: Diplomatic/Official Visa Requests
Applications submitted in person must be submitted by the applicant, diplomatic courier, or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals dropping off diplomatic and official visa applications will be required to present a valid diplomatic or official ID and sign a log book. Please note that all diplomatic and official visa applications should be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to:
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen
Consular Section
ATTN: Diplomatic/Official Visa Requests
Diplomatic and official visa applicants should monitor the status of their visa applications at https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker. When the status is ISSUED, the passport will be ready for pick-up or pass back from the Embassy on the following business day.
Applications containing self-addressed stamped envelopes will be mailed the following business day. Passports without self-addressed stamped envelopes may be collected on the following business day, Mondays through Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. All applications must be collected by the applicant, diplomatic courier or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals picking up diplomatic and official visas will be required to present a valid diplomatic or official ID
Passport and Visa Exemptions for NATO Forces
Many armed forces personnel are exempt from passport and visa requirements if they are:
Attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in the United States and are traveling on official business; or entering the United States under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. When traveling in visa exempt status, such personnel generally enter the United States by military aircraft or naval vessel. You must present your official military identification card and NATO travel orders. If you will be traveling on a non-military aircraft or naval vessel, we recommend that you apply for a visa.
Note: Immediate family members are not included in the passport and visa exemption. Therefore, when family members are traveling with you or following to join you at a later date, each person must have a passport and NATO visa to enter the United States.
Personal employees, domestic workers, and attendants – A3, G5, and NATO7
Personal employees, attendants, domestic workers, or servants of individuals, who hold a valid A-1 or A-2, G-1 through G-4, or NATO-1 through NATO-6 visa, need an A-3, G-5, or a NATO-7 visa. As part of the application process, an interview at the embassy or consulate is required. Proof that the applicant will receive a fair wage, sufficient to financially support himself, comparable to that being offered in the area of employment in the U.S. is required. In addition, the applicant needs to demonstrate that he/she will perform the contracted employment duties. The consular officer will determine eligibility for the A-3, G-5 and NATO-7 visa. Applicants for A-3, G-5 and NATO-7 visas are exempt from paying the visa application fee and must apply for their visa outside the United States.
Step 1: Complete the online visa application form DS-160
Step 2: Gather additional required documents:
- Visa application form DS-160, confirmation page only
- Valid passport or other travel document
- A photograph, meeting the photo requirements
- A Diplomatic Note
- Employment contract
Step 3: Schedule interview
When you have gathered all required documents, please send an email to: CopenhagenNIV@state.gov to schedule an appointment for visa interview.
Diplomatic and official visa applicants should monitor the status of their visa applications at https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker . When the status is ISSUED, the passport will be ready for pick-up or pass back from the Embassy on the following business day.
Applications containing self-addressed stamped envelopes will be mailed the following business day. Passports without self-addressed stamped envelopes may be collected on the following business day, Mondays through Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. All applications must be collected by the applicant, diplomatic courier or official messenger. For security reasons, all individuals picking up diplomatic and official visas will be required to present a valid ID.