A-1, A-2, or C-3 (Officials in Foreign Governments and Immediate Family) and G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 (International Organizations & NATO) visa applicants are exempt from paying visa application fees and may submit their applications without an interview through window #213 of the U.S. Embassy Seoul Nonimmigrant Visa Consular Section or through the designated courier service provider (Ilyang Logis).
A-1, A-2, or C-3 (Officials in Foreign Governments and Immediate Family)
- A-1 (Ambassador, Public Minister, or Immediate Family)
- A-2 (Foreign Government Official or Employee, or Immediate Family)
To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, the individual concerned must be travelling to the United States on behalf of his/her national government to engage solely in official activities for that government. The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not in itself the defining factor in determining whether or not the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the duties or services to be performed must also be of an inherently governmental character or nature. Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for “A” visa status and should apply for B1/B2 visas.
- C-3 (Foreign Government Official, Immediate Family, Attendant, Servant or Personal Employee, in Transit)
An accredited official of a foreign government intending to proceed in immediate and continuous transit through the United States on official business for that government is classifiable C3. Members of the immediate family, attendants, servants, or personal employees of such an official receive the same classification as the principal alien.
Government officials coming for more than 90 days must be assigned to their embassy, a consulate, a United States military installation, or a “miscellaneous foreign government organization” (MFGO) that has been accredited by the Department of State’s Protocol Office. The first step in accrediting an organization as an MFGO, if it is not accredited already, is to contact the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
NOTE: Government officials who are traveling to the United States on official business must obtain an “A” visa prior to their entry. They cannot travel on B1/B2 visas or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried children of any age who are members of the household and are eligible for derivative A visas.
Application Procedures
Please submit the following documents through either Ilyang service or schedule an appointment to drop them off at window #213 of the U.S. Embassy Seoul, Nonimmigrant Visa Section weekdays (excluding U.S. and Korean holidays) between 10:00 – 11:00 am or 2:00 – 4:00 pm. To schedule an appointment, please submit the visiting individual’s name and expected date of visit to SeoulConsDipOffvisas@state.gov.
Required documents: (Note: A-1, A-2 or C3 visa applicants are not required to pay a visa application fee)
- A valid passport
- A printed confirmation page from the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, DS-160 for each applicant.
- A photo taken within the past six months, 50mm x 50mm, with white background.
- Your old passport containing your previously issued U.S. visa, if applying for a renewal.
- Diplomatic note (a.k.a. Visa Note): The note or letter should include the following information concerning the principal applicant.
- Name and date of birth
- Position and title
- Place of assignment or visit
- Purpose of travel
- Brief description of duties (including work hours per week for G1, G3 and G4 visa application)
- Travel date
- Anticipated length of stay or tour of duty in the United States and
- The names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the principal
G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 (International Organizations & NATO)
Employees of a designated international organization and immediate family members
To qualify for a G visa the individual must be entering the United States in pursuance of official duties as follows.
- G-1 – Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization
- G-2 – Representatives of a recognized government traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization
- G-3 – Representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments
- G-4 – Personnel proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations
Immediate family members are defined as the spouse and unmarried children of any age who are members of the household and are eligible for derivative G visas.
Application Procedures
Please submit the following documents through either Ilyang service or schedule an appointment to drop them off at window #213 of the U.S. Embassy Seoul, Nonimmigrant Visa Section weekdays (excluding U.S. & Korean holidays) between 10:00 – 11:00am or 2:00 – 4:00pm. To schedule an appointment, please submit the visiting individual’s name and expected date of visit to SeoulConsDipOffvisas@state.gov.
Required documents: (Note: G visa applicants are not required to pay a visa application fee)
- Your valid passport
- A printed confirmation page from the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, DS-160 for each applicant.
- A photo taken within the past six months, 50mm x 50mm, with white background.
- A letter of employment or contract from the hiring organization is needed for personnel proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization (Note: An employment letter from the UN should be signed by the Chief of Transportation Section).
- Your old passport containing your previously issued U.S. visa, if applying for a renewal.
- A diplomatic note (a.k.a. visa note), transportation cable/note (For UN employees), or invitation letter is needed for members of a permanent mission or officials traveling temporarily to attend meetings on behalf of a recognized government to an international organization. The note or letter should include the following information concerning the principal applicant
- Name and date of birth
- Position and title
- Place of assignment or visit
- Purpose of travel
- Brief description of duties (including work hours per week for G1, G3 and G4 visa application)
- Travel date
- Anticipated length of stay or tour of duty in the United States and
- The names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the principal
The following applicants are exempt from paying visa application fees but required to schedule an appointment for an interview.
Applicants with diplomatic passport who are applying for a nonimmigrant visa (B, F, M, J, or H visa etc.)
To request an appointment, please send an email with the information below:
- Name (as printed on passport):
- U.S. Visa Type that you wish to apply for:
- Passport type (Diplomatic/Official/Regular):
- Preferred appointment dates:
- Local contact number:
- If applicable, scanned copy of I-20 or DS-2019 should be attached.
Email: SeoulConsDipOffVisas@state.gov
Note: Please do not pay the visa application fee as diplomatic passport holders applying for a nonimmigrant visa on their diplomatic passport are exempt from the visa application fee.
A3 or G5 (Personal Employee of A or G)
Application procedures for A3 visas applicants
(Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of A1 or A2)
In order for domestic servants to receive an A-3 visa, the employer must be in A visa status and the foreign mission must have submitted the necessary “Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker” form to the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Chief Protocol. The foreign mission or international organization must submit a pre-notification form to Protocol via e-Gov or to USUN by email (UNDomesticWorkers@state.gov). You should direct all pre-notification questions to Protocol (DomesticWorkers@state.gov) or USUN (UNDomesticWorkers@state.gov), respectively.
Domestic servants applying for an A3 visa must schedule an interview and apply with the following required documents. Please send an email to SeoulConsDipOffVisas@state.gov to schedule the appointment.
Required documents: (Note: A3 visa applicants are not required to pay a visa application fee.)
- A valid passport.
- A printed confirmation page of the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, DS-160
- A photo taken within the past six months, 50mm x 50mm, with white background.
- Your old passport containing your previously issued U.S. visa, if applying for a renewal.
- Diplomatic note (a.k.a. Visa Note)
- An Employment Contract signed by both employer and employee. The Employment Contract must include each of the following items:
- An agreement by the employer to abide by all Federal, State, and local laws in the United States;
- A guarantee the employee will be compensated at the State or Federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater. Please see the Department of Labor website (http://www.dol.gov/) for minimum or prevailing wage information.
- Information on the frequency and form of payment, work duties, weekly work hours, holidays, sick days, and vacation days;
- A statement by the employee that he or she will not accept any other employment while working for the employer;
- A statement by the employer that he or she will not withhold the passport, employment contract, or other personal property of the employee; and
- A statement indicating that both parties understand that the employee cannot be required to remain on the premises after working hours without compensation.
The contract must be in English and also in a language understood by the employee to ensure the employee understands his or her duties and rights regarding salary and working conditions. Template of Employment Contract for an A-3 visa applicant can be found here.
Application procedures for G-5 visa applicants
(Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of G1 through G4)
In order for domestic servants to receive a G-5 visa, the employer must be in G visa status and the foreign mission must have submitted the necessary “Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker” form to the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Chief Protocol. The foreign mission or international organization must submit a pre-notification form to Protocol via e-Gov or to USUN by email (UNDomesticWorkers@state.gov). You should direct all pre-notification questions to Protocol (DomesticWorkers@state.gov) or USUN (UNDomesticWorkers@state.gov), respectively.
Domestic servants applying for a G-5 visa must schedule an interview and apply with the following required documents. Please send an email to SeoulConsDipOffVisas@state.gov to schedule the appointment.
Required documents: (Note: G-5 visa applicants are not required to pay a visa application fee)
- A valid passport.
- A printed confirmation page of the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, DS-160
- A photo taken within the past six months, 50mm x 50mm, with white background.
- Your old passport containing your previously issued U.S. visa, if applying for a renewal.
- A diplomatic note is needed for members of a permanent mission or officials traveling temporarily to attend meetings on behalf of a recognized government to an international organization.
- A letter of employment or contract from the hiring organization is needed for personnel proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization (Note: An employment letter from the UN should be signed by the Chief of Transportation Section).
- An Employment Contract signed by both employer and employee. The Employment Contract must include each of the following items:
- An agreement by the employer to abide by all Federal, State, and local laws in the United States;
- A guarantee the employee will be compensated at the State or Federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater. Please see the Department of Labor website (http://www.dol.gov/) for minimum or prevailing wage information.
- Information on the frequency and form of payment, work duties, weekly work hours, holidays, sick days, and vacation days;
- A statement by the employee that he or she will not accept any other employment while working for the employer;
- A statement by the employer that he or she will not withhold the passport, employment contract, or other personal property of the employee; and
- A statement indicating that both parties understand that the employee cannot be required to remain on the premises after working hours without compensation.
The contract must be in English and also in a language understood by the employee to ensure the employee understands his or her duties and rights regarding salary and working conditions. Template of Employment Contract for an A-3 visa applicant can be found here.
J-1 Applicants with a program serial number beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 are exempt from paying visa application fees and required to schedule an appointment for an interview.
J-1 (Government Funded Exchange Program)
Applicants for J visas, participating in a Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or federally funded educational and cultural exchange program which has a program serial number beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 printed on Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, are exempt from paying the non-refundable visa application fee.
To request an appointment, please send an email(SeoulCons-J-GovExVisas@state.gov) with the information below:
- Name (as printed on passport):
- U.S. Visa Type that you wish to apply for:
- Passport type (Diplomatic/Official/Tourist):
- Preferred appointment dates:
- Local contact number:
- SEVIS number:
- Program number starting with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 (program number can be found on a DS-2019):
- Scanned copy of DS-2019 should be attached.
Note: If your program serial number does not begin with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7, you need to pay the visa application fee and follow the J visa application procedures.
U.S. Government Employees on Official Business
U.S. Government employees traveling on official business who do not pay the visa application fee will be entitled to a single-entry 3-month validity visa.