Processing Times
Hours of Operation
A Visas
G Visas
C-3 Visas
Visas for Immediate Family Members of Diplomats
How to Apply
Documentary Requirement for Principal Applicants
Note on submission and pick-up
Diplomatic/Official passports and B1/B2 tourism visa

If you are traveling to the United States on official business for the Government of India, the Government of Bhutan, or for an international organization or mission, you may apply for a diplomatic or official nonimmigrant visa (A, G, C-2 or C-3 visa).  These nonimmigrant visas are for diplomatic & official uses only.

Processing Time

Normally A, G, C-2 & C-3 visa processing times take a minimum of five (5) working days from the time the U.S. Embassy receives a completed visa application and all required documents.  Please understand that we cannot accommodate last minute requests, especially as we issue with visa validity within or to the extent of established reciprocity.Return to top

Hours of Operation

Diplomatic and official visa applications for official travel are accepted at the U.S. Embassy New Delhi Consular Entrance at Window 25, Monday through Friday between 08:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon., except U.S. and Indian Holidays.  Please refer to the following links for Mission holidays and Consular section closures.  https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/  and https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/ .

Most qualified applicants for these types of nonimmigrant visas are not required to appear for an interview with a consular officer and are exempt from visa application fees.

Mandatory documents required for the Diplomatic or Official Visa categories:

• Passport (Current and Old), Diplomatic/Official/Regular. If all other qualifications are met, a diplomatic visa may be placed in a regular or official passport.
• Ds-160 confirmation page from the online nonimmigrant visa application.
• Photographs as per U.S. visa specifications.
• Diplomatic Note or Note Verbal from the International Organization. This official note is written confirmation from your country’s government or International Organization of your status and official purpose of travel.  See below for more information on documentation.

Contact: For questions or information about diplomatic or official visas, you may directly send your email inquiry to Newdelhidipvisas@state.gov Return to top

A Visas

Except for a head of state or government, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon his or her reason for entering the United States.

To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, the individual concerned must be traveling to the United States on behalf of his or her national government to engage solely in official activities for that government. Government officials traveling on behalf of a state, province, borough, or other local political entity do not qualify for “A” nonimmigrant visa status; they require B1/B2 nonimmigrant visas for general business (Note:  B1/B2 nonimmigrant visas are not diplomatic or official in nature).

Note: Government officials traveling to the United States to perform functions that are not inherently governmental in nature, including commercial, educational, or personal travel, require an B1/B2, or other nonimmigrant visa.  In general, B1/B2 visa applicants are required to personally appear for their biometrics and interview; however they may be able to apply to renew their nonimmigrant visa without interview if they meet the eligibility requirements.  There is a visa application fee for B1/B2, H, L and other visa categories, and these applicants are required to schedule a visa interview appointment.

Government officials traveling to the United States for purposes that are not inherently governmental in nature—such as commercial, educational, or personal travel—must obtain a B1/B2, H, L, or other appropriate nonimmigrant visa.

Please note that A-1 and A-2 visa applicants and officials who qualify for diplomatic type visas are exempt from visa fees.  Also, diplomatic and official passport holders are not required to schedule an appointment. Instead, they can submit their application package at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, Consular Entrance, Window 25, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, excluding U.S. and Indian holidays.Return to top

G Visas

To qualify for a G visa, the applicant must be entering the United States for official duties. Members of a permanent mission of a recognized government to an international organization are eligible for G-1 visas; representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization are eligible for G-2 visas; representatives of non-recognized or nonmember governments are eligible for G-3 visas; and G-4 visas are issued to individual personnel who are proceeding to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations. This visa classification is also exempt from the visa application fee.  Personal interviews are usually not required for qualified applicants of this visa category, but the Embassy or Consulate may interview by exception. Application submission procedures are the same as A nonimmigrant visas detailed above.Return to top

C-3 Visas

C-3 is a classification for foreign government and international organization officials and members of their families and their attendants, servants, or personal employees seeking TO TRANSIT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES to another country for official purposes.  This visa category is also exempt from the visa application fee.  Personal interviews are usually not required for qualified applicants of this visa category, but the Embassy or Consulate may interview by exception.  Application submission procedures are the same as A nonimmigrant visas detailed above.

Visas for Immediate Family Members of Diplomats

Immediate family members of the A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visa holders are entitled to derivative status in the same classification as the principal applicant if they seek to accompany or “follow to join” the primary visa holder. Immediate family member is defined as the spouse and unmarried son or daughter under 21 years of age. An immediate family member may also be a person who will reside regularly in the principal applicant’s household, is not a member of some other household, and is recognized as your immediate family member by the sending government or international organization, as demonstrated by eligibility for rights and benefits, such as the issuance of a diplomatic or official passport or travel and other allowances. See https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/visas-diplomats.html  for additional information about members of household.

A family member who does not qualify for derivative status as described above may qualify for a visitor (B-2) visa .  Visitor visa applicants are required to come for visa interview and will need to pay visa application and issuance fees, if applicable.  Please note that a family member with a B1/B2 (or B2) nonimmigrant visa may be subject to different limitations from a diplomatic visa holder, such as authorized length of stay.Return to top

How to Apply

1. Complete the electronic nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-160) and print the confirmation page – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html.
2. Obtain a valid passport (Regular, Official or Diplomatic)
3. Print a recent (taken within the last 6 months) photo according to the standards at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-2#photos-and-fingerprints
4. Submit the above documentation to the U.S. Embassy at Window 25. Diplomatic and official visa applications are accepted Monday through Friday between 08:30 a.m. and 12:00noon., excluding U.S. and Indian holidays, as well as consular section closures.  Please refer to the links below to for Mission holidays and Consular section closures. https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/ and https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/
5. Diplomatic Note or Note Verbale that meets the documentary requirements.
6. Applicants will be contacted via email when their passports are ready to pick up. Unless otherwise notified, pickup is at the U.S. Embassy New Delhi Consular Entrance at Window 25 between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. on regular working days.Return to top

Documentary Requirement for Principal Applicants

A formal request from the appropriate foreign office, mission, or international organization provides written confirmation of the applicant’s status and official purpose of travel to the United States.

For A or C-3 visa holders, the request is typically issued by the sending country’s ministry of foreign affairs as a diplomatic note, although other offices may also issue a note. For G visa holders, the note is typically issued by the sending government or supporting international organization.

This diplomatic note/note verbale is usually submitted on recognized official stationery, and must contain:  Name and date of birth, Position and title, Place of assignment or visit, Purpose of travel (must provide appropriate and sufficient detail, note that “Official meetings” usually does not suffice); Brief description of duties; Travel date (s); Anticipated length of assignment or tour of temporary 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, if applicable.

Note: For any formal assignment (not training or temporary posting) of greater than 90 days, the diplomatic notes MUST originate from the sending country’s Ministry of External Affairs and not an embassy.

Additional Documentary Requirements for Immediate Family Members

• Proof of the principal applicant’s status – Diplomatic Note or its equivalent from the principal’s current employer.
• Copy of principal applicant’s nonimmigrant A or G visa
• In the absence of a diplomatic or official passport, applicants must provide an original marriage or birth certificate issued by a competent authority as proof of relationship.Return to top

Note on submission and pick-up

A representative from the sending agency may submit documents and pick-up passports on behalf of a visa applicant or applicants.  The agency representative must present valid identification issued by the agency and the original acknowledgment slip with the blue token given at the time of submission.  A personal representative may also submit documents and pick up passports but must have a written authorization letter signed by the applicant with a copy of his or her valid ID with signature and the original acknowledgment slip with the blue token given at the time of submission.Return to top

Diplomatic/Official passports and B1/B2 tourism visa

Special Note for Indian Government Officials applying for personal B1/B2 or other nonimmigrant visas using Diplomatic or Official passports:

Officials and diplomats, and their immediate family members traveling to the United States for personal reasons can also apply for tourist and other types of visas (B1/B2, F, J, etc.) through our single-window service (also known as the diplomatic line) at Embassy New Delhi’s consular lobby with all supporting documents between 8 A.M. and 12 P.M. on any business day.

1. Applicants using this service must possess a valid diplomatic, official, or regular passport and a valid diplomatic note or note verbale from the Ministry of External Affairs that specifically notes the diplomatic or official passport may be used for personal travel.
2. The application package must include (valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt, one photograph, and a diplomatic note.)
3. Applicants must possess a valid diplomatic or official passport to avail of this service. However, accompanying immediate family members (spouse and minor, unmarried children only) who do not possess a valid diplomatic or official passport may present a valid regular passport.
4. Please note that different visa categories may require payment of a visa fee, an in-person visa interview, and biometrics collection. Refer to https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/business-visa for information on how to pay the visa fee.
5. Only the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi offers this service; the U.S. Consulates General in India do not provide this facility.Return to top