Are you a representative or staff member from a NATO country?

Do you want to come to the U.S.?

If you answered “Yes” to both of the questions above, then you might be eligible for an N-Visa. Certain representatives and staff from countries that are members of NATO can enter the U.S. using temporary visas. These people are not subject to regular immigration inspections and document requirements because of the NATO treaty; instead, consular officials decide whether they should be admitted or not.

WHAT TYPES OF N-VisaS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are several different types of N-Visas available to foreigners who are natives of countries with NATO membership:

  1. NATO-1 Principal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO and their immediate relatives;
  2. NATO-2 Other Representative of a member state to NATO and their immediate relatives;
  3. NATO-3 Employees of NATO and their immediate relatives;
  4. NATO-4 Other employees of NATO and their immediate relatives;
  5. NATO-5 Engineers of NATO and their responsible families (spouse and unmarried children);
  6. NATO-6 Military workers of NATO and their responsible families (spouse and unmarried children);
  7. NATO-7 Maids of NATO-1 through NATO-6 and their immediate relatives;
  8. N-8 When G-4 employees under 21 get immigrant status, their parents become eligible for this visa; and,
  9. N-9 When G-4 employees get immigrant status, their brothers and sisters or children under 21 become eligible for this visa.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO ENTER THE U.S. UNDER AN N-Visa?

Representatives and staff from other countries trying to enter the U.S. under an N-Visa don’t need to show most documents like the typical person. The consulate officials decide whether they qualify or not. Some documents, such as papers showing representative status, military status, or employment status, are needed to prove that one is eligible for this visa.

CAN I WORK WHILE IN THE U.S. UNDER AN N-Visa?

Under an N-Visa, foreign aliens in the U.S. can work if they obtain authorization from the U.S. State Department.

HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN THE U.S. UNDER AN N-Visa?

Under an N-Visa, foreign aliens in the U.S. can stay as long as the U.S. State Department recognizes their status as an N-Visa holder.

CONCLUSION

Foreign aliens who are representatives or employees and their families, such as spouses and unmarried children of a NATO country, might be eligible to enter the United States under the N-Visa. One must first determine if they come from a country that is a member of the NATO treaty. Foreign aliens admitted into the United States under the N-Visa may work with authorization from the State Department and stay in the United States as long as the State Department recognizes their status as an N-Visa holder.