G-5 — Attendant / Servant of G-1 through G-4

United States•North America

Open

G-5 — Attendant / Servant of G-1 through G-4

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

21-70 days

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Tied to employing principal's G-1 through G-4 visa validity

Renewable

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of G-1 through G-4 visa holders.

The G-5 visa allows personal employees, attendants, and domestic workers to accompany a G-1 through G-4 visa holder during a US posting. Applicants are exempt from the MRV fee and stay on duration of status tied to the employing principal's G visa validity.

Applications are filed at a US consulate with a mandatory interview. A State Department-compliant contract must guarantee prevailing wage, defined hours, one day off per week, overtime, and return transport. After 90 days, wages must be paid by check or bank transfer; no deductions for lodging, meals, or medical.

This visa is ideal for cooks, nannies, chauffeurs, or personal assistants with an existing relationship to a named G-1 through G-4 holder who will work in a domestic or personal capacity.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Employer must hold a valid G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa

Applicant must be a non-US citizen and non-permanent resident

Applicant must be at least 18 years old

No familial relationship (blood, adoption, or marriage) to the sponsoring employer

Must intend to work exclusively for the named employer in a domestic/personal capacity

Must not hold existing lawful US immigration status (application made from abroad)

Signed employment contract meeting State Department specifications is mandatory

Employer must submit pre-notification to State Department's Office of Protocol before application

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport with at least 6 months' validity beyond intended stay

DS-160 confirmation page

Passport-sized photograph (taken within last 6 months)

Signed employment contract in English (and native language if applicable) per State Dept standards

Evidence of employer's G-1 through G-4 visa and I-94 arrival/departure record

Note verbale or official letter from international organization confirming employer's assignment and status

Pre-notification form submitted by employer to Office of Protocol

Proof of employer's financial capacity to pay domestic worker's salary

Evidence of employee's prior domestic work experience

Evidence of ties to home country

Police clearance certificate / criminal background check

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No MRV application fee
No annual numerical cap or lottery
Allows domestic workers to legally accompany G-1 through G-4 employer in the US
Work authorization included for domestic service role
Minimum wage and labor protections (federal/state) apply
Must be paid by check or electronic transfer (anti-exploitation safeguard)

Worth Knowing

Work authorization strictly limited to named employer in domestic/personal service only
Visa validity tied entirely to employer's G visa — ends if employer's status ends or employment is terminated
Cannot be renewed inside the US — must apply for new visa at a US consulate abroad
Mandatory in-person consular interview; interview waiver not available for this category
No immigrant intent permitted; must demonstrate strong ties to home country
Changing employers requires departure from the US and re-application
After 90 days in the US, salary must be paid via check or electronic transfer (cash prohibited)
Registration program run by State Dept/US Mission to UN required once in the US (anti-trafficking)
Only 236 visas issued in FY2024 — narrow, niche category

Application Process

Employer submits pre-notification of domestic worker to State Dept Office of Protocol (DomesticWorkers@state.gov)

Employer assembles documentation package and provides to prospective employee abroad

Employee completes DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application

Employee schedules and attends mandatory in-person consular interview at nearest US Embassy or Consulate

Biometrics (fingerprints) collected at the embassy

Consular officer reviews contract understanding and determines visa issuance

If approved, employee receives G-5 visa and travels to the US

Employer notifies HR/State Dept liaison within 5 business days of employee's US arrival

Application Forms

DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker — submitted to OFM-Policy@state.gov (program transferred from Office of Protocol to Office of Foreign Missions, January 2026)	—
State Dept-compliant Employment Contract A-3 and G-5 Employment Contract Template	Fill online

Verified Claims (24)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	Employer submits pre-notification of domestic worker to State Dept Office of Protocol (DomesticWorke…	travel.state.gov
Fee Breakdown	MRV application fee: 0 USD	travel.state.gov
Fees	No MRV application fee (G visa fee-exempt)	travel.state.gov
Forms	DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application); Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker (submitted by e…	travel.state.gov
Forms · DS-160 · description	Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	travel.state.gov
Forms · Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker · description	Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker — submitted to OFM-Policy@state.gov (program transferred from …	state.gov
Forms · State Dept-compliant Employment Contract · description	A-3 and G-5 Employment Contract Template	travel.state.gov
Forms · State Dept-compliant Employment Contract · url	https://www.state.gov/a-3-and-g-5-employment-contract-template	state.gov

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Overview

Personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of G-1 through G-4 visa holders.

This visa is ideal for cooks, nannies, chauffeurs, or personal assistants with an existing relationship to a named G-1 through G-4 holder who will work in a domestic or personal capacity.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Employer must hold a valid G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa

Applicant must be a non-US citizen and non-permanent resident

Applicant must be at least 18 years old

No familial relationship (blood, adoption, or marriage) to the sponsoring employer

Must intend to work exclusively for the named employer in a domestic/personal capacity

Must not hold existing lawful US immigration status (application made from abroad)

Signed employment contract meeting State Department specifications is mandatory

Employer must submit pre-notification to State Department's Office of Protocol before application

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport with at least 6 months' validity beyond intended stay

DS-160 confirmation page

Passport-sized photograph (taken within last 6 months)

Signed employment contract in English (and native language if applicable) per State Dept standards

Evidence of employer's G-1 through G-4 visa and I-94 arrival/departure record

Note verbale or official letter from international organization confirming employer's assignment and status

Pre-notification form submitted by employer to Office of Protocol

Proof of employer's financial capacity to pay domestic worker's salary

Evidence of employee's prior domestic work experience

Evidence of ties to home country

Police clearance certificate / criminal background check

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No MRV application fee
No annual numerical cap or lottery
Allows domestic workers to legally accompany G-1 through G-4 employer in the US
Work authorization included for domestic service role
Minimum wage and labor protections (federal/state) apply
Must be paid by check or electronic transfer (anti-exploitation safeguard)

Worth Knowing

Work authorization strictly limited to named employer in domestic/personal service only
Visa validity tied entirely to employer's G visa — ends if employer's status ends or employment is terminated
Cannot be renewed inside the US — must apply for new visa at a US consulate abroad
Mandatory in-person consular interview; interview waiver not available for this category
No immigrant intent permitted; must demonstrate strong ties to home country
Changing employers requires departure from the US and re-application
After 90 days in the US, salary must be paid via check or electronic transfer (cash prohibited)
Registration program run by State Dept/US Mission to UN required once in the US (anti-trafficking)
Only 236 visas issued in FY2024 — narrow, niche category

Application Process

Employer submits pre-notification of domestic worker to State Dept Office of Protocol (DomesticWorkers@state.gov)

Employer assembles documentation package and provides to prospective employee abroad

Employee completes DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application

Employee schedules and attends mandatory in-person consular interview at nearest US Embassy or Consulate

Biometrics (fingerprints) collected at the embassy

Consular officer reviews contract understanding and determines visa issuance

If approved, employee receives G-5 visa and travels to the US

Employer notifies HR/State Dept liaison within 5 business days of employee's US arrival

Application Forms

DS-160

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Fill online

Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker

Pre-Notification of a Domestic Worker — submitted to OFM-Policy@state.gov (program transferred from Office of Protocol to Office of Foreign Missions, January 2026)

—

State Dept-compliant Employment Contract

A-3 and G-5 Employment Contract Template

Fill online