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 Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 weeks – 2 months

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

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

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote 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.

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Requirements

PUBLISHED 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

Applicants under 18 require an Advisory Opinion from the Department of State

Any familial relationship to the employer must be disclosed in the contract and is subject to consular scrutiny

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 Foreign Missions (OFM) before application

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 Foreign Missions (OFM)

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

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 (Form DS-4299) to State Dept Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) via the eGov system

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 (43)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Application Steps

Employer submits pre-notification of domestic worker (Form DS-4299) to State Dept Office of Foreign …

state.gov

Application Steps · 0

Employer submits pre-notification of domestic worker via the eGov system / TOMIS to the Office of Fo…