United States•North America1-7 days
Free
Duration of status (D/S) — no fixed cap; valid for duration of NATO assignment
Yes
Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Principal permanent representative of a NATO member state and official staff.
The NATO-1 is a US diplomatic visa for principal permanent representatives of NATO member states and top alliance officials — including the Secretary General and Executive Secretary. Grounded in the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, it lets these officials serve on US soil free from standard immigration procedures.
Holders are admitted for Duration of Status, tied to their NATO assignment, with no fixed stay cap. Work is authorized incident to status but restricted to NATO employment only — no outside work permitted. MRV fees are fully waived ($0). There is no path to permanent residence; dual intent is not permitted.
This visa is ideal for senior NATO member-state officials or alliance executives assigned to NATO headquarters or subsidiary bodies in the US.
| Initial application (at US Embassy/Consulate) | 1 day – 1 week |
| In-US renewal via DS-1648 | 1 week – 1 week |
| Status type | Tied to program duration |
Must be a principal permanent representative of a NATO member-state government at NATO HQ or subsidiary bodies in the US, or a senior NATO official (Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Executive Secretary)
Must be traveling under applicable provisions of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement or Protocol on International Military Headquarters
Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay
Diplomatic note from the sending government or NATO organization
Cannot be a Head of State (must use A-1 visa instead)
Must be traveling for official NATO duties only
Job Offer
Required
Education
none or higher
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
DS-160 confirmation page (initial application outside US) or DS-1648 confirmation page with embassy/organization seal (renewal)
Diplomatic note from sending government/NATO — must include name, date of birth, position/title, NATO organization/office, purpose, duties description, travel date, anticipated length of stay, and dependents' details
Travel orders (military orders/letter for military members)
Most recent Form I-94 (for in-US renewals)
Copies of principal holder's visa and I-94 (for dependents applying separately)
Birth certificates with English translation if passport lacks birthplace information
US visa photo meeting Department of State requirements
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| DS-1648 Online Application for A, G, and NATO Visas | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Complete online DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) at ceac.state.gov; Prepare diplomatic note fr… | travel.state.gov |
| Blockers | — | travel.state.gov |
| Can Convert To | — | travel.state.gov |
| Categories | diplomatic | travel.state.gov |
| Code | us-nato-1 | travel.state.gov |
| Criminal Policy | Exempt from standard grounds of inadmissibility that apply to ordinary visa applicants. NATO-1 holde… | travel.state.gov |
| Dependent Visa | NATO-1 | travel.state.gov |
| Dual Intent | false | travel.state.gov |
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