United States•North America

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NATO-3 — NATO Official Clerical Staff

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3-30 days

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Duration of Status (D/S) — valid for duration of NATO assignment

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

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

Official clerical staff of a NATO representative.

The NATO-3 visa is for official clerical staff accompanying a NATO-1 or NATO-2 representative to the US. The MRV fee is waived; a diplomatic note from the sending government is required.

Admission is Duration of Status. No PR pathway; renewals go through a US consulate. Dependents may seek work authorization via I-566.

This visa is ideal for clerical or administrative staff accompanying an accredited NATO representative on an active assignment.

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Tied to program duration

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be official clerical staff accompanying an accredited NATO-1 or NATO-2 representative

Must be traveling under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement or Protocol on International Military Headquarters

Diplomatic note from sending government confirming assignment

NATO assignment must be active and ongoing

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page (first-time applicants)

U.S. visa photo meeting State Department specifications

Diplomatic Note from sending government confirming assignment and clerical role

Travel orders or assignment letter from host NATO command (military members)

For dependents: copy of principal holder's visa and Form I-94

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Exempt from MRV visa application fee
No annual cap or lottery — admission based purely on qualifying NATO assignment
Duration of Status admission — no fixed expiration tied to a date
Dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21) may be included
Dependents may obtain employment authorization via Form I-566

Worth Knowing

Visa is strictly tied to the NATO assignment — status ends automatically when assignment ends
Cannot be renewed inside the United States (must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad)
No direct pathway to U.S. permanent residence
Work is limited to official clerical duties within the assigned NATO role
Extremely narrow eligibility — only clerical staff accompanying NATO-1/NATO-2 principals
Very low issuance volume (typically 0–3 per fiscal year)

Application Process

Confirm eligibility as clerical staff accompanying an accredited NATO representative

Obtain a Diplomatic Note from the sending government confirming your role and assignment

Complete DS-160 (first-time applicants) online at ceac.state.gov

Gather all required documents

Schedule and attend appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad

Attend consular interview (may be waived in limited circumstances for renewals)

Application Forms

DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
DS-1648 Online Application for A, G, and NATO Visas	Fill online
I-566 Interagency Record of Request - A, G or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status	Fill online

Verified Claims (35)

Last verified May 30, 2026

Application Steps	Confirm eligibility as clerical staff accompanying an accredited NATO representative; Obtain a Diplo…	travel.state.gov
Blockers	—	travel.state.gov
Can Convert To	—	travel.state.gov
Categories	diplomatic	travel.state.gov
Code	us-nato-3	travel.state.gov
Criminal Policy	No explicit published policy for NATO visa categories; standard INA grounds of inadmissibility techn…	travel.state.gov
Dependent Visa	us-nato-3	travel.state.gov
Dual Intent	false	travel.state.gov

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