United States•North America3-30 days
Free
Duration of Status — tied to official NATO assignment; no fixed calendar limit
Yes
Required
Allowed
Available
Not Required
Member of a civilian component accompanying NATO forces, or attendant/servant of NATO-1 through NATO-5.
The NATO-6 is a US nonimmigrant visa for civilian staff accompanying NATO forces or an international military headquarters under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. It covers non-military government personnel — administrative, logistics, and technical roles — plus personal attendants of NATO-1 through NATO-5.
Status runs for the duration of the assignment with no fixed calendar limit, and is renewable while the posting continues. Fees are waived. Outside employment is not permitted; dependents may obtain separate work authorization via Form I-566. A PR pathway is available via EB-4.
This visa is ideal for government civilians from NATO member states officially assigned to a NATO force or headquarters in the US.
| Initial application abroad (consulate) | 3 days – 1 month |
| In-US renewal (Diplomatic Liaison Division) | 1 week – 2 weeks |
| Change of status to NATO-6 | 1 month – 2 months |
| Status type | Tied to program duration |
Must be a civilian component member of a NATO member country's armed forces (non-military personnel: administrative, logistics, technical staff on government payroll)
Must be traveling pursuant to official NATO orders or assignment
Assignment must be under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) or Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond period of stay
Diplomatic note and/or travel orders confirming position, duties, and assignment duration
Job Offer
Required
Education
none or higher
Valid passport (6+ months validity beyond period of stay)
Completed Form DS-160 confirmation page (for applicants applying outside the US)
Photo meeting State Department Photograph Requirements (uploaded with DS-160)
Diplomatic note and/or travel orders from NATO or member state authority confirming: name, date of birth, position and title, duty location, purpose of travel, description of duties, travel date, anticipated length of stay, and names/relationships/dates of birth of accompanying dependents
For immediate family members applying separately: copy of principal holder's visa and I-94 (front and back) or CBP admission stamp
| 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 |
| Application Steps | Obtain diplomatic note and/or travel orders from NATO authority or member state confirming position,… | travel.state.gov |
| Dependent Visa | us-nato-6 | travel.state.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | Visa application fee (MRV): 0 USD | travel.state.gov |
| Fees | Exempt from all visa application fees | travel.state.gov |
| Forms | DS-160; DS-1648; I-566 | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · DS-160 · description | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · DS-1648 · description | Online Application for A, G, and NATO Visas | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · DS-1648 · url | https://ceac.state.gov/agnato/ | travel.state.gov |
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