Nonimmigrant Visas
A Visas: Diplomats and Government Officials
"A" visas are appropriate for the following categories of people:
- Heads of state and individuals accredited to serve as full-time employees at a permanent diplomatic post;
- Individuals traveling on governmental orders to perform official duties (e.g., attend international meetings or conferences); and
- Personnel at any rank of foreign armed services coming to the U.S. for training or education at any of the U.S. military schools.
Checklist of Submission Requirements for Iraqi "A" Visa Applicants
- Completed Visa Application Forms:
- DS-156, DS-157, the Mandatory Iraq-Specific Supplemental Visa Form. Per Department of State Regulations, the DS-156 must be submitted via the Electronic Visa Application Form. Learn how here. NIV Program sponsor contact sheet.
- A photograph:
- Taken within the past six months;
- 2 inches x 2 inches;
- White background;
- Applicant facing the camera directly.
- Taken within the past six months;
- Visa applicant's original passport, valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the United States. Iraqi S, M, and N series passports are no longer valid for travel to the United States. Find more information here.
- Applicant's Civil Identity card.
- Diplomatic note from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry is required for individuals traveling on official Iraqi government business. English translation of the Diplomatic note.
- If the applicant has previously traveled to the U.S., the applicant must present an original or copy of the previous visa.
- If the U.S. Government is sponsoring your trip, need an invitation letter stating the purpose of the trip and an itinerary of the visit to the U.S including contact names, addresses, and telephone numbers in each city.
- If the trip is sponsored by the Iraqi Government, an itinerary of the trip needs to be provided with the nature of the business in the U.S. and the organization will be responsible for all of the expenses in the U.S.
We request that applications be submitted at least 30 days prior to the estimated date of departure in order to complete all administrative processing.
Applicants for A visas not required to personally appear in order to apply for the visa, unless their presence is requested by the Department.