- Contact info and business hours
- Immigrant Visas
- Non-Immigrant Visas
- Athletes, artists & entertainers
- Au pairs
- Business
- Crew members
- Criminal convictions & arrests
- Cultural exchange visitors
- E-3 specialty work visa
- Employment
- Exchange visitors
- Journalists & members of the media
- Officials & diplomats
- Religious workers
- Students
- Tourists
- Transit
- Treaty trader & treaty investor
- Visa waiver program
- American Citizen Services
- Cautions and notices
- U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs
Official visas and travel on official passports
- All officials traveling on behalf of their federal government require visas to transit or enter the U.S.
- Travel on state government business does not require a visa if the individual traveling otherwise meets the requirements for the Visa Waiver Program. If not, such travelers should apply for B-1/B-2 tourist/business visas, not official visas. The B-1/B-2 visa requires an interview at the nearest U.S. Consulate.
- Applicants for official visas do not normally have to appear in person for an interview at the U.S. Consulate.
- Official visas can be entered into any type of passport - regular, official or diplomatic.
- Officials planning to use their official or diplomatic passport for personal travel should ensure that this is permitted by their employing agency.
Travel on Federal Government Business
All official business travel on behalf of the federal government, whether by federal or state government employees, requires an official visa.
This visa can be placed into any type of passport (regular, official, or diplomatic) and can be issued by the U.S. Consulate responsible for the Australian state where the applicant is resident.
The visa classification will be determined by the Consulate based on a brief description of the activities to be performed in the U.S. and by the applicant's position within his or her government.
How to apply
- Obtain a formal request from a government agency endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
- Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) DS-156 online and print it out. Handwritten forms will not be accepted.
- Attach a color or black and white photo, less than six months old, 5 X 5 cm, against a white background. Further details of photo requirements.
- Enclose a self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope, Registered Post envelope, or courier satchel for the return of your documents.
- Please send your application form, photo, formal request endorsed by DFAT, valid passport, and return envelope to the U.S. Consulate covering your state.
- Applications for official visas generally do not require applicants to appear in person, nor are there any application fees.
Transit for Federal Government Business
All transit to a third country (such as Canada) for official business requires a C-3 transit visa. Transit through the U.S. on another classification of official visa is only appropriate if the traveler will also be undertaking official activities or meetings in the U.S. on the same trip.
Applications for official transit visas require neither personal appearance nor payment of fees. Please follow the same application procedure as for Official Visas above.
State Government Business
Individuals traveling on business for a state government are not eligible for official visas.
Assuming they meet all the normal requirements for the Visa Waiver Program, such applicants may travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Otherwise, they can apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa at the U.S. Consulate responsible for their state. Further details on how to apply can be found on our non-immigrant visa page.
A B-1/B-2 visa can be entered into any type of passport - diplomatic, official or regular.
Third-Country Officials
U.S. Consulates in Australia can issue official visas to citizens of third countries (countries other than Australia or the U.S.) traveling on behalf of their governments on receipt of an endorsed request from their Embassy.
Official visas cannot be issued to third-country nationals at the request of another government. Such travelers must obtain a diplomatic note or other endorsement from their own Embassy.
Applications for official visas for third-country nationals generally require neither personal appearance nor payment of fees.
Unofficial Travel
Foreign officials sometimes inquire as to whether or not it is permissible to travel to the U.S. on an official or diplomatic passport on the visa waiver program for tourist purposes. Under U.S. regulations, visa waiver travel for legitimate tourism on either type of passport is acceptable.
However, it is highly advisable for the individual in question to check with their government agency as to whether this is acceptable under the rules of that government and that particular agency.
Applications for tourist or business (B-1/B-2) visas in official or diplomatic passports do require the applicant to appear at a Consulate for an interview and to have their fingerprints taken.
Most applicants holding a diplomatic passport do not have to pay any fees, even for unofficial travel. Official passport holders pay all normal fees when traveling in an unofficial capacity. For more information about whether a specific diplomatic passport holder will have any fees to pay, applicants may contact the nearest Consulate.
Further Information
The Department of State website has further information on travel for diplomats and foreign government officials. Please see our telephone information page for general advice on visas (charges apply).
Last update Thursday, 15 May 2008
