An A-2 visa is issued to other accredited officials and employees of foreign governments and their immediate families.
What are the Requirements for an A-2 Visa?
VISANOW can prepare the A-2 application if the applicant is presently in the U.S. in valid status or if the applicant is outside the U.S.
Primary A-2 visa holders must be coming to the US on behalf of their national government to engage solely in official activities for that government. The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not in itself the defining factor in determining if the applicant qualifies for an A visa; the particular duties or services that will be performed must be governmental in character or nature.
Dependents of an A-2 visa holder include the following members of the immediate family habitually residing in the same household as the principal alien:
- Spouse
- Unmarried children under the age of 21
- Unmarried sons or daughters under the age of 23 who are full time students at post-secondary educational institutions
- Unmarried sons or daughters under the age of 25 who are full time students at post-secondary educational institutions if a formal bilateral employment agreement permitting their employment in the U.S. was signed prior to November 21, 1998, and such bilateral employment agreement does not specify 23 as the maximum age for employment of such sons and daughters
- Unmarried sons or daughters who are physically or mentally disabled to the extent that they cannot adequately take care of themselves and cannot establish and maintain their own households
Can A-2 Dependents Be Employed?
Dependents of the A-2 visa holder may work under certain circumstances i.e. if there is a formal bilateral employment agreement between or informal reciprocal agreement if they are a national of that country. The employment application must first by made to the Department of State and then, if approved, be made to the USCIS.
How Long is the A-2 Visa Valid?
An A-2 visa holder is admitted to the U.S. for the duration of status i.e. for the duration of his/her official duties.