Back A-2 Issued to foreign government personnel, officials and their immediate families. What Are The Requirements For An A-2 Visa? Can A-2 Dependents Be Employed? How Long Is The A-2 Visa Valid? What Is The Application Fee: Full ServiceFast Forms What Are The Requirements For An A-2 Visa? If the applicant is presently in the United States, in status, VisaNow.com® can submit the application here in the U.S. If the applicant is residing outside of the United States, the applicant submits Form DS-156 to the U.S. Consular office where he/she resides. The consular officer may require additional documents to verify the purpose for obtaining the visa. The visa may be issued on the same day that the application is made and is in the form of a stamp in the applicant's passport. Dependents of an A-2 visa 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 are eligible If a formal bilateral employment agreement permitting their employment in the United States 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? Spouses and dependent unmarried children of an A-2 visa holder may be employed in the United States. The applicant must first submit Form I-566 to the Department of State, accompanied by: A statement by the diplomatic mission certifying the relationship and that the principal A-1 visa holder's assignment is expected to last for more than six months A statement from the prospective employer describing the position and salary, and certifying that the applicant has the necessary qualifications for the position. The application will be approved by the Department of State and the USCIS District Director in Washington D. C. if the following requirements are met: the principal alien and the applicant are maintaining A-2 status; the proposed employment is not on the Department of Labor's Schedule B; reciprocal benefits are accorded by the diplomat's country to family members of U. S. diplomats in that country; and the proposed employment would not be contrary to the interests of the United States. Permission to accept employment is given for up to three year increments. How Long Is The A-2 Visa Valid? The principals and their families within the A-2 classification are admitted to the United States without a time limitation and without the need to apply for an extension of stay, as long as the Secretary of State continues to recognize them as members of the diplomatic category.

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