Nonimmigrant Visas: Official and Diplomatic Travel

Updated May 19, 2023

Important Information:

US Embassy Libreville does not work with or endorse third party preparers and discourages the use of travel agencies.

The appearance of organizations and third-party visa preparers or consultants falsely advertising visa services is not uncommon.
These schemes often take advantage of willing and unsuspecting victims.
US Embassy Libreville takes visa security seriously and works with local authorities every day to uphold the integrity of the visa system. We achieve this by taking actions including detecting, targeting, and shutting down fraudulent offices, vendors, and fixers who claim to have influence over the visa process or the ability to obtain U.S. visas by criminal means, and ensuring bad actors face justice.
If you have been charged for a visa interview appointment, or have questions, please feel free to contact us using our Visa Navigator.

U.S. Embassy Libreville provides visa services for official and diplomatic travel.

The Consular Section requires that all documents for official and diplomatic visas be submitted at least seven to ten (7-10) business days prior to the projected date of travel.

The U.S. Embassy in Libreville generally does not require an interview for those applying for A and G visas, however, a consular officer can request an interview.

Visa application forms and additional documents should be delivered to the Embassy by your Ministry’s designated representative.

Please contact us using our Visa Navigator for questions about your visa.

**Each applicant and any accompanying persons must submit the forms and documentation as described below. We can ONLY accept completed visa packages.

(For example, if a passport is not available for a delegate, please wait to submit a diplomatic note when the package is fully complete.)

Travel Purposes Not Permitted on A or G Visas:

• Officials coming to perform non-governmental functions of a commercial nature, or traveling as tourists, do not qualify for G or NATO visas. You must apply for the appropriate visa category for your specific travel purpose.

• Local government officials representing their state, province, borough, or other local political entity require visitor (B) visas.

• Please note that the U.S. issues visas based on purpose of travel and not based on governmental employment or government status. You can read more about other visa categories, such as a visitor/tourist visa here.

A VISAS– Diplomats and other foreign government officials traveling to the United States to engage solely in official duties or activities on behalf of their national government:

Submit Required Documentation as a complete package:

All applicants for A visas should gather and deliver the following required documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country:
Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.

Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page (For applicants applying outside the United States)

Photo– You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

• Diplomatic note– This note is written confirmation from your country’s government of your status and official purpose of travel. A-3 applicants also require diplomatic notes to confirm the official status of their employers. Beginning July 1, 2014, the sending government must provide the following information in the diplomatic note submitted with any A-1 or A-2 visa application outside the United States, and for any request for a change into such visa status in the United States:

• The government official’s or employee’s name and date of birth

• Position and title

• Place of assignment or visit.

• Purpose of travel

• A brief description of his or her duties

• Travel date

• Anticipated length of the tour of duty or stay in the United States, and

• The names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the government official or employee on an assignment to the Gabonese Embassy.

For an immediate family member applying separate from the principal visa applicant– A copy of both the visa and the I-94 (both front and back) for the principal visa holder is required.

• Please find more information on State.Gov: Visas for Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials (state.gov)

G VISAS– Diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for/with international organizations in the United States need G visas:

• G-1– Permanent mission members of a recognized government to a designated international organization and their immediate family members

• G-2– Representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily to the United States to attend meetings of a designated international organization and their immediate family members

• G-3– Representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments and their immediate family members

• G-4– Individuals coming to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations, and their immediate family members

An interview for G-1 through G-4 visas is usually not required, however, a consular officer can request one.

Submit Required Documentation as a complete package:

• All applicants for G and NATO visas should gather and deliver the following required documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country:

Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements.

Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page (For applicants applying outside the United States)

Photo– You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must have been taken within the past six months, and must be the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

A diplomatic note and travel orders– This document provides written confirmation from the international organization of your status and your official purpose for coming to the United States. The diplomatic note and travel orders submitted with any G visa application outside the United States, and for any request for a change into such visa status in the United States, must include the following information:

• The officer’s or employee’s name, date of birth, position and title, the international organization or office where the individual will be serving, the purpose of travel, a brief description of his or her duties, travel date, and the anticipated length of stay in the United States, and

• The names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the officer or employee for an assignment to the international organization.

For an immediate family member applying separate from the principal visa applicant– A copy of both the visa and I-94 (both front and back) for the principal visa holder is required. If the principal visa applicant entered the U.S. after the automation of Form I-94, and his/her Arrival/Departure Record was created electronically, a photocopy of his/her admission stamp can be provided to the family member applying separately. Alternatively, the principal applicant may obtain a paper Form I-94 at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94-instructions and provide it to the family member applying separately.

• Please find more information on State.Gov: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/visa-employees-nato.html

The Consular Section requires that all documents for official visas be submitted at least seven to ten (7-10) business days prior to the projected date of travel.

Individuals who establish entitlement to an official visa classification (A, G, NATO) are exempt from paying visa fees.