The Diplomatic Liaison Division, located at the Department of State in the Visa Office, renews visas for foreign military personnel stationed in the United States. You may also apply for a new visa outside the United States at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

See Renewing A, G, and NATO Visas in the U.S. for general information about visa renewals.

Visas that Cannot Be Renewed in the United States

The Diplomatic Liaison Division cannot renew visas for foreign military members who are:

• Not assigned to a foreign embassy or consulate in the United States; or

• Nationals of Iran, Sudan, or Syria, the three countries currently designated as state sponsors of terrorism.  (See Special Processing Procedures for applicants from these countries.)

These applicants must apply for new visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Personal employees with A-3 and NATO-7 visas cannot be renewed in the United States. They must apply for new visas outside the United States at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

How to Apply

Prepare Your Application – Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents:

• 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).  Attach the passport containing your most recent A-2 or NATO visa if you have since received a new passport.
  
  
• Original Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection from the applicant's most recent admission to the U.S. If you entered the U.S. after the automation of Form I-94, and your Arrival/Departure Record was created electronically, you may obtain a paper Form I-94 at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.  
  
  
• Online Application for A, G, or NATO Visa, Form DS-1648 - You must:  

1. Complete the online visa application, 
2. Print the application form confirmation page, and 
3. Have the Embassy, mission, or organization seal affixed to the confirmation page. 
   
   You must submit the confirmation page as part of your application.  Learn more about completing the DS-1648.

• Photo – Your photo must have been taken within the past six months, and must be the format explained in the Photograph Requirements. You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-1648.

Note: If the photo upload function fails, you must submit one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.  

• If you do not have a Personal Identification Number (PID) assigned by the Department of State's Office of Foreign Missions, you must submit foreign military orders and a letter from the U.S. military command (if you are stationed at a U.S. military base), or NATO orders, describing your assignment in the United States. NATO orders and foreign military orders must be in English or have an English translation attached. The orders must contain your name and your dependents’ names, and state when your tour of duty will be completed.   If a letter from the U.S. military command is enclosed, it must be on the letterhead of the military command, signed by a command official empowered to sign such letters, and contain your name, your dependents’ names, and the date when your tour of duty will be completed. 
  
  
• Dependents applying separately from the principal applicant must submit copies of the principal applicant's visa and front and back of the principal applicant's I-94 in addition to the requirements listed above.
  
  
• Prepaid Return Envelope – If you would like your passport with visa mailed back to you, you must provide a self-addressed, stamped or courier airbill return envelope.  If you passport with visa will be picked up in person at our Diplomatic Reception Area, do not submit a prepaid return envelope.

The Diplomatic Liaison Division does not endorse the use of any particular commercial courier service, but it may be useful for the return envelope to have a tracking number so you can better determine its location after it leaves our office.  If using the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Service recommends a padded envelope for passport return. (Please note that packages sent via the Postal Service are often subjected to irradiation, which can damage passports, I-94s, and other enclosures.) A family should submit one courier airbill/envelope or one self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of their documents. Please use the military command's address or your personal address in the United States as the "from" address on the airbill or the self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that the airbill contains the military command's courier company account number or your valid credit card number.

Fees

• There are no fees for A-2 and NATO visa renewals.

• Submit Your Application - In Person or By Mail

• Applications Submitted in Person

• Applications may be submitted at the Diplomatic Liaison Division's Diplomatic Reception Area on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, excluding holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). 

Mailed Applications

• You may mail your application package containing all required documents, including a self-addressed, stamped return envelope or a properly completed commercial courier airbill and envelope. Mail your application package to the Diplomatic Liaison Division at the following address:

  Diplomatic Liaison Division, Department of State
  CA/VO/DO/DL
  SA-17, Floor 11
  Washington, DC 20522-1711

Processing Times

Please allow a minimum of 5-7 business days, not counting date of submission or the date of receipt, for your visa renewal to be processed at the Diplomatic Liaison Division. In some cases, processing may take longer.

Case Status Check - Applicants can easily check the status of their cases online with the Department of State’s CEAC Status Check. To check the status of your case:

1. Use your CEAC case number (example: YEARXXX XXX XXXX) or your CEAC Application ID (example: AA0020AKAX) and the location where you applied.
2. Click on "Check My Visa Application Status." If you received a 221g letter stating that your case requires further "Administrative Processing," this system will let you know if your case has been approved, requires more information, or is still being processed.
3. Check your status here.

After Your Visa is Issued

• For applications submitted in person at the Diplomatic Reception Desk, passports with visas may be picked up Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). To check on the status of a visa, please call (202) 485-7681 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

• For applications submitted with a prepaid return envelope, your passport and visa will be mailed to you.

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