Change of Status - Into, Within, or Between A, G, and NATO Status

If you are in the United States in A, G, NATO, or any other visa status and accept employment with one of the following missions or organizations, you must obtain a change of visa status to the following category from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before beginning employment:

All of your immediate family members should apply for a change to the same status at the same time as you.  Under U.S. visa law, a foreign citizen who is eligible for an A, G, or NATO visa status, and immediate family members, must have that visa category.

Please note that the Department of State will not endorse changes into, within, between, or out for anyone currently on A-3, G-5, and NATO-7 status.

Change of Status - Into, Within, or Between A or G Status (except for UN community)

For change of status requests for the A or G visa categories, except for members of the UN community print this checklist and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Submit 2 originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G or NATO Status, to the Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions (OFM-FMS@state.gov). For Ambassadors and DCMs, submit the I-566 forms to the Office of the Chief of Protocol for endorsement (DiplomaticAffairs@state.gov).

Step 2: Upon receipt of the signed Forms I-566 from the Office of Foreign Missions, or the Office of the Chief of Protocol, the foreign mission or international organization must submit the following documents for you and all your immediate family members to the Diplomatic Liaison Division:

Required Documentation

• Both originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G, or NATO Status, signed by the Office of Foreign Missions;
• Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status;
• Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, which you received when you entered the United States;
• Your passport;
• A diplomatic note:
  • Beginning July 1, 2014, the sending government must provide the following information in the diplomatic note submitted with any request for a change into A-1 or A-2 visa status in the United States:
    • the government official's or employee's name, date of birth, position and title, place of assignment or visit, purpose of travel, a brief description of their duties, travel date, and the 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.
  • Beginning July 1, 2014, the diplomatic note submitted with any request for a change into G-4 visa status in the United States must include the following information:
    • the international organization officer's or employee's name, date of birth, position and title, the international organization where the individual will be serving, the purpose of travel, a brief description of their 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.
• Form DS-1648, Online Application for A, G or NATO Visa; and
• Any other required documents (such as the original Form DS-2019 for J visa holders or Form I-20 for F visa holders).

Step 3: Submit your Change of Status request to the Diplomatic Liaison Division in person or by mail.

Requests Submitted in Person – Change of Status requests may be submitted at the Diplomatic Liaison Division's Diplomatic Reception Area, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, excluding holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). 

Directions - The Diplomatic Reception Desk is located at 600 19th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20522.

Mailed Requests – You may mail your Change of Status request, containing all required documents, 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

Prepaid Return Envelope – If you wish your passport with visa reflecting your change of status mailed back to you, you must provide a self-addressed, stamped or courier airbill return envelope. If your passport will be picked up in person at our Diplomatic Reception Area, do not submit a 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 to help 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 with 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 the applicant's 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 applicant's valid credit card number.

Change of Status - Into NATO Status

For change of status requests for the NATO visa category:

Step 1:  Submit 2 originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G or NATO Status, to NATO headquarters for endorsement.

Step 2: NATO Headquarters must then submit the following documents for you and all your immediate family members to the Diplomatic Liaison Division:

Required Documentation

• Both originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G, or NATO Status, endorsed by NATO Headquarters;
• Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status;
• Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, which you received when you entered the United States;
• Your passport;
• A letter from NATO headquarters; and
• Form DS-1648, Online Application for A, G or NATO Visa.

Step 3: Submit your Change of Status request to the Diplomatic Liaison Division in person or by mail.

Requests Submitted in Person – Change of Status requests may be submitted at the Diplomatic Liaison Division's Diplomatic Reception Area, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, excluding holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). 

Directions - The Diplomatic Reception Desk is located at 600 19th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20522

Mailed Requests – You may mail your Change of Status request, containing all required documents, 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

Prepaid Return Envelope – If you would like your passport with visa reflecting your change of status mailed back to you, you must provide a self-addressed, stamped or courier airbill return envelope. If your 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 with 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 the applicant's 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 applicant's valid credit card number.

Change of Status - Into or Within G Status for the UN community

For change of status requests for the G visa category for the UN community:

Submit the following required documents for you and all of your immediate family members to the United States Mission to the United Nations, Attn: USUN Visa Unit (for prospective employees of permanent missions and observer offices) or the United Nations Transportation Office (for prospective G-4 employees):

Required Documentation

• 2 originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G or NATO Status;
• Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status;
• Your passport;
• Form DS-1648, Online Application for A, G or NATO Visa;
• Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, which you received when you entered the United States; and
• A diplomatic note.

Processing of Change of Status Requests

The Diplomatic Liaison Division and the U.S. Mission to the UN sends change of status applications to USCIS for approval. If USCIS approves the change of status, the Diplomatic Liaison Division or U.S. Mission to the UN will issue your visa reflecting the new status. Processing times for change of status requests may be up to eight weeks.

For questions about change of status, the foreign mission, international organization, or NATO Headquarters may contact the Diplomatic Liaison Division or the U.S. Mission to the UN. See Further Questions for contact information.

Change of Status - Out of A, G, or NATO Status (except for UN community)

If you are in the United States in A, G, or NATO visa status and you are leaving your assignment but you and/or your immediate family members wish to remain in the United States in another visa status you must take the following steps:

Step 1:  Your foreign mission or international organization must notify the State Department, Office of Foreign Missions that you are leaving your assignment. NATO and foreign military members not registered with OFM: skip this step.

Step 2:  Submit your Change of Status request to the Diplomatic Liaison Division within 30 days after termination:

• Two originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G or NATO Status
• Copies of each applicant’s passport bio page, visa, and I-94 (available at I94 - Official Website (dhs.gov)). Include principal applicant if dependents are applying.
• NATO and foreign military members: a copy of your orders and letter from commanding officer that specifies the last day of your assignment in the United States.
• Supporting documentation:
  • to change to student F or M visa status: Form I-20;
  • to change to J visa status: Form DS-2019;
  • to change to visitor B visa status: a letter explaining why you want to stay in the U.S. and outlining your plans to leave the U.S.;
  • to change to a temporary employment-based visa status:  Form I-797 and job offer letter.
• Prepaid Return Envelope: if you would like the 2 signed Forms I-566 mailed back to you, you must provide a self-addressed, stamped or courier airbill return envelope.

You may submit your request in person or mail it to the Diplomatic Liaison Division:

• Requests submitted in person: the Diplomatic Liaison Division’s Reception Desk is located at 600 19th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20522 and is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, excluding holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). 
• Address for mailed requests: Department of State, Diplomatic Liaison Division; CA/VO/DO/DL, SA-17, Floor 11, Washington, DC 20522-1711.

Step 3:  The Diplomatic Liaison Division will verify that your registration has been terminated with the Office of Foreign Missions (if applicable) and that you meet the minimum requirements to change to another visa status. The Diplomatic Liaison Division will then return the two signed Forms I-566 to your foreign mission, international organization, NATO Headquarters, or directly to you, depending on how we received them.

Step 4:  Please visit this USCIS link and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the address to file your application with USCIS.

Change of Status - Out of A, G, or NATO Status for the UN community

If you are in the United States in G visa status and you are leaving your UN assignment but you and/or your immediate family members wish to remain in the United States in another visa status you must take the following steps:

Step 1:  Your foreign mission or international organization must notify the UN Protocol and Liaison Services or the UN Travel and Transportation Office that you are leaving your assignment.

Step 2:  For you and/or your immediate family members to remain in the United States in another nonimmigrant visa status:

• Submit two originals of Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request – Change to/from A, G or NATO Status directly to the U.S. Mission to the UN within 30 days after termination.
• Depending on the visa category you are requesting a change of status to, supporting documentation may be required.  Examples of supporting documents are: 
  • Form I-20 to change to student F-1 visa status;
  • a letter outlining your plans and itinerary to change to visitor B visa status; or
  • Form I-797 and job offer letter to change to a temporary employment-based visa status.

You may hand-deliver your documents to the U.S. Mission to the UN or submit them by mail with a prepaid return envelope.

Step 3: The U.S. Mission to the UN will confirm your registration has been terminated with the UN Protocol and Liaison Services or the UN Travel and Transportation Office and that you meet the minimum requirements to change to another visa status. The U.S. Mission to the UN will then return the two signed Forms I-566 to your foreign mission, international organization, or directly to you, depending on how we received them.

Step 4:  Please visit this USCIS link and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the address to file your application with USCIS.

Adjustments to immigrant status

The Diplomatic Liaison Division and the U.S. Mission to the UN do not endorse I-566 forms for individuals requesting adjustment to immigrant status. Contact the USCIS office that is responsible for the U.S. state where you reside to request adjustment to immigrant status. 

Further Questions

For the Following Services:	Contact:
A, G, and NATO visas (except for the UN community)	Diplomatic Liaison Division Visa Office, Department of State (202) 485-7681 2:00-3:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday, except holidays or diplomaticvisas@state.gov
G visas for members of the UN community	U.S. Mission to the UN (212) 415-4275 or usunvisas@state.gov