coming to perform official duties for their governments, as well as their immediate family members.5 A-2 classification is given to full-time employees of foreign diplomatic missions or consular posts who are not within the A-1 classification, noncitizens coming to perform duties and services for their governments, and their immediate family members.6 A-3 classification is to the attendants, servants, or personal employees of A-1 and nonimmigrants.7 Terms of Admission Individuals coming to the United States in diplomatic or status have been accorded wide exemption from immigration restrictions.8 Foreign ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomatic and consular officers, and the members of their immediate families are not subject to any immigration restrictions unless the President deems additional security controls are necessary.9 People in A-1 and A-2 categories may remain in the United States without the need to apply for extension of stay, provided the Secretary of State continues to recognize them as members of the diplomatic category.10 An A-3 visa holder is admitted for up to three years, which can be extended for two-year periods upon an appropriate showing of need.11 Nonimmigrants admitted as family members of A nonimmigrants may also attend school without changing their status.12 A-1s and A-2s are normally given a reasonable time to depart the United States at the conclusion of their assignments.13 The State Department generally interprets a reasonable time to be thirty days following the end of the assignment.14 Employment Authorization for Spouses and Dependents Based on agreements between the Department of State and various foreign governments, certain dependents of government employees assigned to official duties in the United States may be employed in the United States.15 The procedure for obtaining employment authorization is complex and requires the submission of Form I-566 to the Department of State.16 Children born to diplomats in the United States are considered to be LPRs.17 Change of Status A-1 and A-2 dependent visa holders may change status. To do so, they must submit a copy of their Form I-94 and Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request A, G, or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G, or NATO Status, certified by the U.S. Department of State.18 The process for change of status for A-3 visa holders can also be found in the Instructions for Form I-539.19
coming to perform official duties for their governments, as well as their immediate family members.5 A-2 classification is given to full-time employees of foreign diplomatic missions or consular posts who are not within the A-1 classification, noncitizens coming to perform duties and services for their governments, and their immediate family members.6 A-3 classification is to the attendants, servants, or personal employees of A-1 and nonimmigrants.7 Terms of Admission Individuals coming to the United States in diplomatic or status have been accorded wide exemption from immigration restrictions.8 Foreign ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomatic and consular officers, and the members of their immediate families are not subject to any immigration restrictions unless the President deems additional security controls are necessary.9 People in A-1 and A-2 categories may remain in the United States without the need to apply for extension of stay, provided the Secretary of State continues to recognize them as members of the diplomatic category.10 An A-3 visa holder is admitted for up to three years, which can be extended for two-year periods upon an appropriate showing of need.11 Nonimmigrants admitted as family members of A nonimmigrants may also attend school without changing their status.12 A-1s and A-2s are normally given a reasonable time to depart the United States at the conclusion of their assignments.13 The State Department generally interprets a reasonable time to be thirty days following the end of the assignment.14 Employment Authorization for Spouses and Dependents Based on agreements between the Department of State and various foreign governments, certain dependents of government employees assigned to official duties in the United States may be employed in the United States.15 The procedure for obtaining employment authorization is complex and requires the submission of Form I-566 to the Department of State.16 Children born to diplomats in the United States are considered to be LPRs.17 Change of Status A-1 and A-2 dependent visa holders may change status. To do so, they must submit a copy of their Form I-94 and Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request A, G, or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G, or NATO Status, certified by the U.S. Department of State.18 The process for change of status for A-3 visa holders can also be found in the Instructions for Form I-539.19
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