N Visa Overview

Introduction

Under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), certain representatives and staff from member countries can enter the US as temporary visas. Under the treaty, they are not subject to normal immigration inspections and documentary requirements. Instead, consular officials decide whether they are admitted. Admission is for as long as the Secretary of State recognizes their status. Employment authorization is obtained through the State Department.

There are different types of NATO Visas that can be issued to aliens, these are:

   1. NATO-1 Representative of NATO and their immediate relatives.
   2. NATO-2 Representative of NATO and their immediate relatives other than NATO-1.
   3. NATO-3 Employees of NATO and their immediate relatives.
   4. NATO-4 Other employees of NATO and their immediate relatives.
   5. NATO-5 Engineers of NATO and their responsible families.
   6. NATO-6 Millitary workers of NATO and their responsible famiies.
   7. NATO-7 Maids of NATO-1 through NATO-6 and their immediate relatives.
   8. N-8 When G-4 employees under 21 get immigrant status, their parents become eligible.
   9. N-9 When G-4 employees get immigrants status, their brothers and sisters or children under 21 become eligible.

An alien shall be classified under the symbol NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, or NATO-5 if he or she is seeking admission to the United States under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, or is a member of the immediate family of an alien classified NATO-1 through NATO-5.
However, many armed forces personnel are exempt from passport and visa requirements if they are either attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in the United States and are traveling on official business, or are entering the United States under NATO Status of Forces Agreement. In the case of the later, they must carry official military ID cards and NATO travel orders. Personnel of foreign armed services from other than NATO countries, coming to the United States in connection with their military status for education or training at any of the U.S. military schools, qualify for A-2 visas.
 

What is N Visa?

INA 101(a)(15)(N) creates a nonimmigrant classification to minimize any family separations caused by ineligibility for special immigrant status of certain parents and children of persons accorded status under INA 101(a)(27)(I) or (L).
Nonimmigrant "N" status may be accorded to the following aliens:

(1) The parent of an alien accorded status as a special immigrant under INA 101(a)(27)(I) or (L), as long as such aliens remains a "child," i.e., unmarried and under 21; and
(2) A child of such parent or of an alien accorded status as a special immigrant under INA 101(a)(27)(I) or (L).

Criteria: The "N" classification involves the applicant's relationship to a person who obtained permanent resident status through INA 101(a)(27)(I) or (L). The consular office must verify that a qualifying relationship exists, and that the relationship is with an alien who obtained permanent resident status through INA 101(a)(27)(I) or (L).

INA 101(a)(27)(I)

(I)(i) an immigrant who is the unmarried son or daughter of an officer or employee, or of a former officer or employee, of an international organization described in paragraph (15)(G)(i), and who (I) while maintaining the status of a nonimmigrant under paragraph (15)(G)(iv) or paragraph (15)(N), has resided and been physically present in the United States for periods totaling at least one-half of the seven years before the date of application for a visa or for adjustment of status to a status under this subparagraph and for a period or periods aggregating at least seven years between the ages of five and 21 years, and

(II) applies for a visa or adjustment of status under this subparagraph no later than his twenty- fifth birthday or six months after the date of the enactment of the Immigration Technical Corrections Act of 1988, whichever is later;

(ii) an immigrant who is the surviving spouse of a deceased officer or employee of such an international organization, and who

(I) while maintaining the status of a nonimmigrant under paragraph (15)(G)(iv) or paragraph (15)(N), has resided and been physically present in the United States for periods totaling at least one-half of the seven years before the date of application for a visa or for adjustment of status to a status under this subparagraph and for a period or periods aggregating at least 15 years before the date of the death of such officer or employee, and

(II) files a petition for status under this subparagraph no later than six months after the date of such death or six months after the date of the enactment of the Immigration Technical Corrections Act of 1988, whichever is later;

(iii) an immigrant who is a retired officer or employee of such an international organization, and who

(I) while maintaining the status of a nonimmigrant under paragraph (15)(G)(iv), has resided and been physically present in the United States for periods totaling at least one-half of the seven years before the date of application for a visa or for adjustment of status to a status under this subparagraph and for a period or periods aggregating at least 15 years before the date of the officer or employee's retirement from any such international organization, and

(II) files a petition for status under this subparagraph no later than six months after the date of such retirement or six months after the date of enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994, whichever is later; or

(iv) an immigrant who is the spouse of a retired officer or employee accorded the status of special immigrant under clause (iii), accompanying or following to join such retired officer or employee as a member of his immediate family;