Official visas and travel on official passports

• All officials traveling on behalf of their federal government require visas to transit or enter the U.S.
• Travel on state government business does not require a visa if the individual traveling otherwise meets the requirements for the Visa Waiver Program. If not, such travelers should apply for B-1/B-2 tourist/business visas, not official visas. The B-1/B-2 visa requires an interview at the nearest U.S. Consulate.
• Applicants for official visas do not normally have to appear in person for an interview at the U.S. Consulate.
• Official visas can be entered into any type of passport - regular, official or diplomatic.
• Officials planning to use their official or diplomatic passport for personal travel should ensure that this is permitted by their employing agency.

Travel on Federal Government Business

All official business travel on behalf of the federal government, whether by federal or state government employees, requires an official visa.

This visa can be placed into any type of passport (regular, official, or diplomatic) and can be issued by the U.S. Consulate responsible for the Australian state where the applicant is resident.

The visa classification will be determined by the Consulate based on a brief description of the activities to be performed in the U.S. and by the applicant's position within his or her government.

How to apply

Each applicant is required to submit the following documents:

• Confirmation page of the completed Electronic Visa Application Form DS-160
• Current valid passport & previous passport containing valid visa (if applicable). Do not send passports in the Blue Passport Holder as they will not be returned
• Obtain a formal request from a government agency endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
• A self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope, Registered Post envelope, or courier satchel for the return of your documents

Note: To complete the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-160 visa application, you will need a digital photo (5cm × 5cm against a white background). Please read carefully the requirements to upload your photo and the photo specifications before you begin completing your application. If your photo fails to upload correctly to the above requirements, you must include a photo when submitting your application, meeting the following printed photo requirements.

How to submit your application

Send the above required documents to the U.S. Consulate General serving your state:

• Residents of New South Wales, ACT, and Queensland should apply to the Consulate General in Sydney
• Residents of Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania should apply to the Consulate General in Melbourne
• Residents of Western Australia should apply to the Consulate General in Perth

Applications for official visas generally do not require applicants to appear in person, nor are there any application fees.

Transit for Federal Government Business

All transit to a third country (such as Canada) for official business requires a C-3 transit visa. Transit through the U.S. on another classification of official visa is only appropriate if the traveler will also be undertaking official activities or meetings in the U.S. on the same trip.

Applications for official transit visas require neither personal appearance nor payment of fees. Please follow the same application procedure as for Official Visas above.

State Government Business

Individuals traveling on business for a state government are not eligible for official visas.

Assuming they meet all the normal requirements for the Visa Waiver Program, such applicants may travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program.

Otherwise, they can apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa at the U.S. Consulate responsible for their state. Further details on how to apply can be found on our non-immigrant visa page.

A B-1/B-2 visa can be entered into any type of passport - diplomatic, official or regular.

Third-Country Officials

U.S. Consulates in Australia can issue official visas to citizens of third countries (countries other than Australia or the U.S.) traveling on behalf of their governments on receipt of an endorsed request from their Embassy.

Official visas cannot be issued to third-country nationals at the request of another government. Such travelers must obtain a diplomatic note or other endorsement from their own Embassy.

Applications for official visas for third-country nationals generally require neither personal appearance nor payment of fees.

Unofficial Travel

Diplomatic and official passport holders applying for a visa for personal travel are required to attend a personal interview at the U.S. Consulate in their region. Applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 who are Australian citizens or permanent residents are except from this requirement. These applications may be mailed to the Consulate, or they may be submitted by a family member who is attending the Consulate for their own interview.

Certain applicants holding diplomatic passports are not required to pay visa application fees, even for unofficial travel. Should the Consulate determine that a fee is required in your case, you will be advised at the time of your interview, and you will then be able to pay the appropriate fees to the Consulate cashier. Please see our fees page for more information on consular fees.

Official passport holders generally pay all normal fees when traveling in an unofficial capacity.

How to Apply for Unofficial Travel

Determine if you are eligible for travel on the Visa Waiver Program and verify with your government agency that you may travel on the VWP with your official or diplomatic passport. All VWP travelers, including diplomats and officials, require an ESTA authorization prior to travelling on the VWP.

For travelers who require a B-1/B-2 temporary visitor visa, ensure each applicant completes the following steps:

• Complete the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-160 online and print out the confirmation page with the barcode.
• To complete your online visa application, you will need a digital photo. Please read carefully the requirements to upload your photo and the photo specifications before you begin completing your application. If you do not have a digital photo or you fail to upload your photo correctly, you may send a photo meeting these requirements along with your passport. Further details of photo requirements.
• Enclose a self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope, Registered Post envelope, or courier satchel for the return of your documents.
• To request an appointment, please email the U.S. Consulate in your region at SydneyInterviews@state.gov, MelbourneInterviews@state.gov or PerthVisas@state.gov.

Further Information

The Department of State website has further information on travel for diplomats and foreign government officials. Please see our telephone information page for general advice on visas (charges apply).

Last update: Friday, 9 October 2009 GMT+1100