Visas for Domestic Employees (Accompanying Employers on Temporary Trips)

Domestic Employees of Diplomats/Government Officials

Please click here for specific information on applying for your visas (i.e. A3 or G5). 

Additionally, please click here to print out a contract specific to employees of foreign diplomats and government officials. (PDF 148 KB)

Domestic Employees those Traveling for Tourism

All other domestic employees seeking to accompany their employers on temporary trips to the U.S. must obtain a nonimmigrant visa (category B-1).

Domestic employees seeking to obtain visas to accompany their employers on short trips to the U.S., diplomatic staff, or representatives of international organizations are encouraged to review this pamphlet (PDF 253 KB) concerning the rights of temporary workers in the United States.

Personal interview: Visa applicants ages 14 through 79 must appear in person before a Consular Officer for an interview and to scan their fingerprints for biometric identification.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong economic, familial and/or social ties to the country.

During the visa interview, employees will be expected to discuss their work history and current terms of employment. The employee must have at least one (1) year of employment with his/her current sponsor in order to qualify for a B-1 visa.

How to Apply to category B-1: Getting Started

Step 1: Fill out the form online: To begin filling out the application form (DS-160), click here

Step 2: Schedule an appointment:

To schedule your visa appointment online, you will need the barcode from your completed application.  To access our appointment schedule click here.  When scheduling your appointment, please include your phone number and email address so that we may contact you if necessary.

Step 3: Application requirements:

Photograph: Take a digital photo meeting the requirements below and bring one (1) copy of it with you for your visa interview:

• 5cm x 5cm in size
• Taken within last six (6) months
• In color or black and white
• White background
• Displays full face (looking directly at the camera)
• Wearing sunglasses is not acceptable
• Head coverings: Women: acceptable for religious reasons but may not cover any portion of the face including the forehead, jaw line, eyebrows and cheeks. Men: not acceptable.
• Military, airline or other personnel may not wear hats or uniforms

Application: Prepare the following application in its entirety and bring it with you to your interview at the Embassy:

Passport: 2 copies of your passport photo page. Your name and date of birth must be written in English by the issuing country (even for minor children included in a parent’s passport). The passport must have a minimum validity of six (6) months.

Visa application fee: A Burgan Bank receipt, valid one (1) year from the date of issuance, for the $160  fee is required. Have your passport with you when paying the fee. This fee is nonrefundable even if a visa is not granted. This fee is waived for those traveling on diplomatic passports or on official government business.

Domestic employee contract (PDF 145 KB): Signed by the employer and domestic employee and ensuring all employee rights and privileges as guaranteed under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) including payment of the hourly minimum wage ($7.25) or prevailing wage for the metropolitan area to be visited, whichever is greater. The contract must also specify a provision for overtime compensation (150% of normal wages) should the domestic employee work more than 40 hours a week. The employee must receive compensation for all hours spent on the premises of the sponsor. If the employee does not understand English, the employer must provide a certified translation of this contract in the employee’s native language. The sponsor and employee should understand the employee cannot be required to remain with the sponsor after working hours without compensation and the sponsor cannot withold the employee's passport.

Step 4: Recommended documents: U.S. immigration law requires that nonimmigrant visa applicants present evidence of strong economic, familial and/or social ties to a residence outside of the United States to which they are compelled to return. Applications unable to demonstrate such ties will be refused. The Consular Section recommends providing the following documents that can demonstrate such ties:

• Proof of employment
• Salary certificate
• Bank statement(s) demonstrating sufficient funds for travel
• Previous passport showing prior international travel

For additional visa information, please visit the Department of State website.

After reviewing the frequently asked questions, contact us if you still have an inquiry regarding consular services.

Information regarding the day of your interview