Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
Domestic Employees (B-1, A-3, G-5 Visas)
Domestic employees who are accompanying or following to join an employer in the United States need B-1 visas. Those accompanying or following to join an employer who is a foreign diplomat or official need A-3 or G-5 visas, depending on the visa status of their employer. The domestic employee category includes, but is not limited to, cooks, butlers, chauffeurs, housemaids, valets, nannies, gardeners, and paid companions. Domestic employee visas are intended for short trips and temporary assignments only. If you plan to relocate permanently to the United States, you will require a different type of visa.
Requirements for B-1, A-3 and G-5 visas vary based on the status of the employer. Please apply for the visa classification that best fits your situation:
- Employer is a nonimmigrant visa holder
- Employer is a United States citizen
- Employer is assigned to an international organization or bilateral mission and is an A or G visa holder
U.S. citizens living permanently in the United States and legal permanent residents (i.e. “green card” holders) are not eligible to take their domestic employees to the United States on B-1 visas. A domestic employee in that situation generally requires an immigrant visa.
For a more complete explanation of these and other permissible B-1, A-3 and G-5 activities, please see 9 FAM 41.31 for B-1, 9 FAM 41.21 for A-3, and 9 FAM 41.22 for G-5.
Accompanying a Nonimmigrant Visa Holder (B-1)
Domestic employees who are accompanying or following to join an employer who seeks admission to, or who is already in the United States in B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q, or R nonimmigrant status may be eligible for the B-1 visa classification provided:
-
The employee has been employed outside the United States by the employer for at least one year prior to the employer’s admission to the United States, or the employer must demonstrate that he or she has regularly employed domestic help for several years preceding the time of the application; and
-
The employee has at least one year’s experience as a personal or domestic employee as attested to by statements from previous employers.
Accompanying a U.S. Citizen (B-1)
Domestic employees who are accompanying or following to join their U.S. citizen employer may be eligible for a B-1 visa if their employer ordinarily resides outside the United States and is traveling to the United States temporarily, or the employer is subject to frequent international transfers lasting two years or more and who, as a condition of employment, is going to reside in the United States for a stay not to exceed four years. It is not possible to qualify for a B-1 visa if the United States citizen will reside permanently in the United States, even if the employee has previously worked for the United States citizen abroad. The following requirements also apply:
-
The employer-employee relationship must have existed for at least six months prior to the employer’s admission in to the United States, or the employer must demonstrate the he or she has regularly employed domestic employees while abroad; and
-
The employee has at least one year’s experience as a personal or domestic employee as attested to by statements from previous employers.
How do I apply for a B-1 visa as a domestic employee?
Follow the below steps in order to apply for a B-1 visa at the Embassy:
-
Purchase a personal identification number. If you are in the United States, skip this step and go to step 2.
- Contact our Visa Information Center to schedule an appointment with the consular officer.
-
Pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
-
Appear at the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit on the date/time of your visa interview appointment.
What documents are required in order to apply for a B-1 visa as a domestic employee?
Every B-1 visa applicant must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining. Note that we are unable to process visas for applicants whose passports contain any type of powder. Also, we cannot accept damaged passports.
- A completed and signed Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain Form DS-156 at any authorized Banco Helm office, or you may download the form from our website. If you download it from our website, make sure to print both pages of the form on one letter-size (8.5 inches by 11 inches) sheet of paper, front and back. You must take the completed form to Banco Helm when you pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
- For applicants who are at least 14 years of age but under 80, a completed and signed form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain form DS-157 at any authorized Banco Helm offices, or you may download the form from our website.
- A photograph. Glue the photograph to the front of the Form DS-156 in the photograph space.
- A Colombian national identity card (cédula de identidad personal) for citizens of Colombia 18 years of age and older, a Colombia residency card for residents of Colombia 18 years of age and older, or an identification card for citizens and residents of Colombia under 18). If you just turned 18 and have not yet received your cedula or residency card, you must present the receipt issued by the Registraduría as well as the corresponding annotation on the passport.
- A valid contract containing, at a minimum, the following provisions:
- A guarantee that the employee will be compensated at the state or federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater. Any deductions for food and lodging must be no more than reasonable and voluntarily agreed to on the part of the employee;
- A statement of number of hours to be worked and days off per week, sick leave, and authorized holidays;
- A guarantee that the employer will not withhold the passport of the employee;
- A guarantee that the employer will either provide health insurance or will pay the employee’s medical expenses;
- A commitment by the employer to pay for the employee’s roundtrip transportation from Colombia;
- A commitment that the employer will be the only provider of employment to the domestic employee;
- A commitment that the employer will ensure payment of the employer’s share of all applicable federal, state and local taxes, including social security and worker’s compensation; withholding of employer’s share of all applicable taxes; and provide assistance to the employee in filing all required tax returns. Please refer to the Internal Revenue Service Household Employer’s Tax Guide.
- Evidence of the employer’s ability to pay the required salary and benefits as indicated in the employment contract.
- Copy of employer’s valid U.S. visa or evidence of the employer’s U.S. visa status.
Accompanying an A or G Visa Holder (A-3 or G-5)
Domestic employees of an employer who seeks admission to, or who is already in, the United States in A-1 or A-2 status may be eligible for an A-3 visa. Domestic employees of persons holding G-1 through G-4 visas may be eligible for a G-5 visa.
How do I apply for an A-3 or G-5 visa?
Follow the below steps in order to apply for a A-3 or G-5 visa at the Embassy:
- Purchase a personal identification number. If you are in the United States, skip this step and go to step 2.
- Contact our Visa Information Center to schedule an appointment with the consular officer.
- Pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
- Appear at the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit on the date/time of your visa interview appointment.
What documents are required in order to apply for an A-3 or G-5 visa?
Every A-3 or G-5 visa applicant must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining. Note that we are unable to process visas for applicants whose passports contain any type of powder. Also, we cannot accept damaged passports.
- A completed and signed Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain Form DS-156 at any authorized Banco Helm office, or you may download the form from our website. If you download it from our website, make sure to print both pages of the form on one letter-size (8.5 inches by 11 inches) sheet of paper, front and back. You must take the completed form to Banco Helm when you pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
- For applicants who are at least 14 years of age but under 80, a completed and signed form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain form DS-157 at any authorized Banco Helm offices, or you may download the form from our website.
- A photograph. Glue the photograph to the front of the Form DS-156 in the photograph space.
- A Colombian national identity card (cédula de identidad personal) for citizens of Colombia 18 years of age and older, a Colombia residency card for residents of Colombia 18 years of age and older, or an identification card for citizens and residents of Colombia under 18). If you just turned 18 and have not yet received your cedula or residency card, you must present the receipt issued by the Registraduría as well as the corresponding annotation on the passport.
- A valid contract containing, at a minimum, the following provisions:
- A guarantee that the employee will be compensated at the state or federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater. Any deductions for food and lodging must be no more than reasonable and voluntarily agreed to on the part of the employee;
- A statement of number of hours to be worked and days off per week, sick leave, and authorized holidays;
- A guarantee that the employer will not withhold the passport of the employee;
- A guarantee that the employer will either provide health insurance or will pay the employee’s medical expenses;
- A commitment by the employer to pay for the employee’s roundtrip transportation from Colombia;
- A commitment that the employer will be the only provider of employment to the domestic employee;
- A commitment that the employer will ensure payment of the employer’s share of all applicable federal, state and local taxes, including social security and worker’s compensation; withholding of employer’s share of all applicable taxes; and provide assistance to the employee in filing all required tax returns. Please refer to the Internal Revenue Service Household Employer’s Tax Guide.
- Note Verbale from the Foreign Ministry, Chief of Transportation Section of the United Nations, or the appropriate department in other international organizations, confirming the employment status of the employer.
- Copy of employer’s valid U.S. visa or evidence of the employer’s U.S. visa status.
Important Note: As a result of strict security procedures, some applications may require longer processing times. The application process cannot be accelerated, so you should not make final travel plans or purchase nonrefundable tickets until/unless you receive your visa. Visa applicants should never assume that their application will be approved.