Human Resources

This checklist outlines the steps to apply for G-4 visas outside the U.S. for staff and their dependents.

The G type visa is a 'non-immigrant' visa. The G visas of a staff member and his/her dependents expire on the last day of the staff member’s service with the World Bank Group and are not valid for travel, regardless of the date stamped on the G-4/G-1 visa or I-94. The U.S. provides a 30-day grace period for G visa holders to leave the U.S. or change to another valid non-immigrant visa.

• With the exception of dependent A-1/A-2 visa holders, U.S. immigration regulations require that any individual entitled to a G type visa, such as a non-immigrant spouse of a Bank Group staff member holding a G-4/G-1 visa, must be issued the same G type visa.

In practice, this means that a spouse currently working in the U.S. on an H1B work visa, F-1 student visa, or other non-immigrant visa with work authorization must stop working immediately on appointment of the staff member until a valid work permit is obtained under the G-4 dependent visa.  Dependents are not permitted to work for the duration of time it takes to change status to a dependent G-4 visa and subsequently obtain work authorization.  This process can take several months.  Prior to accepting an offer from the Bank Group, the incoming staff member should plan carefully with the spouse’s U.S. employer to accommodate the spouse's mandatory unpaid leave of absence.

• Dependents of currently active Staff, ETT/ETC, and STT/STCs must be added to the principal’s household in People & Culture (PaC/HR) records prior to requesting a dependent G-4.
• G-4 visas for non-HQ assigned staff traveling to the U.S. on approved mission travel will only be issued to accompanying dependents (spouses and children) if mission travel is for a period of 90 days or more at a time. (AMS Guidelines)
• New G-4 visas will not be issued and existing G-4 visas should not be used for unofficial travel to the U.S. including tourist travel, medical treatments (including childbirth), evacuation from current duty station, or maintaining U.S. residences.  
• Staff and dependent family members must be physically in the country where the application has been filed.  Mailing visa application documents from another country or submitting application documents on behalf of dependents not physically present in the country of application is not acceptable.

• All applicants wishing to obtain a G-4/G-1 visa in Canada must apply for their visas at the Embassy in Ottawa. Email address: OttawaDipInfo@state.gov
• Applicants wishing to obtain a G-4/G-1 visa in the Russian Federation must apply for their visas at the Embassy in Moscow. Email address: consulmo@state.gov
• The United States federal government operates border preclearance facilities at a number of ports and airports in foreign territories prior to passengers entering the United States. For more details, click here.
• Visa length of time is determined by the issuing US Embassy or Consulate and not within the control of WBG PaC/HR.
• Dependent visas are generally issued a visa with an expiration date matching the principal visa expiration date – if the principals visa expires within 60 days of the dependent, submit all renewal requests simultaneously

Dependents of HQ based staff on G-4/G-1 visas or holding U.S. Permanent Resident status are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

• Legally married spouse (unmarried domestic partners are not eligible).
• Children up to 21 years of age, whether by blood or legal adoption, who reside regularly in the household of the principal staff member and are not members of another household (e.g. married).
• Children up to 21-26 years of age, whether by blood or legal adoption, who reside regularly in the household of the principal staff member and are recorded in PaC/HR records as actively receiving a benefit from the WBG
• Children 26 years old and above who are registered with PaC/HR as disabled
• Parent or Parent-in-law when the staff member provides more than 50 percent of the parent/parent-in-law’s total financial support as well as:
  • intends to reside permanently with you in your household at HQ.
  • receives a gross income from all worldwide sources of less than $10,712 per calendar year, including but not limited to social security, pension, investments, and family member support

Note: The U.S. State Department are not able to issue new G-4/G-1 dependent visas/renewals abroad or in the United States for dependents who do not meet these criteria. Since all unmarried Bank Group sons and daughters are eligible to receive medical and dental coverage until 26 years of age, dependent children up to age 26 remain eligible for a G-4/G-1 visa per the eligibility detailed above.

Step

Action

Action by Staff

01

Staff to submit a request for G-4/G-1 visa depending on the appointment type. For regular, open, term, extended-term consultant/extended-term temporary (ETC/ETT), or short term consultant/temporary appointments, request a visa via MyHR Self-Service or email Form F0039 to HR Operations if you do not have access to MyHR Self-Service.

Note: For staff currently assigned to country offices, an approved trip request or a signed letter from the Manager must be included in the MyHR Self-Service request to enable HR Operations to process the request.

02

Action by Staff

03

Staff to check the U.S. State Department website for embassy or consulate procedures specific to where the G-4/G-1 visa will be applied for and for approximate processing times.

Note: The G-4 visa is a 'non-immigrant' visa.  If you do not find specific instructions on the U.S. State Department website for employees of international organizations, it is recommended you follow the instructions for diplomats and government officials.

04

Staff delivers their required documents listed below to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

NOTE: State Department procedures change and are not monitored by HR. Refer to the U.S. State Department website for approximate visa wait times.  Carry the following documents for your appointment at the U.S. Consulate:

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond submission to the U.S. Consulate
• Copy of Letter of Appointment for new staff or Employment verification letter non-HQ assigned staff
• Copy of the e-fax from HR to the U.S. Consulate requesting the G-4/G-1 visa.  This will be created based on your submission of the completed form F00039 or MyHR Self-Service request.
• Form DS-160 with a recent photograph that is in accordance with the U.S. State Department's photo requirements
• For dependents, a photocopy of the staff member's G-4 visa if issued prior to a dependent visa
• For spouses, the original marriage certificate and copy of the staff member's employment verification letter