## Visas ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [Visas](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf/visas) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf/visas/index.md) - [Structured JSON version](/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf/visas/index.json) - [Bundle manifest](/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf/visas/bundle-manifest.json) --- ### Definition and general eligibility - The G-4 visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa for employees of international organizations and members of their immediate families. - Officers and employees of international organizations are considered "principals" while their family members are considered "dependents." - If you already hold a valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or already have work authorization as a dependent of a G-4 visa holder, you do not need a G-4 visa to work at the IMF. - Note: Policies governing the issuance of non-immigrant visas and dependent work authorization are determined by the U.S. authorities. ### Who is a G-4 eligible dependent? - G-4 eligible dependents include the G-4 principal's: - Spouse - Unmarried children who are members of the principal’s household and who are: - Under the age of 21 - Under the age of 23 but are full-time students at post-secondary educational institutions - Unmarried children of any age who are physically or mentally disabled - Children under the age of 26 who are eligible for IMF benefits (for benefit purposes, a dependent child is eligible for the IMF’s Medical Benefits Plan up to the age of 26) - Parent and/or parent-in-law - Note: The U.S. State Department does not allow a dependent G-4 visa holder to change status to a different non-immigrant visa (e.g., F-1 student visa or H-1B temporary worker) as long as he or she is eligible for and entitled to a G-4 visa. ### Dependent work authorization and employment rules - G-4 dependents who would like to seek employment in the U.S. must obtain a separate work authorization. - Work authorization is granted to those who meet the above eligibility for a G-4 visa except: Children under the age of 26 who are eligible for IMF benefits. - Work authorization for a dependent can only be obtained after your dependent has an active G-4 visa and you have started work. - G-4 visa dependents who are granted employment authorization are responsible for paying all federal, state, and local income, employment, and related taxes and Social Security contributions on any compensation received. Employers withhold applicable taxes and FICA duties from G-4 dependents just as they do for their other employees. - Dependents of G-4 visa holders who seek employment in other international organizations may either become a principal staff member in that institution or work under valid work authorization as a G-4 dependent. - Dependents who take on full-time employment at an embassy will need to change from G to A status. ### Obtaining a G-4 visa — timing and procedure - Staff members and any dependent family members must obtain a U.S. G-4 visa before traveling to Washington, D.C. to begin an assignment at the IMF. - If you arrive in the U.S. without a G-4 visa, it will be necessary to leave the country and apply for the G-4 visa from abroad. - The IMF cannot pay any remuneration (including salary and travel) unless you are in possession of this visa when you enter the U.S. - To obtain G-4 visas for yourself and your dependents, you will need to make a visa appointment with your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate that issues non-immigrant G-4 visas. - The process should be started as soon as possible after receiving the confirmation of your appointment but cannot normally be started more than three months before your expected entry-on-duty date. - Once you have scheduled your appointment, notify your HRD recruitment contact so that they can send the request for a G-4 visa to the appropriate U.S. consular office. The IMF will send you a copy of the request sent to the consulate; bring it, along with your appointment letter, when you apply for the visa. This documentation will normally be sufficient evidence to obtain the visa. ### Change of status and recruitment from within the U.S. - If recruited from within the United States and holding a non-immigrant visa other than a G-4, you will need to leave the country in order to secure a G-4 visa before beginning employment at the IMF. - Generally, the G-4 visa is obtained outside the U.S. in a few days. However, in some cases, the change of status may take longer. - Generally, employment at the IMF cannot begin until your visa status has been changed to G-4, and you must not return to the U.S. without having obtained the appropriate visa. ### Transferring an existing G-4 from another international organization - If you hold a G-4 visa from another international organization and are recruited from within the United States, you will need to leave the country in order to obtain a new G-4 visa under the IMF before beginning employment. - Generally, the G-4 visa is obtained outside the U.S. at a pre-defined embassy and only takes a few days. In some cases, the change of status may take longer—duration is determined by the U.S. Consulate. - Once issued, your new G-4 visa will be annotated for the IMF. - Eligible new hires may expect detailed information from the IMF’s Onboarding Team regarding visa travel and expenses covered as part of their pre-hire activities. ### Change from G-4 to Legal Permanent Residency - You and your dependents may change status from non-immigrant to immigrant status, provided that the person changing their status is eligible for such status, files the appropriate documents, and is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). - If you change from G-4 to legal permanent resident, you will become ineligible for the IMF's expatriate benefits. ### G-5 visas for domestic employees - Domestic employees of G-4 visa holders can obtain a G-5 visa through the IMF, which acts as the sponsoring organization. - The G-5 visa program is available as a special privilege for IMF staff who are G-4 visa holders. - Staff members are required to comply with all U.S. regulations governing the employment of G-5 domestic employees. - Sponsorship of a G-5 domestic employee can only be initiated after you have started working at the IMF. ### Residency requirement for G-4 holders - In accordance with the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 402.3-7(B) (U) G Visa Classifications), all IMF employees who are G-4 Visa holders must have their primary residence within the Washington D.C Metropolitan Area in order to remain eligible for their G4 visa. ### Separation or retirement from the IMF - Upon separation from the IMF, you and your family members may remain in the U.S. under G-4 status for up to 30 days. - Once you have separated from the IMF, you cannot travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. on your G-4 visa even if your visa is still valid. --- ## References - [Back to Main Page](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment) - [Working at the IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf) - [Life at the IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf) - [Finding the Right IMF Job](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/find-the-right-imf-job) _Source: https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf/visas_