The United States Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, has outlined the process for obtaining diplomatic and official visas. These visas, including categories A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, and C-3, are designated for diplomats and government officials as well as employees of international organizations such as the World Bank or the Organization of American States.
A trip is considered official when a diplomatic officer or other government representative travels to the United States to perform functions or activities on behalf of their national government. This also includes trips by foreign officials and employees who will work for an international organization in the U.S.
Applicants must secure the appropriate official visa before entering the United States. In Ecuador, these visas are processed exclusively at the U.S. Embassy in Quito. Applicants or messengers from governmental entities can submit documents at the Consular Section from Monday to Friday between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays.
For those applying for a G4 visa, "the international organization in the United States must send the Request Letter directly to the Consular Section before submitting the application."
Each applicant needs to provide several documents:
1. A valid diplomatic, official, or regular passport.
2. A recent photograph measuring 5 cm x 5 cm.
3. The DS-160 form confirmation page with a barcode.
4. A Diplomatic Note or Request Letter issued by their office or organization detailing specific information about their visit.
The Consular Section will review applications to ensure all required documents are correctly submitted. If complete and without issues, applicants can collect their passports with visas three to four business days after submission.
While official travel visas are typically processed within this timeframe, "several factors may cause uncontrollable delays." Therefore, it is recommended that travelers apply at least ten business days before their scheduled departure date.
Applicants qualifying for an official travel visa are exempt from paying application fees.
Non-official travel purposes such as tourism or medical treatment require following standard visa procedures including fee payment and interview scheduling.
Diplomatic passport holders have some exceptions; they may submit visa applications without appointments between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). They might also be exempt from visa fees regardless of purpose but must comply with certain conditions under U.S immigration law.
All applicants need to appear in person at the Consular Section with original documentation for fingerprinting and an interview unless they are under 14 years old—in which case a parent may apply on their behalf.
It is important to note that bags are not allowed inside the Consular Section during visits.