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G4 Visa Updates - STTs' and STCs' FAQs

ST VISA ELIGIBLITY

1. Which U.S. visas or immigration documents allow ST’s to work at the World Bank in the United States?

G-4 Principal Visa
G-4 Dependent Visa with valid Employment Authorization Document
A-1/A-2 Diplomatic Dependent Visa with valid Employment Authorization Document
J-1 Student/Exchange Visa (non-fee contract only with supporting documentation from university and U.S. Government)
F-1 Student Visa with valid Pre-Completion CPT Employment Authorization Document (part-time only)
Pending Permanent Residency (Green Card) with valid Employment Authorization Document
Temporary Protective Status with valid Employment Authorization Document
Asylum Status with valid Employment Authorization Document
Refugee Status with valid Employment Authorization Document

2. Are WBG STs eligible for a G-4 visa?

Yes. STs with HQ based contracts, and their dependents are eligible for G-4 visas.

3. Which dependents are eligible for a G-4 visa?

Spouses and children up to age 21 are eligible for a dependent G-4 visa to accompany the principal G-4 ST.
Dependents of STs working on Temporary Duty (TDY) work programs are required to leave the U.S. every 90 days with the ST per the requirements for TDY STs.

4. How long are G-4 visas issued for?

The length of time a G-4 visa is valid is determined by the U.S. State Department. The WBG is not able to influence the length of validity but will request G-4 visa renewals when needed.

5. Are there a minimum number of days required on an ST contract to be eligible for a G-4 visa?

No. A G-4 visa is an entry document for employees of the WBG to enter the U.S. to work. Continued employment and billing of days worked allows STs to live in the U.S. during an active contract. The designated work schedule (Full-Time vs TDY) determines how long STs may stay in the U.S. at one time.

6. Are ST’s able to work with F-1 Student Visa with OPT/CPT Employment Authorization Document?

Students in the DC Metro area with F-1 visas and pre-completion employment authorization document (EAD) CPT may work as STs
STs with F-1 visa with pre-completion CPT employment authorization document (EAD) may only work part-time with the World Bank. [NOTE: ST employment of more than 30 hours a week makes STs eligible for a G-4 visa. State Department requires all staff eligible for a G-4 visa to obtain their G-4 visa in order to work for the Bank].
STT/STCs with an F-1 visa and CPT EAD are not eligible for registration with the Department of State as full-time staff.
STs with F-1 visa and post-completion CPT/OPT employment authorization document (EAD) if more than 3 months must obtain a G-4 visa outside the US to work with the World Bank

7. Can STs holding World Bank sponsored G-4 visa work at another IFI while also working for the WBG (IMF, IDB, etc.)?

No. Staff/STs with a WBG G-4 visa may only work for the WBG while in the US on their WBG sponsored G-4 visa.

8. Can STs work for the World Bank with a G-4 visa sponsored by another IFI (IMF, IDB, etc.)?

No. Staff/STs must obtain a G-4 visa sponsored by the WBG before they can begin employment. Staff/STs may only work for the organization that sponsored their G-4 visa

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2024

ST WORK SCHEDULES

1. What are the two work schedule options available to STs?

Full-time: a minimum of 18 days/140 hours per month for more than 90 calendar days (65 billable days).
TDY: less than 18 days/140 hours per month or any contract less than 90 calendar days (65 billable days).

2. Who determines the STs work schedule?

The TTL/unit determines the work schedule and reports it to HR at time of initial ST contract request via Admin Portal. STs can change initial work schedule designation at time of completing ST Compliance via MyHR Self Service.

3. What are the expectations for being on a Full-Time schedule?

Working and billing at least 18 days per calendar month in the ST Payment System;
Payments must be submitted before the end of the calendar month the work was completed in and approved by TTL by the 5^th of the next month.

4. What are the requirements for being on a Temporary Duty (TDY) schedule?

Billing all days worked each month before the end of the calendar month the work was completed in;
Leaving the U.S. at least every 90 calendar days to obtain an updated US Entry document (I-94) for submission to HR Operations.

ST Compliance With G-4 Visa Requirements

1. Do the G-4 visa regulations impact STs on dependent (spouse) G-4 visas with valid Employment Authorization Card (EAC)?

No. The regulations only apply to Principal G-4 holders.

2. How is ST compliance monitored by HR?

Full-Time: required to enter a minimum of 18 days/140 hours worked via ST payment portal by the end of each calendar month. [Note: billing must be done between the first and last day of each calendar month, with no cross over between months and TTL must approve submitted time by the 5th of the following month].
TDY: required to provide copies of a visa stamp or I-94 as validation of leaving the U.S. every 90 days via HR Self-Service.

3. Can STs who work less than 18 days (140 hours) per month obtain/keep a G-4 visa?

Yes. STs working less than 18 days (140 hours) per are Temporary Duty STs and are eligible for a G-4 visa

4. How does the G-4 visa policy impact staff on TDY work schedules?

TDY STs cannot reside in the U.S. for more than 90 consecutive calendar days at a time.
TDY STs are not eligible for registration with the U.S. State Department, which enables them to:
- obtain local driver’s licenses
- obtain work authorization cards for eligible dependents; and
- renew G-4 visas inside the U.S.

5. If the work program of an ST on G-4 visa is full-time work, i.e. 35 hrs/week billed, does the STC/STT have to leave the U.S. every 90 days?

No. STC/STTs who maintain full-time status are registered with State Department and they do not need to leave the U.S. every 90 days.

6. What happens if I am a Full-Time ST on a G-4 visa but cannot record 18 days/140 hours per month?

Full-Time STs who are not able to record 18 days/140 hours in the ST Payment system by the end of the month will receive a reminder notification of the full-time ST requirements.

7. I have received a third notification as a Full-Time ST that I did not record 18 days/140 hours saying I am being converted to Temporary Duty (TDY) and unregistered with State Department. What does this mean?

STs will receive up to 3 reminders per fiscal year if they have not recorded the minimum number of days/hours for the month, resulting in conversion to TDY status.
STs must leave the U.S. immediately upon receiving their notification of conversion to TDY status and submit an the I-94 record of entry upon return to record departure/return.

8. I received a third notification that says I must leave the U.S. immediately. Do I really have to leave the U.S.?

If your most recent I-94 is dated more than 90 days ago, travel outside the U.S. is required as you have not been completing the required work requirements.

9. Is the Bank Group responsible for the extra cost of travel for impacted staff to comply with visa requirements?

No. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the ST.

10. Once I left the U.S. as either full-time or TDY ST, can I return to the U.S. to continue working on my contract?

Yes. If you have unbilled days/hours remaining on your contract you can use your G-4 visa to return to the U.S. as a TDY ST.

11. If I return to the U.S. as a TDY ST, do I need to inform HR?

Yes. When you return to the U.S. submit a copy of your most recent I-94 record of entry to HR via MyHR Self Service to record your date of entry to the U.S. You may remain in the U.S. working on your contract for up to 90 days before needing to depart again.

12. If I bill all of my days or my contract ends, can I stay in the U.S. until my TTL gives me more days or extends my contract?

No. If an ST has no more days/hours left to bill or the contract has ended the ST must leave the U.S. until additional days are provided, or the contract is extended.

13. How long after the end of my contract must STs leave the U.S.?

Full-Time: STs who are registered with the U.S. State Department have 30 days to depart the U.S. at the end of their contract or when they have billed all of their available days. Departure from the U.S. is not required if a new contract is initiated or additional billable days are added within those 30 days.
TDY: Must depart the U.S. once they their contract has ended or all available days have been billed.

14. The 150-day/1,200-hour fiscal year maximum for STT/STC contracts does not allow me to work Full-Time all year, do I need to leave the U.S. if my TTL cannot extend my contract until the new fiscal year?

Yes. If an ST has no more days/hours left to bill or the contract has ended because of the 150-day maximum, the ST must leave the U.S until additional days are provided or the contract is extended in the new fiscal year.

15. If I am not able to leave the U.S. when I am supposed to, what is the waiver request process?

There is no waiver process provided to extend the 90-day maximum stay in the U.S for TDY STs or to not leave the U.S. if your contract ends. Please plan your travel accordingly.

16. I am a ST with a G-4 visa but I do not have a World Bank email or access to MyHR Self Service, how do I notify HR of my G-4 status and/or my travel?

Please notify your TTL of your need to access MyHR Self Service for G-4 compliance reasons.
Email HROperations@worldbank.org with your initial visa and work program details or your most recent I-94 if you are returning to the US
NOTE: without a WB email, all reminders to comply with G-4 regulations will also be sent to your TTL for immediate action.

17. I was converted to TDY status due to failure to comply with Full-Time requirements (i.e. receiving 3^rdnotice). Can I switch back to Full-Time for the rest of the fiscal year?

STs with 65 days/520 hours remaining unbilled may request conversion back to Full-time status via MyHR Self Service.

18. What are the U.S. Immigration consequences if ST’s do not depart the US as instructed (every 90 days for TDY or immediately if converted from Full Time to TDY)?

Failure to follow U.S. Immigration rules may result in difficulty entering the U.S. in the future

State Department Registration

1. I am a Full-Time ST; can I renew my G-4 visa inside the U.S.? How long before it expires can I start the visa renewal process?

Yes. Full Time ST’s may renew their G-4 visa inside the U.S. up to 2 months before expiration.

2. I am a Full-time ST; can I request a work permit for my spouse?

Full-time STs with at least 100 unbilled days remaining on their current contract may request a dependent work permit. Checklist steps for requesting a dependent work permit are online here.

3. Is registration with the State Department required for STs who do not intend to apply for driver’s licenses or work authorizations for their dependents?

Yes. State Department mandates registration of staff in order to validate residence in the U.S.

4. I am a TDY ST; can I request a State Department letter to obtain a U.S. driver license?

No. TDY STs are not registered with State Department and therefore are not eligible for the State Department letter necessary to apply for a U.S. driver license.