Visa Requirement Information
Welcome to this page with links to official United States visa information.The Visa section of this website is all about US visas for foreign citizens to travel to the US.
Before traveling to the US, a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.
Note: If you require an invitation letter for your Visa process, send us an email to: .
US VISA Program
US welcomes millions of foreign visitors and immigrants who come to the US each year. They add greatly to our nation's cultural, educational, and economic life. In addition to open doors, we also believe in secure borders to keep us all safe.
Temporary Visitors to the US
International travelers come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the principal purpose of your travel. For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please see Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications on the USCIS website. The Consular Officer at your embassy or consulate will decide what kind of visa you need, when you apply.
Advance planning can smooth the visa application process for you.
Visa Information For Temporary Visitors
Temporary visitors to the U.S. must comply with U.S. visa immigration law and specific procedures to apply for your visa. Click on the links below for more information on forms to use for visa applications, photograph requirements and more. Based on law, not everyone will receive a visa to come to the U.S. Learn about denials, ineligibilities and waivers. Note as well that we have provided links to other government websites that provide additional information.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Important Notices:
ESTA Updates: Effective January 20, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security is transitioning to enforced compliance of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement for VWP travelers. Therefore, VWP travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States.
As of January 12, 2009, a valid ESTA approval is required for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States. DHS recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans.
Currently, 35 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
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Andorra
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Iceland |
Norway |
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Australia |
Ireland |
Portugal |
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Austria |
Italy |
San Marino |
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Belgium |
Japan |
Singapore |
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Brunei |
Latvia |
Slovakia |
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Czech Republic |
Liechtenstein |
Slovenia |
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Denmark |
Lithuania |
South Korea |
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Estonia |
Luxembourg |
Spain |
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Finland |
Malta |
Sweden |
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France |
Monaco |
Switzerland |
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Germany |
the Netherlands |
United Kingdom |
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Hungary |
New Zealand |
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Visitor Visas - Business and Pleasure
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The visa allows a foreign citizen, to travel to the United States port-of entry and request permission of the US immigration inspector to enter the US. The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2), or combination of both (B-1/B-2) purposes.
Visa Application Forms
This Web site link contains PDF documents that require Adobe Acrobat for viewing.
Visa Wait Times
Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States, we know you’d like to estimate how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa.
