Visit our Newsroom for information about the current status of visa services and visa restrictions.
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to travel to the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa. Visas are placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The visa section of this website contains information on U.S. visas for foreign citizens seeking to travel to the United States.
(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the country they wish to visit. When planning travel abroad, learn about visa requirements by country, on the country information page of the International Travel Section of this website).
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
Please visit our Visa Wizard to find out what visa type is appropriate for you. We have a complete list of Visa Categories on this website along with a helpful glossary of terms used in the application process.
You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions, or find information about the Visa Waiver Program.
Effective August 1, routine visa services in Africa will be realigned as part of a global process to strengthen national security and maximize the efficient allocation and impact of U.S. Government resources. Routine visa services will be realigned in certain African countries, and applicants will schedule their interview in the processing post or location designated for their country of residence or nationality.
Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that processes visas in your country of nationality or residence.
Residents of countries where routine visa operations are realigned should apply at a designated alternate processing post, unless the applicant is a national of another country with ongoing operations.
Please visit these pages to find a list of designated processing posts:
Many non-U.S. citizens need a visa to enter the United States to visit, work, and live. Why do you want to travel to the United States? Please try our Visa Wizard.
