What is a Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States. Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.
What Type of Visa Do You Need?
For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly to the online application (form DS-160). For immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below.
The Consular Section is committed to the protection of U.S. citizens at home and abroad. We protect U.S. borders by facilitating travel for legitimate visa applicants while screening out persons who might do us harm or are otherwise ineligible for a visa under U.S. immigration laws. We ensure the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens living or traveling overseas by providing both routine and emergency services. At all times, we strive to provide quality service consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.
The Consular Section is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday (except on U.S. and Guatemalan holidays or 2023: U.S. MISSION OFFICES IN GUATEMALA.)
