Welcome to the Visa section of travel.state.gov, an official source of information about United States ( U.S. ) visa policy and procedures. We hope you’ll use this site to learn about different types of U.S. visas, the application process, and to better understand the requirements you need to meet in order to receive your visa.

Millions of foreign visitors travel to the U.S. each year. Others come to live here permanently. International visitors and immigrants add greatly to our nation's cultural, education and economic life. We welcome them. At the same time, we need to do everything we can to keep everyone here, safe. We believe in secure borders and open doors.

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. If your destination is the U.S., please watch this brief video, which explains new visa policies and procedures for visitors to the United States -- a nation with secure borders and open doors.

If you are visiting temporarily, see Temporary Visitors to the U.S.

If you are visiting permanently, see Permanent Immigrants to the U.S.

Questions? See Questions about Visas

Please also see "We Don't Want to Lose Even One International Student," by Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty.