Visiting the U.S.

Millions of foreign visitors travel to the United States each year temporarily for business and pleasure. They come as tourists or to visit family and friends. Others come for specific purposes, such as, medical treatment, a conference, business meeting, or certain types of training.

Citizens of certain countries, traveling for visitor visa purposes for 90 days or less, and who meet all the requirements, can travel to the United States for tourism or business under the Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, certain citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to visit the U.S.

Many of these temporary visitors, traveling for the business and pleasure purposes explained above, need visitor visas to enter the United States. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. Please note: If you want to travel to the United States to study or to work, you will need a different kind of visa.

The U.S. government made some changes in visa procedures after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We made changes in various procedures to make sure that both U.S. citizens and visitors are safe. Advance planning by travelers is essential, for them to have their visa when they need it to come to the U.S. For most visa applicants, an interview is required as a standard part of visa processing. Visa applications are evaluated very carefully and take more time now than in the past. Some applications require additional security screening. Improved and automated procedures have considerably sped up visa clearance procedures.

For visa application procedures, forms and more, select Visitor Visa. Contact an U.S. embassy or consulate to schedule an interview appointment, and learn about additional instructions, such as how to pay the visa application processing fee, and more.