What is a U.S. 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—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.

U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. When planning travel abroad, travelers should become familiar with that country’s visa requirements.

To learn about visa requirements by country, see the country-specific travel information on the U.S. Department of State website:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

The information here addresses U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.

How Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?

Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport, or land border crossing and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined you are eligible to seek entry for that specific purpose.

DHS/CBP inspectors are responsible for admission of travelers to the United States for a specified status and period of time. DHS also has responsibility for immigration matters while you are present in the United States.

What Types of Visas are There?

The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law and relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of U.S. visas:

• Nonimmigrant visas—for travel to the United States on a temporary basis.

• Immigrant visas—for travel to live permanently in the United States.

A U.S. visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in the United States. In Connecticut, as in all other U.S. states, the process and regulations for obtaining a U.S. visa are governed by federal law and administered by the U.S. Department of State. Nonimmigrant visas are for individuals intending to stay temporarily, while immigrant visas are for those seeking permanent residency. To enter the U.S., a visa holder must arrive at a port of entry and be granted permission by the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It's important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.; it only allows the bearer to travel to a U.S. entry point and request permission to enter. The specific requirements and types of visas available can be found on the U.S. Department of State's website. Citizens of certain countries may be eligible for visa-free travel under programs such as the Visa Waiver Program, but they must meet specific requirements.