Visa policy of the United States
Visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the U.S. diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program countries. The same rules apply for travel to all U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands with additional waivers, while similar but separate rules apply to American Samoa.
Overview
Travel documents
The U.S. government requires all individuals entering or departing the United States by air, or entering the United States by sea from outside the Americas, to hold one of the following documents:[1]
- U.S. passport
- Foreign passport; for entry, a U.S. visa is also required except for:
- Citizens of the freely associated states (Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau)[2]
- Nationals of certain neighboring jurisdictions (Canada and Bermuda generally; Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands under certain conditions; and Mexico under limited categories)
- Nationals of countries in the Visa Waiver Program (or of certain additional countries only for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)
- U.S. permanent resident card (Form I-551) or temporary I-551 stamp
- U.S. travel document serving as a re-entry permit (Form I-327) or refugee travel document (Form I-571)
- U.S. advance parole authorization (Form I-512), or employment authorization document (Form I-766) annotated "valid for re-entry to U.S." or "serves as I-512 advance parole"
- U.S. military or NATO identification with official travel order
- U.S. merchant mariner credential indicating U.S. citizenship
- NEXUS card indicating U.S. or Canadian citizenship (only to or from Canadian airports)
- U.S. government-issued transportation letter or boarding foil (for entry only)
- Foreign emergency travel document or U.S. removal order (for departure only)
For entry by land or sea from the Americas, individuals must present one of the documents acceptable for entry by air or one of the following:[1]
- U.S. passport card
- NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST or Global Entry card indicating U.S. or Canadian citizenship
- U.S. or Canadian enhanced driver's license
- Enhanced tribal card, Native American photo identification card, or Canadian Indian status card
- U.S. or Canadian birth certificate, U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, U.S. naturalization certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate, only for children under age 16, or under age 19 in a supervised group[3]
- Government-issued photo identification along with U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or naturalization certificate, only for travel by cruise ship returning to the same place of departure in the United States[4]
Nationals of Mexico may use a Border Crossing Card, which serves as a visa when presented with a passport. Without a passport, the card on its own also allows entry by land or sea while remaining within 25 miles (40 km) from the Mexico–United States border (up to 75 miles in Arizona and 55 miles in New Mexico) for a stay of up to 30 days.[5][6]
Children born to a U.S. permanent resident mother during a temporary visit abroad do not need a passport or visa at the mother's first re-entry to the United States within two years after birth. Similarly, children born abroad to a parent with a U.S. immigrant visa after its issuance do not need a passport or visa if listed in the parent's passport with a birth certificate.[1]
Visas
While there are about 185 different types of U.S. visas,[7] there are two main categories:
- Nonimmigrant visa, for temporary stays such as for tourism, business, family visits, study, work or transit;
- Immigrant visa: for permanent residence in the United States. At the port of entry, upon endorsement with an I-551 admission stamp, the visa serves as evidence of permanent residence for one year, and the visa holder is processed for a green card. A child with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa automatically becomes a U.S. citizen upon admission and is processed for a certificate of citizenship (N-560).
A U.S. visa does not authorize entry into the United States or a stay in a particular status, but only serves as a preliminary permission to travel to the United States and to seek admission at a port of entry. The final admission to the United States is made at the port of entry by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. For those entering in a nonimmigrant visa status, the admission details are recorded by the CBP officer on a Form I-94 (or Form I-94W for nationals of the Visa Waiver Program countries for short visits), which serves as the official document authorizing the stay in the United States in a particular status and for a particular period of time.[8] In order to immigrate, one should either have an immigrant visa or have a dual intent visa, which is one that is compatible with making a concurrent application for nonimmigrant and immigrant status.
Entering the United States on an employment visa may be described as a three-step process in most cases. First, the employer files an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requesting a particular type of category visa for a specific individual. If the employer's application is approved, it only authorizes the individual to apply for a visa; the approved application is not actually a visa. The individual then applies for a visa and is usually interviewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the native country. If the embassy or consulate grants the visa, the individual is then allowed to travel to the United States. At the airport, border crossing or other point of entry, the individual speaks with an officer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to request admission, and if approved, the individual may then enter the United States.[7]
In addition to immigration sponsored by a U.S. family member or employer, about 55,000 immigrant visas are available each year to natives of certain countries under the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery.
Visa policy map
Visa exemption
Citizens of freely associated states
| Under Compacts of Free Association, citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau may enter, reside, study and work in the United States indefinitely without a visa. These benefits are granted to citizens from birth or independence, and to naturalized citizens who have resided in the respective country for at least five years, excluding those who acquired citizenship by investment.[9][10] |
Nationals of neighboring jurisdictions
The United States grants visa-free entry to nationals of two neighboring jurisdictions under most circumstances:[5]
- Canada – Citizens of Canada do not need a visa to visit the United States under most circumstances.[11] In addition, under the USMCA (and previously the NAFTA), they may obtain authorization to work under a simplified procedure.
- Bermuda – British Overseas Territories citizens of Bermuda do not need a visa to visit the United States under most circumstances for up to 180 days.[11] They may also enter to study there without a visa.[12] To qualify for the visa exemption, they must present a British passport with "Government of Bermuda" on the cover, with the nationality listed as "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Dependent Territories Citizen", and containing an endorsement stamp of "Holder is registered as a Bermudian", "Holder possesses Bermudian status" or "Holder is deemed to possess Bermudian status".[12]
The United States also grants visa-free entry to nationals of some other neighboring jurisdictions under certain conditions:[5]
- Bahamas – Nationals of the Bahamas do not need a visa to the United States if they apply for admission at a U.S. preclearance facility located in the Bahamas. In addition to a Bahamian passport, applicants 14 years of age or older must present a police certificate issued by the Royal Bahamas Police Force in the previous six months indicating no criminal record.[13]
- British Virgin Islands – British Overseas Territories citizens of the British Virgin Islands may travel without a visa to the U.S. Virgin Islands with their British Virgin Islands passport. They may also continue travel to other parts of the United States if they present a Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Department indicating no criminal record.[5][14]
- Cayman Islands – British Overseas Territories citizens of the Cayman Islands may travel without a visa to the United States. To qualify, they must receive a visa waiver from the Cayman Islands Passport and Corporate Services Office, for which they must present a Cayman Islands passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended departure from the United States, a fee of 25 Cayman Islands dollars, and a police clearance certificate for applicants age 13 or older.[15] The visa waiver is valid for only one entry and for travel directly from the Cayman Islands to the United States.[16]
- Turks and Caicos Islands – British Overseas Territories citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands may travel to the United States without a visa for short stays for business or pleasure. To qualify, they must travel directly from the territory to the United States, present a Turks and Caicos Islands passport or another travel document stating that they are British Overseas Territory citizens with the right of abode in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and applicants 14 years of age or older must also present a police certificate issued in the previous six months indicating no criminal record.[17]
Visa-free entry is also granted to limited categories of nationals of another neighboring country:
- Mexico – Some nationals of Mexico do not need a visa to travel to the United States: government officials not permanently assigned to the United States and their accompanying family members, holding diplomatic or official passports, for stays of up to six months; members of the Kickapoo tribes of Texas or Oklahoma, holding Form I-872, American Indian Card; and crew members of Mexican airlines operating in the United States.[5] Other nationals of Mexico may travel to the United States with a Border Crossing Card, which functions as a visa and has similar requirements.[18] Under the USMCA (and earlier NAFTA), they may also obtain authorization to work under a simplified procedure.
| Date of visa exemption |
|---|
|
Visa Waiver Program
As of 2023, 40 countries have been selected by the U.S. government for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Their nationals do not need a U.S. visa for short stays, but they are required to obtain an electronic authorization (ESTA) prior to arrival.[20] Visitors may stay for up to 90 days in the United States, which also includes time spent in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean if the arrival was through the United States.[1]
| ||
| Date of visa exemption |
|---|
Argentina was added to the VWP on July 8, 1996, and removed on February 21, 2002.[33] |
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is not considered a visa, but a prerequisite to traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA has an application fee of US$4, and if approved, an additional fee of $17 is charged, for a total of $21. Once obtained, the authorization is valid for up to two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first, and is valid for multiple entries into the United States.[d] Passengers are advised to apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before departure.[36][35]
Travel by air or sea with ESTA must be made on a participating commercial carrier. The VWP does not apply at all if arriving by air or sea on an unapproved carrier (e.g. a private ship or plane), in which case a standard visa is required.[35] ESTA is also required for entry by land.[37]
As of 2023, those who have previously been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, or in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, or who are dual nationals of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria, are not eligible to travel under the VWP and must obtain a standard visa.[38][35] However, those who traveled to such countries as diplomats, military, journalists, humanitarian workers or legitimate businessmen may have this ineligibility waived.[39]
Visa waiver programs of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Although the visa policy of the U.S. also applies to the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, both territories have additional visa waiver programs for certain nationalities. The Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program, first enacted in October 1988 and periodically amended, permits nationals from 12 countries in Asia, Europe and Oceania to enter Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as tourists for up to 45 days without the need to obtain a U.S. visa or ESTA.[5] A parole policy also allows nationals of China visa-free access to the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days.[40]
| Date of visa waiver changes |
|---|
|
Travelers with a visa or ESTA are admitted to the territories in accordance with the terms of the visa or ESTA.
Travelers using the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program or the parole are required to complete an I-736 form (online as of February 2018[51][52]), hold a machine-readable passport and nonrefundable return ticket, and are not permitted to travel to other parts of the United States. Because of special visa categories for the Northern Mariana Islands' foreign workers, traveling between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands still requires a full immigration inspection, and all visitors departing Guam or Northern Mariana Islands are inspected regardless of final destination.[53]
American Samoa
U.S. visa policy does not apply to the territory of American Samoa, as it has its own entry requirements and maintains control of its own borders. Hence, neither a U.S. visa nor an ESTA can be used to enter American Samoa. If required, an entry permit or electronic authorization (OK Board) must be obtained from the Department of Legal Affairs of American Samoa.[54]
U.S. nationals may remain indefinitely in American Samoa.[55] To enter, they must present a U.S. passport, or apply online for an electronic authorization providing a copy of their birth certificate, identification card and itinerary. If they cannot present their original or certified birth certificate and valid identification, the application requires a fee of US$50 for verification of vital records.[56]
Nationals of countries in the Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP) may visit for up to 30 days without an entry permit. However, if arriving by air, they must apply online for an electronic authorization called "OK to Board" or "OK Board", at least 48 hours before travel, providing a biometric passport and itinerary. They must also pay a fee of US$20, before travel or on arrival.[55][57]
- Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP) of American Samoa
| ||
| Date of entry permit waiver changes |
|---|
|
Nationals of other countries need an entry permit. To apply, they must have a local sponsor, who must appear in person at the Immigration Office of the Department of Legal Affairs and provide either a deed of private land or signatures of the sponsor's sa'o (head chief) and pulenu'u (village mayor). Travelers must also provide a copy of their passport and itinerary, clearances from the District Court of American Samoa and Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center, consent for a background check by the Department of Homeland Security of American Samoa, police and health clearances from the country of origin, and a fee of US$40 (no fee for children under 5 years of age). The application for an entry permit must be made at least 30 days before travel, and the permit is valid for a stay of up to 30 days.[61] Business travelers may apply for a multiple-entry permit, for a fee of US$50 per month, up to one year.[62]
Nationals of Samoa may apply for entry permits for a stay of up to 14 days (fee of US$10) or 30 days (fee of US$40, except for children under 5 years of age). Their application process requires fewer documents.[63][61]
Transit travelers of any nationality may apply for an electronic authorization free of charge, allowing a stay of up to 24 hours.[64]
Alaska
Residents of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in Russia who are members of the indigenous population do not need a visa to visit Alaska if they have relatives (blood relatives, members of the same tribe, native people who have similar language and cultural heritage) in Alaska. Entry points are in Gambell and Nome.
Individuals must be invited by a relative in Alaska, must notify local authorities at least ten days before traveling to Alaska, and must leave Alaska within 90 days.
The agreement establishing this policy was signed by Russia (then the Soviet Union) and the United States on September 23, 1989. The United States made it effective as of July 17, 2015.[65][66]
American Indians born in Canada
Members of certain indigenous peoples born in Canada may enter and remain in the United States indefinitely "for the purpose of employment, study, retirement, investing, and/or immigration" or any other reason by virtue of the Jay Treaty of 1794, as codified in Section 289 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act.[67]
In order to qualify, an individual must possess "at least 50 per centum blood of the American Indian Race".[67][68] Tribal membership alone does not qualify an individual.[67] The individual bears the burden of proof in establishing eligibility, typically by way of presenting identification based on reliable tribal records, birth certificates, and other documents establishing the percentage of Indian blood.[69] A Canadian Certificate of Indian Status is insufficient proof because it does not indicate the percentage of Indian blood.[69]
This provision does not extend to family members unless they qualify in their own right.[67][69][70] However, qualifying American Indians residing in the United States are considered to be lawfully admitted for U.S. permanent residence and therefore may file a petition for their spouse and dependent children, subject to statutory numerical limitations and a potential backlog of applications.[67][71][72]
Summary of visa exemptions
| Country or territory | States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico | U.S. Virgin Islands | Guam | Northern Mariana Islands | American Samoa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise | Air | |||||
| Marshall Islands | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Micronesia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Palau | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Canada | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Bermuda | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Australia | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Brunei | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Japan | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| New Zealand | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Singapore | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| South Korea | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Taiwan | ESTA[i] | ESTA[i] | Yes[i][j] | Yes[i][j] | Yes | OK Board |
| United Kingdom[h] | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK Board |
| Schengen Area[k][a] | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | OK Board |
| Andorra | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | OK Board |
| Chile | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | OK Board |
| Ireland | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | OK Board |
| Monaco | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | OK Board |
| San Marino | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | Yes | OK Board |
| Croatia | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | No | No |
| Poland | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | ESTA | No | No |
| Bahamas | Police certificate | No | No | No | No | No |
| British Virgin Islands | Police certificate | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Cayman Islands | Police certificate | No | No | No | No | No |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | Police certificate | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hong Kong[f] | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Malaysia | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Nauru | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Papua New Guinea | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| China | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Israel | No | No | No | No | Yes | OK Board |
Restricted entry or visa issuance
Sanctions
The United States has suspended the issuance of certain types of visas for certain people from certain countries as sanctions for their lack of cooperation in accepting the return of their nationals deported from the United States.[73][74] As of 2023, these sanctions apply to nationals of Eritrea[75] and to certain government officials and their family members of Cambodia,[76] China[77][78] (also under separate sanctions[79][80]), Laos,[81] Myanmar,[82] Pakistan[83] and Sierra Leone.[84]
The United States has also suspended the issuance of visas in Cuba and Venezuela due to the ordered departure of U.S. government personnel, but nationals of these countries may still apply for visas at U.S. embassies or consulates in other countries.[85][86]
Outlying islands
Visits to the United States Minor Outlying Islands – Baker Island,[87] Howland Island,[88] Jarvis Island,[89] Johnston Atoll,[90] Kingman Reef,[91] Midway Atoll,[92] Navassa Island,[93] Palmyra Atoll[94] and Wake Island[95] – are severely restricted. The islands are not accessible to the general public, and all visits require special permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or from The Nature Conservancy for Palmyra Atoll,[94] or from the U.S. Air Force for Johnston Atoll[90] and Wake Island.[96]
Qualification process
Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every nonimmigrant visa applicant (except certain employment-related applicants, who are exempt) is an intending immigrant unless otherwise proven. Therefore, applicants for most nonimmigrant visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
- The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for a specific, intended purpose;
- They plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
- They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will ensure their return at the end of their stay.
All visit, business, transit, student, and exchange visitor visa applicants must pay an application fee of US$185[97] to the consular section at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to be interviewed by a consular officer who will determine if the applicant is qualified to receive a visa to travel to the United States (additionally, the officer may also ask the United States Department of State for a Security Advisory Opinion, which can take several weeks to resolve). The application fee is increased to $205 for most work visas and can be even higher for certain categories.[97] If the applicant is rejected, the application fee is not refunded. If the application is approved, nationals of certain countries must also pay a visa issuance fee, based on reciprocity.[98] Amongst the items included in the qualification decision are financial independence, adequate employment, material assets and a lack of a criminal record in the applicant's native country.
Admission statistics
Over 2 million Over 1 million Over 500 thousand Over 250 thousand Over 100 thousand Over 15 thousand Under 15 thousand
The highest number of non-immigrant admissions for tourists and for business purposes into the United States in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was from the following countries (listed over 700,000 admissions):[99][100][101][102]
| Country | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 18,101,904 | 18,420,891 | 19,175,345 | 18,889,281 |
| Canada | 11,616,347 | 11,366,670 | 11,671,122 | 11,289,743 |
| United Kingdom[103] | 4,786,421 | 4,930,593 | 4,691,874 | 4,549,934 |
| Japan | 3,697,844 | 3,717,029 | 3,750,667 | 3,933,941 |
| China[104] | 2,630,300 | 2,587,968 | 2,309,654 | 2,001,302 |
| South Korea | 2,324,707 | 2,001,417 | 1,742,422 | 1,576,328 |
| Germany | 2,228,358 | 2,190,832 | 2,208,145 | 2,283,086 |
| Brazil | 2,011,385 | 1,866,261 | 2,383,822 | 2,275,588 |
| France[105] | 1,923,414 | 1,897,398 | 1,915,725 | 1,966,335 |
| Australia[106] | 1,463,908 | 1,423,898 | 1,399,615 | 1,389,358 |
| Italy | 1,282,989 | 1,262,691 | 1,229,115 | 1,282,485 |
| India | 1,264,598 | 1,206,225 | 1,175,153 | 1,111,738 |
| Argentina | 1,085,461 | 943,224 | 765,576 | 730,089 |
| Spain | 1,037,798 | 1,012,133 | 953,969 | 955,737 |
| Colombia | 926,855 | 885,763 | 928,424 | 924,916 |
| Netherlands[107] | 796,945 | 766,691 | 749,826 | 766,936 |
| Total (worldwide) | 70,056,257 | 69,128,433 | 69,025,896 | 67,519,113 |
| Statistics of American Samoa[108] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 |
| Samoa | 23,723 | 22,954 | 22,371 | 21,251 | 20,786 |
| United States | 18,324 | 16,959 | 17,560 | 17,053 | 14,487 |
| New Zealand | 4,174 | 3,825 | 3,660 | 3,580 | 3,589 |
| Philippines | 1,095 | 970 | 1,148 | 1,016 | 966 |
| Australia | 1,035 | 930 | 974 | 860 | 978 |
| Fiji | 615 | 704 | 644 | 639 | 615 |
| China | 674 | 669 | 861 | 832 | 758 |
| Tonga | 747 | 595 | 707 | ||
| Total | 76,002 | 71,952 | 50,159 | 48,197 | 45,326 |
| Statistics of Guam[109] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
| South Korea | 746,987 | 685,228 | 544,957 | 427,900 | 308,037 |
| Japan | 563,220 | 620,376 | 745,680 | 773,019 | 810,856 |
| United States | 93,244 | 77,077 | 77,706 | 70,246 | 55,192 |
| Taiwan | 27,880 | 32,505 | 42,229 | 42,205 | 49,136 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 20,563 | 19,325 | 17,579 | 14,334 | 14,761 |
| Philippines | 19,091 | 19,132 | 21,652 | 12,427 | 12,079 |
| China | 16,267 | 21,954 | 27,013 | 23,698 | 16,280 |
| Total | 1,552,177 | 1,545,392 | 1,535,518 | 1,409,050 | 1,343,092 |
| Statistics of Northern Mariana Islands[110] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 |
| South Korea | 333,069 | 200,875 | 182,622 | 142,081 |
| China | 229,389 | 206,538 | 186,509 | 170,121 |
| Japan | 52,227 | 62,120 | 80,832 | 109,793 |
| Guam | 16,018 | 13,932 | 19,968 | 11,879 |
| United States | 8,528 | 8,516 | 8,566 | |
| Hong Kong | 4,746 | 1,710 | 732 | 1,098 |
| Russia | 2,130 | 1,796 | 1,374 | 11,200 |
| Taiwan | 1,053 | 717 | 0 | 0 |
| Philippines | 969 | 999 | 2,405 | 694 |
| Total | 653,150 | 501,469 | 478,592 | 459,240 |
Classes of visas
Nonimmigrant visas
A visa
A visas are issued to representatives of a foreign government traveling to the United States to engage in official activities for that government. A visas are granted to foreign government ambassadors, ministers, diplomats, as well as other foreign government officials or employees traveling on official business (A-1 visa). Certain foreign officials require an A visa regardless of the purpose of their trip. The A visa is also granted to immediate family members of such foreign government officials, defined as "the principal applicant's spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are not members of some other household and who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien" (A-2 Visa) and which "may also include close relatives of the principal alien or spouse who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption who are not members of some other household; who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien; and who are recognized as dependents by the sending government (A-3 Visa).[111]
B visa
The most common non-immigrant visa is the multiple-purpose B-1/B-2 visa, also known as the "visa for temporary visitors for business or pleasure." Visa applicants sometimes receive either a B-1 (temporary visitor for business) or a B-2 (temporary visitor for pleasure) visa, if their reason for travel is specific enough that the consular officer does not feel they qualify for combined B-1/B-2 status.[112] Holders may also attend short non-credit courses. Mexican citizens are eligible for Border Crossing Cards.[113]
From November 29, 2016, all holders of Chinese passports who also hold 10-year B visas are required to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before traveling to the United States. This requirement may be extended to other nationalities in the future.[114][115]
Effective January 24, 2020, B visas are not issued to individuals expected to give birth during their stay, unless they demonstrate that the primary purpose of their visit is not to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.[116] In addition, B visa applicants seeking medical treatment in the United States must demonstrate their arrangements for the medical treatment and sufficiently establish their ability to pay for it.[116]
Validity period
10 years 4–5 years 2–3 years | 12–15 months 3–6 months 1 month–5 years (depending on issuance fee or visa subtype) | United States |
| Country | Issuance fee (USD) | Entries | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Albania | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Algeria | 0 | multiple | 2 years |
| Andorra[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Angola | 0 | multiple | 2 years |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Argentina | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Armenia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Australia[l] | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Austria[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Azerbaijan | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Bahamas[m] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Bahrain | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Bangladesh | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Barbados | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Belarus | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Belgium[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Belize | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Benin | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Bhutan | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Bolivia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Botswana | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Brazil | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Brunei[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Bulgaria | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Burkina Faso | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Burundi | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Cambodia | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
| Cameroon | 35 | multiple | 6 months |
| 215 | multiple | 1 year | |
| Canada[n] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Cape Verde | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Central African Republic | 40 | multiple | 1 year |
| Chad | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Chile[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| China | 0 | multiple | 10 years[o] |
| Colombia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Comoros | 0 | 1 | 2 months |
| 282 | multiple | 1 year | |
| Congo | 0 | multiple | 6 months[p] |
| 15 | multiple | 6 months[q] | |
| Costa Rica | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Croatia[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Cuba | 0 | 1 | 3 months[r] |
| 0 | 1 | 6 months[p] | |
| Cyprus | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Czech Republic[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 0 | multiple | 3 months |
| Denmark[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Djibouti | 155 | multiple | 1 year |
| Dominica | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Dominican Republic | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| East Timor | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
| Ecuador | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Egypt | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| El Salvador | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Equatorial Guinea | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Eritrea | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Estonia[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Eswatini | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Ethiopia | 0 | multiple | 2 years[s] |
| Fiji | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Finland[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| France[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Gabon | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Gambia | 15 | multiple | 5 years |
| Georgia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Germany[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Ghana | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Greece[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Grenada | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Guatemala | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Guinea | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Guinea-Bissau | 0 | multiple | 15 months |
| Guyana | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Haiti | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Honduras | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Hong Kong | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Hungary[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Iceland[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| India | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Indonesia | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Iran | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Iraq | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Ireland[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Israel | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Italy[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Ivory Coast | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Jamaica | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Japan[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Jordan | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Kazakhstan | 0 | multiple | 10 years[t] |
| Kenya | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Kiribati | 0 | multiple | 4 years |
| Kosovo | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Kuwait | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Kyrgyzstan | 20 | multiple | 5 years |
| Laos | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Latvia[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Lebanon | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Lesotho | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Liberia | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Libya | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Liechtenstein[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Lithuania[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Luxembourg[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Macau | 0 | multiple | 10 years[u] |
| Madagascar | 0 | multiple | 3 months |
| Malawi | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| 35 | multiple | 6 months | |
| 115 | multiple | 1 year | |
| Malaysia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Maldives | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Mali | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Malta[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Marshall Islands[n] | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| Mauritania | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Mauritius | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Mexico | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Micronesia[n] | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
| Moldova | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Monaco[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Mongolia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Montenegro | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Morocco | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Mozambique | 0 | 3 | 3 months[v] |
| 0 | multiple | 3 months[w] | |
| Myanmar | 0 | 1 | 3 months[r] |
| 415 | multiple | 1 year[p] | |
| Namibia | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Nauru | 0 | multiple | 5 years[p] |
| 7 | 1 | 3 months[q] | |
| Nepal | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Netherlands[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| New Zealand[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Nicaragua | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Niger | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Nigeria | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| North Korea | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
| North Macedonia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Norway[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Oman | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Pakistan | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Palau[n] | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
| Palestine | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Panama | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Papua New Guinea | 0 | 1 | 1 month |
| 138 | multiple | 1 year | |
| Paraguay | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Peru | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Philippines | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Poland[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Portugal[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Qatar | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Romania | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Russia | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Rwanda | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Saint Lucia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Samoa | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| San Marino[l] | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 0 | multiple | 6 months |
| Saudi Arabia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Senegal | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Serbia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Seychelles | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Sierra Leone | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Singapore[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Slovakia[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Slovenia[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Solomon Islands | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Somalia | 0 | 1 | 3 months |
| South Africa | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| South Korea[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| South Sudan | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
| Spain[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Sri Lanka | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Sudan | 0 | 1 | 3 months[r] |
| 0 | multiple | 1 year[p] | |
| Suriname | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Sweden[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Switzerland[l] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Syria | 0 | multiple | 3 months |
| Taiwan[l] | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Tajikistan | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Tanzania | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Thailand | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Togo | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Tonga | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Tunisia | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Turkey | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Turkmenistan | 0 | multiple | 3 months |
| 90 | multiple | 6 months | |
| 330 | multiple | 1 year | |
| Tuvalu | 0 | 1 | 1 month[p] |
| 0 | multiple | 25 months[q] | |
| Uganda | 0 | multiple | 2 years |
| Ukraine | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| United Arab Emirates | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| United Kingdom[x] | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Uruguay | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Uzbekistan | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Vanuatu | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Vatican City | 0 | multiple | 5 years |
| Venezuela | 0 | multiple | 10 years |
| Vietnam | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Yemen | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| Zambia | 0 | multiple | 3 years |
| Zimbabwe | 0 | multiple | 1 year |
| stateless | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
Adjusted visa refusal rate
<3% 3–5% | 5–10% 10–20% | 20–30% 30–40% | 40–50% >50% | United States Visa-exempt countries |
The Adjusted Refusal Rate is based on the refusal rate of B visa applications. B visas are adjudicated based on applicant interviews; the interviews generally last between 60 and 90 seconds.[118] Due to time constraints, adjudicators profile applicants.[118] Certain demographics, such as young adults who are single and unemployed, almost never receive visas, unless they articulate a compelling reason.[118] Adjudicators are evaluated on how fast they carry out interviews, not the quality of adjudication decisions.[119] The validity of B visa decisions is not evaluated.[119]
To qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, a country must have had a nonimmigrant visa refusal rate of less than 3% for the previous year or an average of no more than 2% over the past two fiscal years with neither year going above 2.5%.[120] In addition, the country must provide visa-free access to United States citizens and has to be either an independent country or a dependency of a VWP country (which has precluded Hong Kong and Macau from participating in the program). (Until April 4, 2016, Argentina charged $160 to U.S. citizens to enter.)
The Adjusted Visa Refusal Rates for B visas were as follows:
| Country/Region | Fiscal Year 2008[121] | Fiscal Year 2014[122] | Fiscal Year 2015[123] | Fiscal Year 2016[124] | Fiscal Year 2017[125] | Fiscal Year 2018[126] | Fiscal Year 2019[127] | Fiscal Year 2020[128] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 51.00% | 46.70% | 61.03% | 73.80% | 72.14% | 71.39% | 68.42% | 56.05% |
| Albania | 38.70% | 39.80% | 36.82% | 35.95% | 40.45% | 41.92% | 41.45% | 40.06% |
| Algeria | 20.30% | 23.10% | 25.92% | 36.00% | 43.96% | 39.26% | 44.22% | 49.69% |
| Angola | 17.10% | 21.40% | 26.77% | 48.52% | 36.01% | 51.76% | 58.26% | 62.15% |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 21.70% | 20.80% | 20.17% | 22.11% | 20.50% | 19.07% | 15.25% | 23.44% |
| Argentina | 3.10% | 1.40% | 2.14% | 2.14% | 1.79% | 1.73% | 2.07% | 2.79% |
| Armenia | 53.30% | 43.80% | 47.17% | 45.88% | 51.87% | 53.83% | 51.65% | 56.47% |
| Azerbaijan | 14.00% | 13.50% | 12.93% | 14.83% | 27.63% | 28.45% | 25.43% | 26.41% |
| Bahrain | 6.60% | 4.70% | 3.81% | 6.26% | 9.53% | 6.96% | 13.55% | 9.04% |
| Bangladesh | 48.20% | 50.80% | 59.96% | 62.82% | 60.88% | 40.05% | 39.78% | 40.34% |
| Barbados | 10.10% | 9.80% | 9.54% | 11.24% | 8.72% | 7.07% | 6.76% | 10.79% |
| Belarus | 21.10% | 14.00% | 12.53% | 14.87% | 21.69% | 23.26% | 21.93% | 27.01% |
| Belize | 25.40% | 16.40% | 30.47% | 35.21% | 30.91% | 34.55% | 28.63% | 23.31% |
| Benin | 39.10% | 31.40% | 35.74% | 38.01% | 42.10% | 47.74% | 48.48% | 45.27% |
| Bhutan | 48.30% | 43.60% | 54.55% | 69.78% | 52.43% | 59.63% | 57.13% | 53.56% |
| Bolivia | 23.60% | 13.60% | 13.56% | 14.36% | 18.08% | 22.19% | 24.17% | 20.36% |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | 21.30% | 16.10% | 20.38% | 19.70% | 16.37% | 23.50% | 25.27% | 16.01% |
| Botswana | 15.60% | 16.90% | 16.67% | 18.97% | 17.94% | 18.67% | 17.54% | 19.26% |
| Brazil | 5.50% | 3.20% | 5.36% | 16.70% | 12.34% | 12.73% | 18.48% | 23.16% |
| Bulgaria | 13.30% | 15.20% | 17.26% | 16.86% | 14.97% | 11.32% | 9.75% | 12.52% |
| Burkina Faso | 44.40% | 37.40% | 50.37% | 65.35% | 75.74% | 71.16% | 62.32% | 62.86% |
| Burundi | 58.80% | 50.00% | 58.35% | 61.33% | 75.55% | 74.39% | 73.16% | 77.72% |
| Cambodia | 44.30% | 39.90% | 48.41% | 35.62% | 41.05% | 54.22% | 33.65% | 26.50% |
| Cameroon | 46.70% | 28.20% | 29.89% | 36.84% | 47.29% | 32.63% | 57.97% | 57.12% |
| Cape Verde | 42.70% | 28.70% | 36.05% | 45.89% | 50.70% | 52.27% | 52.66% | 42.74% |
| Central African Republic | 39.60% | 46.60% | 32.43% | 35.12% | 44.24% | 36.03% | 37.45% | 48.67% |
| Chad | 41.40% | 32.40% | 33.87% | 42.53% | 51.65% | 60.80% | 70.16% | 70.60% |
| China | 18.20% | 9.00% | 10.03% | 12.35% | 14.57% | 17.00% | 18.22% | 22.12% |
| Colombia | 25.60% | 12.30% | 15.52% | 17.79% | 21.93% | 35.11% | 41.93% | 46.82% |
| Comoros | 14.00% | 17.00% | 54.44% | 53.73% | 48.45% | 69.46% | 53.02% | 86.15% |
| Congo | 33.20% | 35.40% | 40.77% | 46.55% | 48.47% | 52.23% | 60.49% | 59.34% |
| Costa Rica | 21.20% | 11.40% | 9.83% | 8.39% | 6.49% | 9.91% | 18.66% | 24.77% |
| Croatia | 5.10% | 6.10% | 5.29% | 6.78% | 5.10% | 5.92% | 4.02% | 2.69% |
| Cuba | 45.20% | 66.20% | 76.03% | 81.85% | 77.17% | 50.97% | 53.40% | 60.15% |
| Cyprus | 1.70% | 3.50% | 3.53% | 2.03% | 1.69% | 2.38% | 2.78% | 6.21% |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 36.20% | 39.10% | 45.62% | 45.63% | 49.94% | 50.56% | 53.80% | 58.03% |
| Djibouti | 42.50% | 50.10% | 52.00% | 47.09% | 74.80% | 82.96% | 85.35% | 69.79% |
| Dominica | 29.50% | 29.00% | 33.33% | 31.63% | 28.74% | 37.13% | 26.83% | 30.38% |
| Dominican Republic | 45.60% | 35.90% | 33.78% | 31.88% | 35.78% | 49.54% | 53.21% | 39.18% |
| East Timor | 16.70% | 25.00% | 12.68% | 26.67% | 7.02% | 8.16% | 4.23% | 21.43% |
| Ecuador | 40.00% | 20.80% | 31.34% | 29.18% | 27.95% | 31.38% | 34.05% | 33.44% |
| Egypt | 35.30% | 34.00% | 33.57% | 28.61% | 34.24% | 32.15% | 31.83% | 35.16% |
| El Salvador | 45.70% | 36.30% | 45.72% | 57.12% | 52.97% | 51.49% | 58.18% | 62.95% |
| Equatorial Guinea | 11.10% | 17.80% | 19.30% | 17.75% | 18.21% | 21.29% | 27.79% | 59.18% |
| Eritrea | 51.10% | 41.70% | 55.67% | 50.49% | 71.69% | 69.54% | 65.39% | 63.62% |
| Eswatini | 13.00% | 10.00% | 12.95% | 8.03% | 12.59% | 8.49% | 5.73% | 5.52% |
| Ethiopia | 46.70% | 44.90% | 48.32% | 38.13% | 50.30% | 41.74% | 45.46% | 39.73% |
| Fiji | 38.00% | 14.00% | 14.92% | 20.23% | 26.59% | 41.74% | 38.96% | 44.44% |
| Gabon | 23.00% | 13.50% | 15.74% | 21.29% | 26.10% | 40.00% | 45.41% | 37.61% |
| Gambia | 55.70% | 69.30% | 75.64% | 69.87% | 70.27% | 64.22% | 72.30% | 66.84% |
| Georgia | 46.60% | 48.20% | 50.58% | 62.82% | 61.09% | 62.35% | 63.85% | 66.91% |
| Ghana | 50.10% | 59.80% | 63.28% | 65.70% | 56.18% | 49.35% | 55.60% | 57.01% |
| Grenada | 29.90% | 29.50% | 32.00% | 35.71% | 26.94% | 26.44% | 19.49% | 24.76% |
| Guatemala | 33.80% | 35.90% | 45.37% | 48.68% | 47.14% | 53.62% | 58.64% | 52.36% |
| Guinea | 63.80% | 47.80% | 59.81% | 63.53% | 64.59% | 66.16% | 73.29% | 63.79% |
| Guinea-Bissau | 63.40% | 56.50% | 65.18% | 71.88% | 71.61% | 76.09% | 65.33% | 66.36% |
| Guyana | 56.60% | 40.20% | 37.28% | 25.76% | 37.92% | 70.62% | 62.96% | 62.20% |
| Haiti | 54.40% | 58.20% | 60.45% | 64.52% | 71.44% | 67.59% | 60.81% | 50.16% |
| Honduras | 33.60% | 36.80% | 39.73% | 42.76% | 40.35% | 60.32% | 61.71% | 52.10% |
| Hong Kong | 3.30% | 3.10% | 4.36% | 4.61% | 3.45% | 4.25% | 3.23% | 4.50% |
| India | 24.70% | 19.80% | 23.78% | 26.02% | 23.29% | 26.07% | 27.75% | 27.26% |
| Indonesia | 37.00% | 8.30% | 8.71% | 11.19% | 10.99% | 12.81% | 12.46% | 12.19% |
| Iran | 42.50% | 41.80% | 38.55% | 45.02% | 58.66% | 87.66% | 86.58% | 85.88% |
| Iraq | 46.30% | 41.40% | 52.82% | 51.71% | 60.71% | 56.95% | 49.94% | 45.24% |
| Israel | 3.00% | 8.20% | 3.85% | 4.09% | 4.88% | 5.10% | 5.33% | 6.52% |
| Ivory Coast | 40.90% | 29.80% | 28.59% | 37.38% | 33.72% | 33.81% | 35.73% | 40.66% |
| Jamaica | 35.50% | 32.30% | 37.62% | 35.64% | 46.78% | 54.46% | 56.59% | 57.07% |
| Jordan | 43.20% | 26.90% | 37.59% | 40.34% | 40.06% | 42.62% | 45.26% | 44.44% |
| Kazakhstan | 11.70% | 9.90% | 12.70% | 27.55% | 32.81% | 39.38% | 42.58% | 47.34% |
| Kenya | 35.60% | 27.30% | 27.34% | 26.60% | 33.17% | 41.59% | 49.86% | 50.26% |
| Kiribati | 26.20% | 15.40% | 16.05% | 5.81% | 5.13% | 25.33% | 11.69% | 55.56% |
| Kosovo | 47.90% | 38.10% | 44.03% | 41.48% | 37.92% | 35.97% | 36.76% | 39.47% |
| Kuwait | 6.50% | 5.70% | 5.73% | 4.56% | 8.32% | 2.71% | 3.27% | 5.01% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 32.10% | 43.20% | 55.75% | 51.68% | 55.58% | 58.9% | 67.75% | 65.60% |
| Laos | 73.40% | 61.10% | 66.68% | 62.37% | 63.66% | 64.06% | 65.60% | 70.57% |
| Lebanon | 27.90% | 16.10% | 27.10% | 25.41% | 31.75% | 25.22% | 23.85% | 28.44% |
| Lesotho | 32.10% | 16.70% | 13.95% | 21.20% | 35.97% | 21.94% | 28.24% | 26.74% |
| Liberia | 70.70% | 49.40% | 62.45% | 70.23% | 64.98% | 64.36% | 73.93% | 67.62% |
| Libya | 27.10% | 33.90% | 43.02% | 40.58% | 45.50% | 73.73% | 89.05% | 80.90% |
| Madagascar | 11.90% | 11.60% | 11.01% | 12.12% | 11.00% | 11.77% | 7.69% | 14.36% |
| Malawi | 28.90% | 12.30% | 10.23% | 14.52% | 26.49% | 28.20% | 37.05% | 42.67% |
| Malaysia | 5.60% | 4.60% | 3.34% | 3.65% | 3.93% | 4.94% | 4.91% | 6.97% |
| Maldives | 4.70% | 6.70% | 15.49% | 47.56% | 27.74% | 9.88% | 33.65% | 22.88% |
| Mali | 48.10% | 54.00% | 52.77% | 57.58% | 59.43% | 50.60% | 55.89% | 55.99% |
| Mauritania | 51.00% | 52.20% | 61.45% | 71.45% | 67.30% | 61.58% | 67.79% | 80.15% |
| Mauritius | 11.60% | 2.20% | 5.71% | 5.53% | 8.29% | 6.49% | 6.59% | 6.22% |
| Mexico | 11.40% | 15.60% | 20.17% | 23.49% | 22.50% | 24.93% | 26.66% | 23.16% |
| Moldova | 36.70% | 40.10% | 41.83% | 36.35% | 49.12% | 61.10% | 58.03% | 51.00% |
| Mongolia | 53.60% | 27.90% | 34.76% | 43.63% | 53.62% | 56.51% | 54.60% | 45.47% |
| Montenegro | 25.60% | 28.00% | 31.26% | 28.69% | 26.41% | 35.35% | 39.10% | 58.53% |
| Morocco | 24.00% | 21.90% | 20.60% | 26.77% | 36.99% | 42.88% | 28.48% | 23.35% |
| Mozambique | 13.80% | 4.00% | 4.03% | 10.29% | 26.18% | 10.22% | 14.24% | 18.64% |
| Myanmar | 41.90% | 15.50% | 16.32% | 13.02% | 17.88% | 23.12% | 30.91% | 40.68% |
| Namibia | 6.80% | 7.60% | 7.43% | 5.56% | 6.31% | 8.40% | 6.60% | 5.20% |
| Nauru | 66.70% | 42.90% | 5.26% | 13.33% | 20.97% | 21.43% | 20.83% | 25.00% |
| Nepal | 51.20% | 38.20% | 42.19% | 49.54% | 46.42% | 51.53% | 50.70% | 48.11% |
| Nicaragua | 41.80% | 35.80% | 41.19% | 44.54% | 43.28% | 46.75% | 63.52% | 63.17% |
| Niger | 55.70% | 36.40% | 31.10% | 31.14% | 30.65% | 43.33% | 42.76% | 53.50% |
| Nigeria | 36.00% | 33.20% | 32.56% | 41.44% | 44.95% | 57.47% | 67.20% | 64.83% |
| Non-nationality based issuances[y] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 28.92% | 35.61% | 40.27% | 43.16% | 46.06% |
| North Korea | 16.30% | 55.60% | 47.67% | 15.00% | 54.55% | 100.00% | 100% | 0.00% |
| North Macedonia | 33.50% | 29.80% | 36.08% | 33.84% | 28.69% | 31.29% | 36.19% | 29.62% |
| Oman | 2.20% | 2.10% | 2.00% | 1.93% | 3.46% | 4.87% | 5.13% | 6.32% |
| Pakistan | 46.30% | 38.00% | 40.40% | 46.43% | 49.40% | 47.89% | 48.26% | 45.62% |
| Palestine | 55.60% | 36.70% | 42.68% | 40.64% | 50.98% | 53.87% | 52.92% | 58.27% |
| Panama | 19.20% | 10.00% | 11.36% | 12.05% | 11.61% | 11.71% | 18.93% | 15.33% |
| Papua New Guinea | 3.40% | 7.40% | 5.14% | 10.56% | 9.34% | 6.84% | 1.74% | 6.64% |
| Paraguay | 14.40% | 6.10% | 6.15% | 7.47% | 6.83% | 8.02% | 12.41% | 16.80% |
| Peru | 37.70% | 13.80% | 14.46% | 28.61% | 25.97% | 28.53% | 25.39% | 24.13% |
| Philippines | 31.00% | 24.60% | 27.96% | 27.29% | 25.54% | 27.07% | 24.40% | 32.49% |
| Qatar | 4.90% | 2.10% | 2.97% | 3.50% | 7.48% | 8.34% | 10.33% | 8.28% |
| Romania | 25.00% | 9.80% | 11.16% | 11.43% | 11.76% | 10.44% | 9.11% | 10.14% |
| Russia | 7.50% | 7.80% | 10.24% | 9.29% | 11.61% | 14.89% | 15.19% | 17.79% |
| Rwanda | 50.30% | 51.10% | 49.17% | 43.79% | 52.17% | 44.51% | 53.76% | 63.93% |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 25.00% | 27.50% | 26.60% | 28.31% | 26.66% | 24.98% | 21.87% | 23.28% |
| Saint Lucia | 26.60% | 27.60% | 26.90% | 27.16% | 22.34% | 21.90% | 16.75% | 23.31% |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 26.40% | 24.10% | 27.15% | 27.46% | 20.38% | 19.17% | 14.55% | 21.10% |
| Samoa | 32.40% | 27.20% | 29.99% | 28.44% | 40.32% | 26.26% | 27.02% | 36.87% |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 28.60% | 10.70% | 5.71% | 24.14% | 14.81% | 26.09% | 34.78% | 36.36% |
| Saudi Arabia | 6.60% | 3.30% | 3.24% | 4.04% | 5.26% | 7.47% | 6.82% | 10.01% |
| Senegal | 55.20% | 57.50% | 54.37% | 52.46% | 56.85% | 59.18% | 55.88% | 65.28% |
| Serbia | 11.70% | 16.00% | 16.54% | 18.77% | 22.33% | 25.93% | 30.33% | 25.01% |
| Seychelles | 18.00% | 6.80% | 7.26% | 9.66% | 13.14% | 11.64% | 10.60% | 6.38% |
| Sierra Leone | 50.10% | 51.90% | 53.02% | 61.25% | 47.30% | 60.56% | 57.99% | 59.35% |
| Solomon Islands | 6.50% | 5.40% | 7.26% | 4.28% | 16.79% | 3.57% | 2.20% | 9.09% |
| Somalia | 54.00% | 52.00% | 64.60% | 63.89% | 75.50% | 90.16% | 80.77% | 71.76% |
| South Africa | 4.60% | 2.60% | 5.08% | 6.83% | 6.44% | 7.31% | 6.92% | 7.80% |
| South Sudan | n/a | 43.80% | 41.77% | 43.89% | 47.52% | 41.29% | 52.32% | 53.36% |
| Sri Lanka | 31.40% | 19.50% | 22.07% | 21.69% | 26.19% | 33.61% | 35.12% | 36.00% |
| Sudan | 38.60% | 42.40% | 40.45% | 36.59% | 51.37% | 59.83% | 57.44% | 50.25% |
| Suriname | 9.60% | 13.60% | 7.78% | 10.86% | 11.44% | 8.57% | 7.44% | 10.83% |
| Syria | 33.10% | 60.00% | 63.43% | 59.77% | 59.11% | 77.31% | 74.83% | 66.68% |
| Tajikistan | 32.40% | 49.00% | 44.44% | 55.24% | 51.84% | 53.39% | 60.97% | 59.55% |
| Tanzania | 26.20% | 21.30% | 12.02% | 23.05% | 18.36% | 19.87% | 23.90% | 31.04% |
| Thailand | 19.80% | 10.20% | 12.35% | 17.82% | 20.15% | 22.17% | 23.41% | 24.44% |
| Togo | 51.70% | 35.60% | 43.42% | 54.39% | 59.88% | 59.61% | 59.78% | 62.32% |
| Tonga | 48.70% | 25.40% | 28.09% | 31.58% | 32.85% | 51.33% | 45.85% | 48.15% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 23.80% | 21.20% | 25.16% | 22.70% | 22.46% | 19.28% | 13.05% | 14.10% |
| Tunisia | 23.90% | 17.50% | 19.69% | 15.92% | 19.53% | 27.67% | 24.17% | 19.11% |
| Turkey | 11.20% | 7.10% | 13.88% | 13.62% | 17.86% | 17.49% | 19.19% | 17.46% |
| Turkmenistan | 45.40% | 18.60% | 25.41% | 32.95% | 40.60% | 52.93% | 56.26% | 58.55% |
| Tuvalu | 17.60% | 27.30% | 21.05% | 20.00% | 15.38% | 34.78% | 25.81% | 33.33% |
| Uganda | 34.40% | 37.20% | 30.63% | 41.53% | 42.38% | 42.29% | 51.65% | 49.82% |
| Ukraine | 30.90% | 27.70% | 34.03% | 40.83% | 34.54% | 40.97% | 45.06% | 43.14% |
| United Arab Emirates | 10.40% | 4.80% | 7.10% | 4.02% | 5.80% | 3.75% | 5.56% | 8.44% |
| Uruguay | 9.50% | 1.80% | 2.70% | 3.14% | 3.19% | 4.11% | 5.91% | 9.77% |
| Uzbekistan | 61.10% | 52.10% | 49.59% | 57.09% | 50.29% | 61.76% | 68.06% | 74.14% |
| Vanuatu | 16.70% | 20.00% | 10.53% | 16.67% | 13.51% | 38.30% | 41.05% | 46.34% |
| Vatican City | 16.70% | 7.70% | 25.00% | 0.00% | 36.36% | 0.00% | 8.33% | 0.00% |
| Venezuela | 25.40% | 15.20% | 15.57% | 40.25% | 42.87% | 74.28% | 59.53% | 52.30% |
| Vietnam | 38.80% | 14.30% | 23.43% | 29.49% | 24.06% | 26.20% | 23.70% | 18.78% |
| Western Sahara | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 100.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Yemen | 54.70% | 44.20% | 54.01% | 48.85% | 60.76% | 82.50% | 78.45% | 76.66% |
| Zambia | 53.30% | 22.20% | 20.98% | 22.26% | 21.72% | 22.45% | 40.64% | 44.78% |
| Zimbabwe | 30.30% | 13.20% | 21.03% | 22.88% | 26.32% | 26.60% | 26.92% | 29.41% |
Overstay rate
A number of visitors overstay the maximum period of allowed stay on their B-1/B-2 status after entered the U.S. on their B-1/B-2 visas. The Department of Homeland Security publishes annual reports that list the number of violations by passengers who arrive via air and sea. The table below excludes statistics on persons who left the United States later than their allowed stay or legalized their status and shows only suspected overstays who remained in the country.
The top 20 nationalities by the number of suspected in-country B-1/B-2 overstays in 2016 and 2017 were:[129][130]
| Overstay number | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Number of suspected in-country overstays (2017) | In-country overstay rate (against total number of expected departures) (2017) | Number of suspected in-country overstays (2016) | In-country overstay rate (against total number of expected departures) (2016) |
| Canada | 90,707 | 1.04% | 117,267 | 1.36% |
| Mexico | 44,250 | 1.62% | 43,747 | 1.49% |
| Brazil | 31,912 | 1.77% | 36,929 | 1.78% |
| Colombia | 21,070 | 2.42% | 18,404 | 2.13% |
| Venezuela | 29,419 | 5.46% | 22,906 | 4.16% |
| Nigeria | 19,046 | 10.27% | 11,461 | 6.04% |
| China | 16,225 | 0.68% | 17,108 | 0.83% |
| India | 12,498 | 1.16% | 15,723 | 1.57% |
| Dominican Republic | 10,963 | 2.78% | 9,211 | 2.70% |
| Haiti | 9,813 | 6.36% | 5,000 | 3.86% |
| Jamaica | 9,172 | 3.04% | 9,177 | 3.26% |
| Ecuador | 8,529 | 2.07% | 7,356 | 1.87% |
| Argentina | 6,574 | 0.65% | 6,752 | 0.80% |
| Guatemala | 6,280 | 2.30% | 5,442 | 2.20% |
| Honduras | 4,840 | 2.38% | 5,085 | 2.79% |
| Peru | 4,687 | 1.52% | 5,310 | 1.79% |
| El Salvador | 4,748 | 2.44% | 4,771 | 2.60% |
| Philippines | 4,715 | 1.61% | 4,438 | 1.77% |
| Ukraine | 3,995 | 4.49% | 2,707 | 3.25% |
| Russia | 3,837 | 1.39% | 3,344 | 1.31% |
| Total (all nationalities) | 280,559 | 1.91% | 263,470 | 1.90% |
The top 10 nationalities by in-country B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate are:[129][130]
| Overstay rate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | In-country overstay rate (against total number of expected departures) (2017) | In-country overstay rate (against total number of expected departures) (2016) |
| Djibouti | 41.60% | 24.87% |
| Solomon Islands | 29.82% | 0.00% |
| Eritrea | 23.87% | 19.79% |
| Chad | 22.91% | 16.49% |
| Liberia | 18.93% | 17.39% |
| Somalia | 14.67% | 5.84% |
| Burkina Faso | 14.05% | 25.50% |
| Bhutan | 13.67% | 25.13% |
| Sudan | 13.18% | 8.78% |
| Cabo Verde | 13.06% | 17.26% |
Use for other countries
U.S. tourist visas that are valid for further travel are accepted as substitute visas for national visas in the following territories:
- Albania – 90 days
- Antigua and Barbuda – 30 days; USD 100 visa waiver fee applies
- Argentina – 90 days; 71 countries
- Belize — 30 days; USD 50 visa waiver fee applies.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina — 30 days
- Canada — up to 6 months; nationals of certain countries who hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa may apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for travel to Canada by air.
- Chile — 90 days; for nationals of China only.
- Colombia — 90 days; for nationals of China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Costa Rica — 30 days or less if the visa is about to expire; must hold a multiple-entry visa.
- Dominican Republic — 90 days;
- El Salvador — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
- Georgia — 90 days within any 180-day period;
- Guatemala — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
- Honduras — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
- Jamaica — 30 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
- Kosovo — 15 days;
- Mexico — 180 days;[131][132]
- Montenegro — 30 days;
- Morocco — certain nationalities can obtain an electronic Moroccan visa if holding a valid U.S. visa.