Nonimmigrant Visas

In general, a citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States temporarily must first obtain a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.

For information regarding the new VWP/ESTA eligibility requirements, click here.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for information about travel to the United States and visa services in the UK.

With the exception of a Head of State or Government who qualifies for an A-1 visa regardless of the purpose of the visit to the United States, the type of visa required by a diplomat or other government official depends upon the reason for entering the United States.

Government officials traveling to the United States to perform non-governmental functions of a commercial nature or traveling as tourists require the appropriate H, L or B visa, or if qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program; they do not qualify for diplomatic or official visas.

The chart on this page contains many different purposes of temporary travel and the related nonimmigrant visa categories available at Travel.State.gov.