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Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State paused all immigrant visa issuances to nationals of countries, including Bahamas and Haiti, whose immigrants have a high rate of collecting public assistance at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer. Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of impacted countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department of State will continue to schedule consular appointments for visa interviews. Read more about the immigrant visa processing updates for nationalities at high risk of public benefits reliance.
Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality. Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. For more information, visit travel.state.gov.
All individuals applying for an A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H1-B, H-3, H-4 dependent of H-1B and H-3, F, M, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, or U nonimmigrant visa are instructed to adjust the privacy setting on all social media accounts to “public” or “open” to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law. More information is available at travel.state.gov.
Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. Applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov.
Effective immediately, the Department of State has paused all visa issuances to diversity immigrant visa applicants. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov here.
Bahamian travelers departing Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau by air may apply for admission without a visa if they meet the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance requirements. However, CBP has the final authority to determine eligibility to enter the United States. Visa-free travel is not available to Bahamian citizens entering the United States from any other international border crossing, those entering via boat, those only transiting the United States, nor individuals traveling to the United States to embark on a cruise.
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 or nationality.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States, but when planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.
For nonimmigrant visas, you can go directly to the online application for the DS-160; or for immigrant visas, directly to the USCIS site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure, please use the Visa Wizard below to help you determine your visa type.
Contact the Consular Section using our Visas Navigator, or visit our Important Visa Information page for more visa-related guidance and a list of prohibited items. Select one of the options below:

Check your receipt! If you paid your visa application fee before October 1, 2022, and have not scheduled an interview yet, book now!
Visa applicants typically have 365 days from the date of payment to schedule an appointment before the payment expires. Certain extensions were granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, but these extensions expire September 30. If you paid your fee prior to October 1, 2022, you must schedule an interview (or submit your interview waiver application, if you are eligible) before September 30, 2023. If you don’t, you may have to pay the fee again!
NOTE: The interview itself does NOT need to take place before September 30, 2023, but an appointment must be scheduled in the system, even if it is for months into the future.
The pamphlet linked below informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.
The pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Click on the link below to review the options and follow the instructions for the scenario that applies to you.
For K-1/K-2 visas, the U.S. citizen sponsor must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. See Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) for information on where to file the petition. Further information is available on the USCIS website under Fiancé(e) Visas. Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad.
Applicants are encouraged to read this in entirety before scheduling your visa interview at Embassy Nassau. The current waiting time for Third Country National applicants is 126 days.
View interview waiver instructions, required documentation and qualifications information.
Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers
The pamphlet linked below informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.
Rights and Protections for Immigrant Visa Applicants
The pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Returning Resident–Lost, Stolen, or Expired Green Card
Click on the link below to review the options and follow the instructions for the scenario that applies to you.
For K-1/K-2 visas, the U.S. citizen sponsor must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. See Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) for information on where to file the petition. Further information is available on the USCIS website under Fiancé(e) Visas. Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad.
Third Country Nationals (TCN's)
Applicants are encouraged to read this in entirety before scheduling your visa interview at Embassy Nassau. The current waiting time for Third Country National applicants is 126 days.
Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants – Interview Waived
View interview waiver instructions, required documentation and qualifications information.
Our goal is to inspire people from around the world to discover all the exciting travel possibilities in the United States.

Browse 180 pages packed with beautiful photography, detailed location descriptions and real travel stories.

No matter your destination or travel style, create a personalized, day-by-day itinerary that’s just right for you.

Watch our videos to learn about the diverse destinations and exciting travel experiences, all within your reach.
As your official guide, we’ll show you a diverse range of unique experiences that are all within your reach.
Official Visit the USA Website
Our goal is to inspire people from around the world to discover all the exciting travel possibilities in the United States.

Browse 180 pages packed with beautiful photography, detailed location descriptions and real travel stories.

No matter your destination or travel style, create a personalized, day-by-day itinerary that’s just right for you.

Watch our videos to learn about the diverse destinations and exciting travel experiences, all within your reach.
As your official guide, we’ll show you a diverse range of unique experiences that are all within your reach.
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