A document issued by an official of the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, authorizing a foreign national to present himself at a US immigration inspections point to request admission. Visas may be issued in a variety of nonimmigrant or immigration classifications (see Key Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications Chart and Key Immigrant Visa Classifications Chart).

Visas allow foreign nationals to travel to the US for particular purposes, including:

Visas may only be used while they are valid. They are issued for a duration determined by both:

Some visas need advance US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval before they can be issued. Visas may expire or be cancelled. For more information, see:

See also Bureau of Consular Affairs: U.S. Visas.