Nonimmigrant Visas

Do I Need a Visa?

• Hong Kong Resident
  
  Hong Kong residents holding Hong Kong SAR or British National (Overseas) passports, or Hong Kong SAR Documents of Identity for Visa Purposes require a visa to visit the United States. Click here to see how to apply for a visa.

• Macau Resident
  
  Residents of Macau holding Portuguese passports do not require a visa to travel to the United States if their passport is machine-readable. Click here for more information. However, visas are required for those who hold Macau SAR passports and Macau SAR Travel Permits. Click here to see how to apply for a visa.
  
  Please note: When traveling to Hong Kong for a visa interview, please use your Macau ID card at immigration checkpoints. When you submit your passport during the visa interview, we will not be able to return the passport the same day.

• Visa Waiver Program
  
  Citizens of designated countries, including British citizens with right-of-abode, may apply for entry to the United States without a visa for periods of less than 90 days for business or holiday travel with no possibility of an extension. Visitors may arrive at sea or air borders of the United States aboard a participating commercial carrier. Click here for more information.

• Canadian Citizens, Canadian Landed Immigrants and British Subjects in Bermuda
  
  In general, Canadian passport holders may apply for but do not require a visa to enter the United States, including temporary worker (H1B and L visas) or student/exchange categories (F, J and M visas), although the appropriate approvals must still be obtained in advance (e.g. I-797 petitions for H1B and L visas, I-20 and SEVIS record for F and M visas, and DS-2019 for J visas). A visa is required however, for Canadian citizens seeking to enter under "E" classification as treaty traders or investors. Canadian citizens must have a passport to travel to the United States from any country or region outside the Western Hemisphere, including Hong Kong.
  
  A Federal Register rule published on January 31, 2003 amends the Department of State's regulation that currently allows certain permanent residents of Canada and Bermuda who share a common nationality with nationals of Canada or with British subjects in Bermuda to enter the United States without a passport or visa. Now, Canadian Landed Immigrants, including BNO and Hong Kong SAR passport holders, will need a valid passport and visa to enter the United States. There is no change to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) at this time. Canadian Landed Immigrants holding passports from countries participating in VWP will require a valid passport but not a U.S. visa.

• Other Countries
  
  If you are a citizen of another country, you may need a visa to visit the United States. Click here to see how to apply for a visa.

Even if you are not required to have a visa in order to travel to the United States, you may apply for one if you wish.

 

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Last modified: August 14, 2008