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U.S. Visa Services
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NOTICE

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.

 

Routine Visa Services Update Effective August 1, 2026

Effective August 1, 2026, the Department of State will realign and consolidate visa services in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Routine visa services will cease to be offered at the following U.S. diplomatic posts: Abuja, Antananarivo, Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, and Windhoek.  Visa services previously offered at these posts will be consolidated within a smaller number of select regional visa hubs. From August 1, 2026 onwards, nationals and residents of countries where the aforementioned posts are located who wish to apply for a visa must schedule an appointment and pay the required visa fee at the appropriate designated regional hub.

If you have a scheduled interview at one of these locations, please monitor your email for specific guidance about your application.  For more information, go to Realignment of U.S. Visa Services in Africa to Regional Hubs.

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Retirement of OuagaIV@state.gov and OuagaNIV@state.gov Email Accounts

Starting September 2, 2025, U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou will phase out OuagaNIV/IV emails. Use ConsularOuaga@state.gov for all visa inquiries. Old accounts close September 30, 2025.

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What is a Visa?

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.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States.

Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.

Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. 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.

What Type of Visa Do You Need?

For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly to the online application (form DS-160). For immigrant visas,  which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms.  If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. 

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NONIMMIGRANT VISAS

APPLY FOR A NONIMMIGRANT VISA

To schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant visa, create an account with AVITS, our visa services provider.

For assistance with making your visa appointment, please contact customer service:

Do not contact the Embassy.

Use the Visa Navigator for nonimmigrant visas related matters.

IMMIGRANT VISAS

Immigrant visas to the United States are processed for citizens and residents of Burkina Faso at the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou.

To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa. The sponsor begins the process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen’s behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  You may wish to review our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to learn about the different types of immigrant visas to the United States, including our Diversity Visa Program.  Then, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process, or on the Diversity Visa Process, on usvisas.state.gov to begin applying for an immigrant visa.

Once USCIS has approved your petition and you have completed pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC), or if you have been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and completed processing with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), review the instructions given to you by the NVC or the KCC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.

Use the Visa Navigator for immigrant visas related matters.

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Study & Exchange

Business

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Our Location
The map below shows where we provide consular services.

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.

Select Your Pamphlet

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.

Select Your Pamphlet

Other Resources

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Fraud Prevention

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Travel.State.gov

Schedule of Fees for Consular Services – Department of State and Foreign Service

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