Visas

U.S. Visa Services

Visit the United States

Notice

On July 26, 2014 the U.S. Embassy suspended all embassy operations in Libya and relocated staff, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and armed conflict. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli remains closed and visa services are not available in Libya.

For assistance, please email support-Tunisia@ustraveldocs.com or call +216 31 37 81 45.

Please note there are travel restrictions for certain countries. Please visit Travel.State.Gov and read the section “Presidential Proclamations Regarding Novel Coronavirus” for more information.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant Visa applicants who are physically present in Libya and who have an approved immigrant visa petition may elect to have the petition forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia for visa processing. Once the petition is received, Embassy Tunis will contact the applicant or petitioner to schedule the immigrant visa interview.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Libyan citizens living outside of Libya may apply for nonimmigrant visas in their country of residence or at any U.S. embassy or consulate. In general, applicants residing in Libya may travel to and apply at any U.S. embassy or consulate that processes nonimmigrant visas. However, if you do not speak English or a language commonly spoken in the country where you plan to apply, you should be aware that the interviewing officers’ lack of familiarity with local conditions in your country may make it more difficult to demonstrate your qualifications for a visa.

Applicants should always check the website of the embassy or consulate at which they plan to apply for restrictions on third-country applicants, visa entry requirements, U.S. and local holidays, and other post-specific policies. Visa applicants are required to pay the visa application fee and book an appointment in advance, according to the U.S. embassy or consulate website where the applicant plans to appear for the visa application. Please see www.ustraveldocs.com for more information.

You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.

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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Additional Information

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers Rights and Protections for Immigrant Visa Applicants

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers

This pamphlet informs you of your legal rights in the United States as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.

Select Your Pamphlet

Rights and Protections for Immigrant Visa Applicants

This pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.

Select Your Pamphlet