Language
An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
We will continue to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services as resources and local conditions allow. Visa appointments remain limited.
Last Updated: May 30, 2023
Document Submission to KCC suspended for DV-2024 and onward.
Effective for the Diversity Visa (DV) program for fiscal year 2024 (DV-2024) and onward, selectees only need to submit to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) the DS-260 immigrant visa application form for themselves and any accompanying family members. Once a DS-260 is received from the selectee, KCC will review it for completeness and process the data contained in both the application and the entry, after which that case will be eligible to be scheduled for a visa interview if the selectee’s visa case number is current as reflected in the Visa Bulletin. The Department recently completed a review of the document review process, in consultation with overseas posts, which show that by eliminating this step, KCC can increase the number of DV appointments scheduled during the earlier months of the program year.
Do not submit to the KCC any other required supporting documents. Rather, all supporting documents for DV-2024 selectees will be collected by the embassy or consulate where the visa application is made. U.S. law requires all immigrant visa applicants provide supporting documents necessary to establish eligibility for a visa. The list of documents is available here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html.
Failure to provide all required supporting documents to the embassy or consulate will prevent applicants from establishing their eligibility for the visa and will result in refusal of the visa application. However, a refusal for lack of documents can be overcome by timely providing any missing documents to the consular section. We strongly encourage applicants to be prepared to demonstrate eligibility for the visa at the time of interview by submitting in advance all required documents, which differ by country.
Selection to participate in the Diversity Visa program is not a guarantee of a visa or an interview, and each program year ends with some selectees receiving neither.
The Diversity Visa (DV) program awards up to 55,000 immigrant visas per year and allows those from countries with low immigration rates to the United States, to enter for a chance to apply for a U.S immigrant visa. Since its launch in 1990, the program has continued the ongoing policy priority to promote and maintain diversity in the United States. This year, the Department of State is on track to reach the annual DV issuance limit for 2023 before the end of the fiscal year. As of September 5, 2023, there have been more than 54,000 issuances/adjustments of status worldwide out of the 54,833 DVs available for FY 2023. Additionally, under U.S. immigration law no single country can receive more than seven percent of the available DVs in any one fiscal year. As we are approaching these caps in some countries, such as Algeria and Nepal, it may become necessary to take steps to avoid exceeding the country-specific numerical limits. This includes potentially canceling visa interview appointments.
Update: As of September 7, 2023, the Department of State has issued all available DVs for the 2023 DV Program.
We acknowledge that the early conclusion of the 2023 program may be disappointing to selectees who were unable to receive a visa. The 2025 Diversity Visa program entry period will open in early October of this year, and we encourage all who are eligible to apply. As previously stated in the DV-2023 program instructions, the DV program is limited to the issuance of approximately 55,000 visas each fiscal year. Selection does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a visa interview or a visa. Selection merely means the person may be eligible to participate in the DV program and may potentially apply for a visa, but it is not a guarantee. Due to the probability that some of the first 55,000 persons selected will not qualify for visas or ultimately choose not to participate in the program, more individuals are selected to participate in the program each year than the number of visas which are available. This is done to ensure we are able to issue the maximum number of visas available under the DV program in any given year. The Department of State remains committed to facilitating travel for DV recipients and recognizes the important contributions these individuals bring to our communities.
All receipts for payment of Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fees issued before October 1, 2022, will expire September 30, 2023. There will be no extensions of fee validity. Applicants must schedule an appointment or submit an interview waiver application before September 30, 2023 to avoid paying a new fee. Please note that the interview itself does not need to take place before September 30, 2023, but an interview appointment needs to be made in the system, even if it is scheduled months into the future. Furthermore, applicants using MRV fees paid before October 1, 2022 to book an appointment are cautioned not to attempt to change their appointment dates on or after October 1, 2023. Doing so will result in forfeiture of both the original appointment slot and the MRV fee receipt. The applicant will be required to pay a new fee and submit a new application package.
Immigrant Visas: U.S. Embassy Tirana has resumed limited immigrant visa services for all categories of immigrant visas according to the Department’s prioritization framework. For more information, please visit: https://al.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/
Please note that appointment availability will continue to be very limited due to resource constraints and the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We appreciate your patience. Immigrant visa applicants will be contacted directly once their case has been scheduled for an interview.
A citizen of a foreign country seeking to enter the United States must first obtain a US visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.
Some 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). Information on the Visa Waiver Program can be found on the Visa Waiver Program page of the DHS website.
The visa section of this website is about US visas for foreign nationals traveling to the United States
Navigate to Travel.State.gov for more information!
Note: US citizens do not need a US visa to travel to the United States. When planning a trip abroad, a US citizen may need a visa issued by the consulate or embassy of the country they wish to visit.
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 US Citizenship and Immigration Services page for the appropriate forms. If you are not sure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Guide/Helper below.
Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-al/niv
International Organizations and NATO Diplomats and OfficialsInternational Organizations and NATO
To apply for a G or NATO visa, you and any accompanying family members should each complete an online visa application form: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv Your government or international organization should then deliver to the U.S. Embassy your passport, one 5cm X 5cm color photo, and a diplomatic note/recognized international organization visa request letter.
To qualify for a diplomatic (A-1 or A-2 class) visa, you must be traveling to the United States on behalf of your national government to engage in official activities for that government. The only exception is for very senior officials, such as the presidents and prime ministers, who are entitled to diplomatic visas regardless of their purpose of travel.
To apply for an immediate relative or family preference immigrant visas, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov. Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the National Visa Center (NVC), along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.
To apply for a fiancée visa, follow the steps on the Fiancé(e) Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov.
There is a limited period of time during which you can register for the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program during each fiscal year. Each year, the Department of State publishes detailed instructions for entering the DV Program. These instructions include the dates of the registration period during which you will be able to enter.
The steps to becoming a Green Card holder (permanent resident) vary by category and depend on whether you currently live inside or outside the United States.
A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence.
oarding foil may be considered by the airline as evidence of your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States. It serves only to give notice to the air-carrier that the U.S. Government does not intend to issue a penalty under U.S. law (INA 273(b)).
If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) with a green card you may lose your LPR status by voluntarily abandoning it.
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.
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.
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.
A citizen of a foreign country seeking to enter the United States must first obtain a US visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.
Some 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). Information on the Visa Waiver Program can be found on the Visa Waiver Program page of the DHS website.
The visa section of this website is about US visas for foreign nationals traveling to the United States
Navigate to Travel.State.gov for more information!
Note: US citizens do not need a US visa to travel to the United States. When planning a trip abroad, a US citizen may need a visa issued by the consulate or embassy of the country they wish to visit.
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 US Citizenship and Immigration Services page for the appropriate forms. If you are not sure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Guide/Helper below.
A citizen of a foreign country seeking to enter the United States must first obtain a US visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.
Some 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). Information on the Visa Waiver Program can be found on the Visa Waiver Program page of the DHS website.
The visa section of this website is about US visas for foreign nationals traveling to the United States
Navigate to Travel.State.gov for more information!
Note: US citizens do not need a US visa to travel to the United States. When planning a trip abroad, a US citizen may need a visa issued by the consulate or embassy of the country they wish to visit.
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 US Citizenship and Immigration Services page for the appropriate forms. If you are not sure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Guide/Helper below.
Please call: +355 4224 7285
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +355 4224 7285
Outside of Albania: +355 4224 7285
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance