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U.S. Visa Services
Visit the United States
Overview
Wizard
Visa Types
Diplomats and Officials
Immigrant Visas
Lawful Permanent Residents
Additional Information
Visit the U.S.A.

U.S. Consular Services in Australia

Consular services in Australia are offered by the U.S. Consulates in Melbourne, Perth & Sydney. The U.S. Embassy in Canberra does not process visa applications. Immigrant Visas are only processed by the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

Learn More about Consular Services

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, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program.  The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.  If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.

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

Do You Already Know What Type of Visa You Need?

For nonimmigrant visas, you can go directly to the online application for the DS-160; or for immigrant visas, directly to the USCIS site for the relevant forms.  If you are unsure, please use the Visa Wizard below to help you determine your visa type.

View Local Information

Visa Types

Tourism & Visit

Business

Employment

Study & Exchange

Immigrate

Other Types of Visas

Government Sponsored J1 Visa

Australian Diplomats and Officials

All officials traveling on behalf of the Australian federal government require visas to transit or enter the United States.  You are not required to appear for an in-person interview, but you are required to submit an application to our office via VisaLink.

Visalink

Foreign Government Representatives

All officials traveling on behalf of their federal government require particular visas to transit or enter the United States

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International Organization Employees

To receive a G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa, you must be traveling to attend meetings at, visit, or work at a designated international organization. If you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa

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Locally Engaged Staff

Applicants working at an Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. as Locally Engaged Staff require visas to enter the United States. You are not required to appear for an in-person interview, but you are required to submit an application to our office.

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Family-Based Immigration

Petitioners residing in Australia must file their Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative , with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless they believe that their situation qualifies as an emergency may request an exemption to allow a U.S. Consulate General in Australia to accept the filing

Learn more about Family-Based Immigration

Fiancé(e) Visas

The K-1 visa permits a foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry their U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of arrival.

Learn more about Fiancé(e) Visas

Employment-Based, Diversity, and Other Immigrant Visas

Complete information on applying for an immigrant visa, including employment-based immigration and diversity visas

Learn more about Other Immigrant Visas

Returning Resident Visas (SB-1)

A U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit must obtain a new immigrant visa to re-enter the United States and resume permanent residence.

Learn more about Returning Resident Visas

Maintaining Permanent Residence

U.S. Immigration law presumes that a person admitted to the United States as an immigrant will live in the United States permanently. Remaining outside the United States for more than 12 months may result in a loss of lawful permanent resident status.

Learn more about Permanent Resident Status

Travel with a Green Card

Review the “Boarding of Lawful Permanent Residents” file on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website. If you do not fall under any of the categories listed, you may be required to apply for a Carrier Document.

Learn more about CBP's Current Policy

Carrier Document

If you are not in possession of a valid Green Card to facilitate your travel, you may need to submit an Application for a Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)

Learn more about a Carrier document

Abandoning your status

Use Form I-407 to let USCIS know you are voluntarily abandoning your status as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States. USCIS will update your records to show you are no longer an LPR.

Learn more about Abandoning Lawful Permanent

Child born outside the U.S.

Under U.S. immigration regulations, a child born abroad to Lawful Permanent Residents or Immigrant Visa Holders, you may print and present the following letter to airline staff.

Letter for Airline Staff (PDF 279 KB)

Fingerprinting Services

Individuals requiring a U.S. Criminal History Check are required to apply to the FBI directly. Fingerprint services are only available for certain applicants

Learn more about Fingerprinting Services
Our Locations

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

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Travel.State.gov

Fraud Prevention Warning

Nonimmigrant Visa FAQs

Immigrant Visa FAQs

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.

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About Visit the USA

Free Travel Guide

Browse 180 pages packed with beautiful photography, detailed location descriptions and real travel stories.

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Create Your Custom Trip

No matter your destination or travel style, create a personalized, day-by-day itinerary that’s just right for you.

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View U.S. Travel Videos

Watch our videos to learn about the diverse destinations and exciting travel experiences, all within your reach.

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Trending Experiences

As your official guide, we’ll show you a diverse range of unique experiences that are all within your reach.

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