Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel
The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked.
The U.S. Department of State has increased certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees. These fee increases are effective June 17, 2023.
- The application fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s), and other non-petition based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas, has increased from USD160 to USD185.
- The application fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) has increased from USD190 to USD205.
- The application fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) has increased from USD205 to USD315.
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
See our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.
Nonimmigrant Visas
For travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.
Immigrant Visas
For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States.
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.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.).
Contact Us
All visa interviews at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong are handled on an appointment basis only. Individuals seeking general information about U.S. visas or needing to schedule a visa appointment should visit Apply for a U.S. visa.
Telephone: English, Cantonese and Mandarin speaking customer service agents are ready to assist you 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The call center is closed weekends and Hong Kong holidays, as observed by the U.S. Consulate.
You may call 852 5808 4666 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) from Hong Kong & Macau.
You may call 1-703-665-1986 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) if you are in the United States.
Email: For general information about visas and routine inquiries, please write to support-hongkong@ustraveldocs.com.
For a specific case in which the applicant has been interviewed by a consular officer, A and G visa type, or concerning an immigrant visa case, please use Visa Inquiry Form.
Customer Service Statement
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:
- We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
- We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
- We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
- We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
- We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
- We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
- We will provide information on non-immigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on https://www.state.gov/.
- We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.
Furthermore, if you are a:
- Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
- Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
- Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:
- Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
- Complete your application fully and accurately.
- Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
- Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
