During peak season, foreign visa applications will be submitted to embassies and consulates on a staggered basis prioritized by departure date. Please indicate if you need expedited service when you apply, and SIA will make every effort to accommodate your travel needs. If you have other travel prior to your departure date, please let us know so we can ensure you have your passport for other travel.
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Visa requirements listed on this website are for U.S. government officials and employees traveling on official USG business with a diplomatic, official, or service passport. Service passport holders should contact SIA’s Visa Unit for a Self-Submission letter CA-PPT-SIA-VISA-LETTERS@State.gov. Regular (tourist/blue) passport holders should consult with their bureau or agency travel specialist.
Foreign visa requirements are subject to change without notice. The Visa Unit updates this website, whenever they learn of new requirements. If you discover discrepancies or require additional information, please contact the Special Issuance Agency Visa Unit at CA-PPT-SIA-VISA-UNIT@state.gov.
NOTE: Each diplomatic, official or service passport must be signed by the bearer before an application for a visa is submitted. With very limited exceptions, applicants must be physically present in the United States to submit their applications through SIA. Individuals residing overseas should consult the Management Section of the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate for information on applying for diplomatic/official visas.
Complete our Website Issues Form for technical issues using travel.state.gov such as a broken link or missing, incorrect, or unclear information.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Personnel traveling within the next 2 weeks may consider submitting their visa application(s) directly to the foreign embassy for faster processing. Please follow the self-submission instructions on the appropriate country page.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
If you are accessing this site from a U.S. military network and you are active military or a DoD civilian employee, you must refer to DoD’s Foreign Clearance Guide for visa requirements. For additional information, please visit the DoD Passport Matters website.
OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES
Visa requests must be coordinated through your agency travel coordinator. SIA will issue Visa Request Letters to facilitate visa processing for most countries.
Visas for official/diplomatic travel to Russia (PCS/TDY), Germany (PCS/TDY), and Iraq (TDY) must be submitted directly to SIA.
