The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is developing the capability to issue a digital visa authorization (DVA) instead of the traditional visa printed and placed in applicants’ passports. The U.S. Embassy in Dublin is conducting a limited DVA proof of concept with a small number of K-1 (fiancé(e)) visas.

If this initial proof of concept is successful, we envisage extending the DVA to other visa classes and additional posts in the future.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Document Validation program will digitally notify airlines when a traveler has valid travel credentials, including a DVA.

U.S. Embassy Dublin is an ideal location to conduct this initial DVA proof of concept thanks to our historically strong partnership with the Irish government, the ingenuity of the consular section at our embassy there, the presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance procedures at Dublin Airport, and the participation of airlines flying out of Dublin directly to the United States who are already enrolled in CBP’s Document Validation program.

The Department of State is conducting this proof of concept with K-1 visas as they are single-entry (single use) visas and will only be issued to travelers who plan to travel directly to the United States from Dublin.

We will provide additional information on the DVA program as it is further developed.