Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Yemen

Yemen
Republic of Yemen

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 36 Months
A-2 None Multiple 12 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-2 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-1 None Multiple 12 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 12 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 12 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 12 Months
F-1 None Multiple 12 Months
F-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-1 None Multiple 12 Months
G-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-3 None Multiple 12 Months
G-4 None Multiple 12 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-1C $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-2A $15.00 N/A N/A 3
H-2B $15.00 N/A N/A 3
H-2R $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-3 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
H-4 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
I None Multiple 12 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 12 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 12 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months
L-2 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
O-2 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
O-3 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-1 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-2 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-3 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
P-4 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months 3
Q-1 6 $15.00 Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months
R-2 $15.00 Multiple 12 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

General Issuing Authority Information:

  • Yemen does not yet have an established system of recording vital statistics.  Most Yemenis do not register births, marriages, divorces, or deaths when they occur.  To satisfy the need for civil documents for immigration and other purposes, Yemenis frequently prepare “court judgments.”  These can be issued at any time by any district court within the country.  Information in these documents is normally based on the testimony of an informant or his proxy, and witnesses who may or may not have direct knowledge of the events about which they are testifying.  The court makes no attempt to independently verify the testimony of informants and witnesses.  Therefore, court judgments should be given no more weight than affidavits if presented in support of a relationship claim.
  • Until recently, there was little standardization on the size and color of civil documents, and it common to see older birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates printed on solid green, orange, or cream paper or cards of different sizes.  Newer certificates are 5 x 8 inches or 8 x 8 inches in size and are printed on green, red, pink, and cream-colored cards.  The newer certificates also include security features such as embedded fibers, UV images, and offset printing.  However, civil documents for births, marriages, divorces, or deaths are issued at any time after the event based on information provided to the civil registry office by the person requesting the document. Therefore, they cannot be considered any more reliable than court judgments.
  • Due to the current conflict in Yemen, several competing authorities are issuing documents and passports in different areas of the country.  Areas under Houthi control have issued Yemeni passport books since at least 2016, however they lack the standardization and security features of normal Yemeni passports.  As of 2020, several European countries have refused to accept Yemeni passports issued from January 1, 2016 in areas of Houthi control.

 

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: 300 Yemeni Rials

Document Name: Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of the Interior, Civil Status Authority and Civil Registry

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The current document is a 5 x 8 inch green, red, pink, and cream colored card featuring embedded fibers, UV images, and offset printing.  Older documents lack standardization.  Varieties include solid-color green, orange, or cream 5 x 8 inch cards with no discernable security features.  In addition, older documents may also be printed on approximately A3 or A4 size paper of various colors.  Documents may include payment stamps with a wet seal on top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of Country Registry

Registration Criteria: Payment of fees

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at Civil Registry

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: There are no exceptions

Comments: Most Yemenis do not register births, marriages, divorces, or deaths when they occur.  Certificates are issued at any time after the event on the basis of information provided to the civil registry office by the person requesting the document. 

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: 120 Yemeni Rials

Document Name: Copy of Death Record

Issuing Authority: Ministry of the Interior, Civil Status Authority and Civil Registry

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The current document is a 5 x 8 inch green, red, pink, and cream colored card featuring embedded fibers, UV images, and offset printing.  Older documents lack standardization.  Varieties include solid-color green, orange, or cream 5 x 8 inch cards with no discernable security features.  In addition, older documents may also be printed on approximately A3 or A4 size paper of various colors.  Documents may include payment stamps with a wet seal on top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of Country Registry

Registration Criteria: Payment of Fees

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at Civil Registry

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: There are no exceptions

Comments: Most Yemenis do not register births, marriages, divorces, or deaths when they occur.  Certificates are issued at any time after the event on the basis of information provided to the civil registry office by the person requesting the document.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: 180 Yemeni Rials

Document Name: Marriage Registration Document

Issuing Authority: Ministry of the Interior, Civil Status Authority and Civil Registry

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The current document is an 8 x 8 inch green, red, pink, and cream colored card featuring embedded fibers, UV images, and offset printing.  Older documents lack standardization.  Varieties include solid-color green, orange, or cream 5 x 8 inch or 8 x 8 inch cards with no discernable security features.  In addition, older documents may also be printed on approximately A3 or A4 size paper of various colors.  Documents may include payment stamps with a wet seal on top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of Country Registry

Registration Criteria: Payment of Fees

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at Civil Registry

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: There are no exceptions

Comments: Most Yemenis do not register births, marriages, divorces, or deaths when they occur.  Certificates are issued at any time after the event on the basis of information provided to the civil registry office by the person requesting the document. 

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: 180 Yemeni Rials

Document Name: Divorce Registration Document

Issuing Authority: Ministry of the Interior, Civil Status Authority and Civil Registry

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The current document is an 8 x 8 inch green, red, pink, and cream colored card featuring embedded fibers, UV images, and offset printing.  Older documents lack standardization.  Varieties include solid-color green, orange, or cream 5 x 8 inch or 8 x 8 inch cards with no discernable security features.  In addition, older documents may also be printed on approximately A3 or A4 size paper of various colors.  Documents may include payment stamps with a wet seal on top.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of Country Registry

Registration Criteria: Payment of Fees.  There does not appear to be any restriction on where the divorce can take place, and the wife does not need to be present of provide approval for the divorce.

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at Civil Registry

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: There are no exceptions

Comments: Most Yemenis do not register births, marriages, divorces, or deaths when they occur.  Certificates are issued at any time after the event based on information provided to the civil registry office by the person requesting the document.

 

Adoption Certificates

Unavailable

Comments:  There are no provisions for adoption under Sharia Law in Yemen.

Identity Card

Available

Fees: 10,000 Yemeni Rials (According to internet, 965 Yemeni Rials)

Document Name: National Identity Card

Issuing Authority:  Ministry of the Interior, Civil Status Authority and Civil Registry

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Approximately 2 3/8 x 5/8 inch card featuring name, date of birth, picture, and blood type

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Director of Country Registry

Registration Criteria:  Payment of fees

Procedure for Obtaining:  Apply at Civil Registry

Certified Copies Available: Available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: No

Comments: Yemen does not yet have an established system of recording vital statistics. 

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available

Fees: 2,000 Yemeni Rials

Document Name: Criminal Status Sheet

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior, Police and Security Sector, General Administration of Criminal Evidences

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Approximately A3 size document featuring name, fingerprints, and passport/personal ID information.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: General Manager of Criminal Evidences; Chief of Personality Investigation Section

Registration Criteria: Payment of Fees.  There does not seem to be any restrictions on where application for police certificates can take place.

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply in person at General Administration of Criminal Evidences

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: Criminal background checks available from Yemeni Embassies and Missions Abroad.  These documents consist of a statement by a Yemeni embassy official that the person in question does not have a criminal record.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions

Comments: There does not appear to be a national database of criminal activity for Yemen. As there is no central database, these certificates are unreliable and are not required for Immigrant Visa processing.

 

Court/Prison Records

Unavailable

Military Records

Unavailable

 

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular, Diplomatic, Special

Fees: $100

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority:  Ministry of the Interior, Immigration, Passports, and Naturalization Authority or by Diplomatic Missions and Consulates of the Republic accredited abroad.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Regular: Dark Blue Synthetic/Polymer; Diplomatic/Special: Dark Red Synthetic/Polymer

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Unknown

Registration Criteria:  Payment of fees.  Per Yemeni Embassy in the United States, national ID card or American Green Card must be presented.

Procedure for Obtaining:  Apply in person at Immigration, Passports, and Naturalization Authority or at Mission or Consulate abroad

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: No

Comments:  Passports issued by the former "Yemen Arab Republic" (YAR or North Yemen) and the "People's Democratic Republic of Yemen" (PDRY or South Yemen) are no longer valid. Visas should only be issued in "Republic of Yemen" travel documents. These have been in circulation since 1992.

Yemeni passports issued in Sana’a, Ibb, Hodeida, “Head Office,” ​Al Mahwit, Sa'dah, or Taiz prior to 2015 are acceptable for the purpose of meeting the passport requirement for visa issuance.  Yemeni passport extension stamps issued in those locations prior to 2015 are acceptable for extending the validity of a Yemeni passport.

Purported Yemeni passports issued in 2015 or later in Sana’a, Ibb, Hodeida, “Head Office​,” Al Mahwit, or Sa'dah as well as Yemeni embassies in Iran and Syria were not issued by a competent authority and are not acceptable for the purpose of meeting the passport requirement for visa issuance.  Yemeni passport extension stamps issued in those locations in 2015 or later are not acceptable for extending the validity of a Yemeni passport. Applicants presenting purported Yemeni passports or passport extension stamps issued from these locations should go to the nearest Republic of Yemen Government issuing authority or nearest Yemeni Embassy to request a new passport.  

Passports and passport extension stamps issued out of Taiz in 2015 or later may or may not have been issued by a competent authority.  These documents are reviewed by the consular officer and may be rejected at their discretion.

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: U.S. Embassy Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti
Address:  Lot 350-B Haramous, B.P. 185, Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti
Phone Number: (253) 21-45-30-00

Post Title: U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Address: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone Number: +60 3-2168-5000

Post Title:  U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt
Address:  5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt
Phone Number: (20-2) 2797 3300

Post Title:  U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Address:  P.O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693, Saudi Arabia
Phone Number:  966-11-4883800

Post Title:  U.S. Embassy Muscat, Oman
Address:  P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman
Phone Number: (968) 2464-3400

 

Visa Services

Djibouti, Malaysia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman accept both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications for Yemeni nationals.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.