Additional Administration Processing : HIV

Under United States visa law people who are HIV-positive are required to apply for a special visa to travel to the United States.

Applying for the visa

When applying for a visa you are required to submit with your application the following additional documents:

• A completed VCU1 form (PDF 64Kb)
• A letter from your physician addressing:
• your current state of health,
• the likelihood of need for case or hospitalization during your stay in the U.S.;
• your CD4 level and viral load;
• the risk to United States public health and the risk of spread of infection;
• evidence of health insurance that will fully cover the cost of any medical treatment incurred in the U.S.;
• that you will be carrying an adequate supply for antiretroviral drugs for your anticipated stay in the U.S.;
• If you suffer from hemophilia, a statement should be included stating that you will be carrying, and can administer an adequate supply of Factor VIII;
• A letter outlining the purpose of the trip, anticipated arrival date in the United States, the date by which you need to confirm travel arrangements, and anticipated length of stay in the United States;
• Evidence of health insurance that will fully cover the cost of any necessary medication and medical treatment incurred in the United States.
• Completed form DS-5521 (PDF, 1 page)

Note: : B-1/B-2 visa applicants seeking to enter the U.S. for less than 30 days may not require a waiver of ineligibility in order to travel. In such cases, the application will take 3 - 5 workdays to process. Further information will be provided to you on the day of the interview. In all other cases, visa processing is approximately 2 - 3 weeks. Therefore, applicants should apply for visas well before the anticipated date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

Reminder:Applicants should apply for visas well before the anticipated date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

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