Helpful Links

On this page:


U.S. Federal Government

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Visa Policy

U.S. immigration laws are enacted by Congress to provide authority over immigration matters, including entry and exit of all travelers across the nation's borders, determining who may enter, how long they may stay, and when they must leave. The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), in Title 8 of the United States Code, provides the foundation for immigration law, along with its amendments. Additionally, more recent immigration laws have an impact on visa processing, including, as examples, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002. Learn more about U.S. immigration laws and regulations.