Homeland1
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today the publication of a final rule that will streamline the issuance of certain short-term non-immigrant visas to people infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who are otherwise qualified to enter the United States.
The new regulation gives State Department overseas officers the authority to grant temporary, non-immigrant visas to otherwise eligible applicants who are HIV-positive and meet certain requirements.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff praised the regulation for offering an “additional avenue” for temporary admission, while at the same time maintaining border security.
“This regulation significantly improves the opportunities for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. who were previously inadmissible because of an HIV infection,” he said.
The HIV Waiver Final Rule will apply to foreigners who are HIV-positive and seek to enter the United States as visitors for up to 30 days; these individuals still must meet all of the other normal criteria for the granting of a U.S. visa.
Visas issued under this final rule will not publicly identify any traveler as HIV-positive.