Holy See
United States
United States visa for citizens of the Holy See
Entry requirement
The United States requires citizens of the Holy See to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- United States visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which United States visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
- Fee
- US$185
- Processing time
- Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed
All visa types for the United States
The United States’ tourist visa costs US$185 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Processing time, as the United States states it: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors.
Where citizens of the Holy See apply for a visa for the United States
United States has no embassy or consulate in Holy See on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
- Embassy of the United States in Rome3 km
Via Vittorio Veneto 119/a, 00187 Roma
- Embassy of the United States in Ljubljana490 km
Prešernova cesta 31, Ljubljana
- Embassy of the United States in Zagreb513 km
Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb
Measured from Vatican City, US embassies and consulates are closest in Rome, Italy (3 km), Ljubljana, Slovenia (490 km) and Zagreb, Croatia (513 km). Which post accepts applications from residents of the Holy See is decided by the United States, so confirm it with the mission or the official visa portal before booking an appointment.
US visas issued to citizens of the Holy See
| Visas issued | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (B) | 7 | 5 |
| Transit and crew (C, D) | 0 | 1 |
| Diplomatic and official (A, G) | 16 | 17 |
| Total | 23 | 23 |
| B visa refusal rate (adjusted) | 0.0% | 0.0% |
In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 23 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of the Holy See, the 202nd highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Diplomatic and official visas (A, G) made up 74%, visitor visas 22% and transit and crew visas 4%. The total was about the same in fiscal year 2024.
From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of the Holy See received 12, about as many as in the same months a year earlier.
For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 0.0% for citizens of the Holy See in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 0.0%). The adjusted rate counts a refusal that was later overcome, for example with further documents, as an issuance. A rate below 3% is one of the conditions for a country to join the Visa Waiver Program.
These figures count visas issued to citizens of the Holy See anywhere in the world, not only at the US missions in the Holy See.
Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made
US citizens travelling to the Holy See
United StatesHoly See Visa-free, 90 days Holy See visa for citizens of the United States
Travel advice for the United States
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from the Holy See to the United States, the published travel advice reads as follows: the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to the United States (updated 30 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the United States (updated 30 October 2026).
Good to know
How long citizens of the Holy See can stay in the United States
How long citizens of the Holy See may stay in the United States is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How citizens of the Holy See apply
The United States has no embassy or career consulate in the Holy See. Citizens of the Holy See apply through a mission of the United States accredited to the Holy See from abroad; the official visa portal of the United States names the right place.
The United States’ neighbours for citizens of the Holy See
Mexico requires citizens of the Holy See to obtain a visa in advance.
US citizens travelling to the Holy See
US citizens can visit the Holy See without a visa for up to 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do citizens of the Holy See need a visa for the United States?
The United States requires citizens of the Holy See to hold a visa issued in advance.
Is there an embassy of the United States in the Holy See?
No. The United States has no embassy in the Holy See. The nearest US embassy is in Rome, Italy, 3 km from Vatican City.
How much does the United States tourist visa cost?
The United States’ official sources give a standard fee of US$185 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed.
Do US citizens need a visa for the Holy See?
US citizens can visit the Holy See without a visa for up to 90 days.
Can citizens of the Holy See enter the United States visa-free?
No; citizens of the Holy See need a visa for the United States obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.