The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 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.Under this new regulation, Department of State consular officers overseas will now have the authority to grant temporary, non-immigrant visas to otherwise eligible applicants who are HIV-positive and meet certain requirements.“This regulation significantly improves the opportunities for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. who were previously inadmissible because of an HIV infection,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. 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.

Previously, individuals who are HIV-positive were prohibited from receiving a visa to visit the United States at all without an individual waiver.Read the full press release from Dept. Homeland Security

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Author: NEW GAY TRAVEL GUIDE