New US Visa Design with Enhanced Security to Roll Out This Summer

The US is finally set to roll out its new visa design this summer, complete with enhanced security features. This comes after a delay from the initial rollout planned for 2022.

The most noticeable change will be the visa’s image. Instead of Abraham Lincoln gazing out, the new design will prominently feature San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge. But the update goes beyond aesthetics.

The new visa sticker incorporates advanced security features like hidden text visible only under special light, raised printing that feels smooth to the touch, and multiple ultraviolet elements. These features are designed to make counterfeiting and tampering significantly more difficult.

The transition to the new design will be gradual. US embassies and consulates will begin issuing the new visas once they’ve used up their stock of the older Lincoln design. Travelers can expect to see the new Bridge Visa in their passports sometime this summer, but there’s no specific timeline for when all consulates will switch over.

Importantly, both the old and new visas will remain valid until their expiration date. So, if you currently hold a US visa, you don’t need to take any action. You can continue using your existing visa until it expires. There’s no need to apply for a replacement with the new design unless your current visa reaches its expiration date.

A State Department spokesperson offered further details to NepYork.com on the upcoming changes.

“The U.S. Department of State remains committed to issuing secure visas that facilitate international travel and strengthen border security,” he said.

He continued, outlining the rollout plan: “The U.S. Government plans to begin issuing the redesigned Bridge Visa foil in Summer 2024.  The Department of State will issue the new Bridge Visa foil and Lincoln Visa foil concurrently, depending on stock available at each embassy or consulate.  Travelers can expect to see the new Bridge Visa foil in their passports as early as this summer. Our overseas embassies and consulates will first finish their stocks of current visa foils before beginning to print new Bridge Visa foils.”

The updated Bridge Visa foil incorporates a variety of enhanced security features, as the spokesperson explained: “The updated Bridge Visa foil incorporates enhanced security features including intaglio microtext, blind embossing in the machine-readable zone, multicolored ultraviolet fibers, several ultraviolet images, and an ultraviolet serial number.”