Bureau of Consular Affairs

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The Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) is a part of the U.S. State Department that runs consular services, including issuing U.S. passports and visas, and handling immigration-related policies. It reports to the Under Secretary for Management and works to administer laws, regulations, and policies for consular services around the world.

CA’s history goes back to 1952 as the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs. It became the Bureau of Consular Affairs in 1979 after the security functions were moved to a separate office.

The bureau is organized into eight offices and provides management support, IT systems, human resources, and fraud prevention resources. It helps consular officers detect passport and visa fraud and supports U.S. citizens and U.S. embassies and consulates with information, travel warnings, and alerts. CA runs the volunteer Warden Program and handles public outreach and policy coordination with media and Congress.

Key functions include issuing U.S. Passports (millions are in circulation) and issuing visas abroad under the Immigration and Nationality Act (non-immigrant and immigrant visas). Since 2009, all travelers entering the United States must show proof of citizenship, such as a passport book or passport card. Passports can be issued in the United States or at embassies or consulates abroad; electronic passports (e-passports) began in 2006. Consular officers overseas issue all non-immigrant and immigrant visas, under INA, and work with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on related matters in the United States. The Office of Children’s Issues handles international child abduction and adoption issues as the U.S. Central Authority under the Hague conventions. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services is Matthew Pierce.