The S-6 visa is a specialized non-immigrant visa available to foreign nationals who have provided or are willing to provide critical, reliable information concerning a terrorist organization to US law enforcement.
Visa for informants against terrorism
The S-6 visa is a tool used by the US government to encourage individuals to come forward with intelligence that could prevent terrorist acts or help dismantle terrorist networks. It is part of the “S” visa category, which is reserved for witnesses and informants. The S-6 is specifically for those assisting with counter-terrorism efforts.
How does it differ from other visas?
S-5 visa: This is the other type of S visa, but it is for individuals providing information on a criminal organization, not a terrorist group.
B-1 visa: This visitor visa can be used for general witness testimony in court, but does not offer the same level of protection or the pathway to permanent residency that an S visa does. The S-6 visa is unique because it acknowledges the extreme danger the applicant may be in and is directly linked to their cooperation with US law enforcement on matters of national security.
S-7 visa: This is a visa granted to family members of S-6 visa holders, allowing them to join their spouse or parent in the US.
Who is eligible for an S-6 visa?
Eligibility for S-6 visa is determined by US government agencies based on the value and reliability of the information you provide.
The core requirements for consideration
An individual may be considered for S-6 classification if they meet some or all of these conditions:
- They possess critical, reliable intelligence about a terrorist organization’s identity, location, activities, or plans.
- They are willing to share this information with a US federal or state law enforcement agency (or have already done so).
- They are willing to testify in court or otherwise be available for US authorities as needed.
- They find themselves in danger or will be placed in danger as a result of their cooperation.
- They are eligible to receive a monetary reward from the US government for their information.
The S-6 visa application process
The S-6 visa process is highly confidential and is initiated and managed by a US law enforcement agency, not the foreign national.
Step 1: A US law enforcement agency initiates the process
The federal or state law enforcement agency (such as the FBI, CIA, or a US Attorney’s office) that is utilizing the informant’s information must decide to sponsor them for the S visa.
Step 2: The agency files Form I-854
The sponsoring agency prepares and files Form I-854, Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record, on the informant’s behalf with the US Department of Justice. This form details the information provided and certifies its importance to national security.
Step 3: High-level approval
The S-6 visa requires approval from the highest levels of the US government. The petition must be certified by the requesting law enforcement agency and approved by both the US Attorney General and the Secretary of State.
Step 4: Final processing
If the petition is approved and the informant is outside the US, the case is forwarded to a US embassy or consulate for confidential visa processing. If the informant is already in the US, they may be able to change their visa status.
Required documentation and evidence
The burden of providing evidence for an S-6 visa lies almost entirely with the sponsoring US law enforcement agency.
From the law enforcement agency
The I-854 petition will contain detailed, classified, and unclassified information about the informant’s cooperation, the nature of the intelligence provided, and why it is critical.
From the applicant
You will need to provide basic identity documents, such as your passport (if available), birth certificate, and photographs, to the sponsoring agency and consular officers as part of the process.
Conclusion
Unlike other visa categories, the S-6 is not something one applies for through a standard public process. It’s a government-initiated pathway that can offer eligible individuals legal entry and the possibility of permanent residence in the US. For those involved, it represents a practical mechanism to ensure both protection and recognition in high-risk situations, focused not on formality, but on function and security.