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The hierarchy of US visa law
Statute. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is codified in Title 8 of the United States Code (8 U.S.C.); for example, INA section 214(b) is 8 U.S.C. 1184(b).
Regulations. The State Department's visa regulations are in 22 CFR and the Department of Homeland Security's admission and status regulations are in 8 CFR. The current text is on eCFR.
Manual. Volume 9 of the Foreign Affairs Manual guides consular officers and is published at fam.state.gov.
Notices and new rules. Rules, proposed rules and proclamations are published in the Federal Register; each must be checked for whether it is in effect, still proposed, or blocked by a court.
Visa Connext's citation rule. Every page states the version and date checked, always uses the newest version, and where a court has blocked a rule, cites the text still in force together with the case status.
Statutes (8 U.S.C. and other laws)
Regulations (22 CFR and 8 CFR)
Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM)
| Law or source | Version and date checked | Explained on |
|---|---|---|
| 9 FAM 402.9 — Treaty Traders, Investors, and Professionals | CT:VISA-2190 · 17 Feb 2026 · checked 30 Oct 2026 | US E-2 visa for Thai investors |
Federal Register, proclamations and new laws
Official US government pages
Cases and status trackers
Sources in this group are reports from universities, law firms or policy trackers that Visa Connext uses to follow litigation and implementation. They do not replace the legal texts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the INA and 8 U.S.C.?
They are the same law. The INA is the Act with its original section numbers; 8 U.S.C. is where it sits in the US Code. For example, INA section 214(b) is 8 U.S.C. 1184(b).
What is the difference between 22 CFR and 8 CFR?
22 CFR contains the State Department's regulations on visa issuance at embassies; 8 CFR contains the Department of Homeland Security's regulations on admission, status and USCIS petitions.
Source: eCFR
Is the FAM legally binding?
The FAM is the State Department's internal guidance for consular officers. It is not a statute or regulation, but it shows how officers exercise their discretion.
Source: fam.state.gov
Is a proposed rule in the Federal Register in effect?
No. A proposed rule has no effect until it is issued as a final rule and reaches its effective date. Visa Connext states whether each cited rule is proposed or in effect.
Source: Federal Register
How often is this library updated?
The tables are rebuilt every time the site is updated, from the sources of every page; each source shows its date checked.