8 USC § 1735 - Restriction on issuance of visas to nonimmigrants from countries that are state sponsors of international terrorism

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t8/s1735"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "8 USC § 1735 - Restriction on issuance of visas to nonimmigrants from countries that are state sponsors of international terrorism"
title_number: 8
title_name: "ALIENS AND NATIONALITY"
section_number: "1735"
section_name: "Restriction on issuance of visas to nonimmigrants from countries that are state sponsors of international terrorism"
chapter_number: 15
chapter_name: "ENHANCED BORDER SECURITY AND VISA ENTRY REFORM"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "VISA ISSUANCE"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 107–173, title III, § 306, May 14, 2002, 116 Stat. 555.)"
---


# § 1735. Restriction on issuance of visas to nonimmigrants from countries that are state sponsors of international terrorism

**(a)** **In general** section 1101(a)(15) of this title

No nonimmigrant visa under  shall be issued to any alien from a country that is a state sponsor of international terrorism unless the Secretary of State determines, in consultation with the Attorney General and the heads of other appropriate United States agencies, that such alien does not pose a threat to the safety or national security of the United States. In making a determination under this subsection, the Secretary of State shall apply standards developed by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General and the heads of other appropriate United States agencies, that are applicable to the nationals of such states.

**(b)** **State sponsor of international terrorism defined**

**(1)** **In general** In this section, the term “state sponsor of international terrorism” means any country the government of which has been determined by the Secretary of State under any of the laws specified in paragraph (2) to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.

**(2)** **Laws under which determinations were made** The laws specified in this paragraph are the following:

**1** Section 4605(j)(1)(A) of title 50 (or successor statute).[^1]

See References in Text note below.

**(B)** Section 2780(d) of title 22.

**(C)** Section 2371(a) of title 22.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 107–173, title III, § 306, May 14, 2002, 116 Stat. 555.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), was repealed by , , . Provisions similar to those in former  can be found in , as enacted by .

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under .