Dramatic twist in Prince Harry's US visa drama as new details emerge
Harry's visa application has been debated for many months
Prince Harry may hold a rare visa that allows him to stay in the US for life, an expert has said as unearthed records emerge.
The Duke of Sussex’s US visa has been at the centre of much discussion in recent months. His visa application sparked speculation over whether he received special treatment during his move to the United States in 2020.
The controversy stems from Prince Harry’s own admissions about past drug use in his memoir, Spare. Harry spoke candidly about his past drug use, saying he had tried cocaine, marijuana and magic mushrooms in the past.
Following Harry’s revelations, the right-wing Heritage Foundation have consistently challenged the duke’s immigration status. The American think tank sought to determine whether Harry disclosed his drug use on his visa application. It’s something that could have led to his denial of entry into the US.
In March, a heavily redacted version of Harry’s visa application was published after a previous ruling in September 2024 for the documents to remain private. But it revealed no new information.
What type of US visa does Prince Harry have?
It’s not known the type of visa Prince Harry entered the United States on.
However, as newly uncovered records have been unearthed by officials in the Trump administration, an immigration lawyer suggests that Harry may hold a rare diplomatic visa that allows him to live in the US indefinitely. However, it’s purely speculation.
I would expect that Prince Harry had an A-1 visa every year of his life.
According to the Daily Mail, immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin said it could be an A-1 “Head of State” visa.
The document is granted at the discretion of the Department of State, and given to members of royal families.
Speculation over Harry’s immigration status
The lawyer told the publication: “I would expect that Prince Harry had an A-1 visa every year of his life. Take his age and divide by five to figure out how many applications he has filed (or were filed on his behalf when he was underage) – so about 8 applications.
“Each visa will have a duration of five years, good for multiple entries to the United States.
“Each entry will be permitted for an indefinite period of time called ‘duration of status,’ meaning for the time that he remains close to becoming the King of England. For him, that is all of his life.”
Meanwhile, another expert allegedly told the Mail that the visa is a “golden ticket” for all involved and would allow Harry to “sit here [in the US] forever”.
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Prince Harry for comment.
Critics speculated Harry had ‘special treatment’
Earlier this year, after Harry’s visa records were redacted for privacy reasons, online critics speculated a reason why.
The US Department of Homeland Security officials stated that disclosing his full visa details could lead to “reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others”.
Despite these explanations, critics remain unconvinced, with many turning to social media to voice their scepticism.
On Reddit and other online platforms, many users speculated that the redactions were an attempt to conceal that Harry had received special treatment regarding the drug-related questions.
One user wrote: “And as we expected, we don’t know anything more than when we started. With so much redacted, I’m betting he got special treatment and we will never know if he admitted his drug use or not.”
Another claimed on X: “The heavy redactions on Prince Harry’s immigration records prove he was given special treatment.”
A third added: “Prince Harry’s document dump is very very telling… especially the parts that have not been redacted. Prince Harry got special treatment.”
However, others hit back at the theories and insisted the DHS confirmed that the duke didn’t receive special treatment.
The DHS insisted that Harry didn’t receive special treatment and his application followed all the “applicable rules and regulations”.
It came after US President Donald Trump previously said he wouldn’t protect Harry. However, he later backtracked.
Speaking to the New York Post in February, Trump said: “I’ll leave him alone… He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
Read more: King Charles and Prince Harry ‘UK meeting’ branded ‘make or break’ amid reconciliation hopes
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