Prince Harry may hold a rare diplomatic visa that allows him to live in the United States indefinitely, according to newly uncovered records from the Trump administration. These documents, released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), shed some light on the Duke of Sussex’s immigration status, although much of the information remains redacted. While the records didn’t reveal new details beyond Harry’s previous admissions about drug use in his memoir Spare, the documents suggest that he may possess an A-1 Head of State visa—often referred to as a “golden ticket.”
The A-1 visa, typically issued to heads of state and foreign royals, is a special classification that allows its holders to enter and leave the U.S. without the usual restrictions, and it comes with minimal security checks. Immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin explained that the visa is issued by the Department of State, with little input from the DHS, and is typically valid for five years, granting multiple entries. The visa’s “duration of status” provision means that Harry could remain in the U.S. for the entirety of his life, as long as he continues to stay within the realm of his royal duties, potentially as a close relative to the British monarch.
While Prince Harry has not explicitly confirmed the visa type, the idea that he holds a special A-1 visa is consistent with reports from immigration experts who describe it as akin to a “golden ticket,” giving Harry the ability to live in the U.S. permanently. The visa, which requires little renewal effort and provides significant flexibility, is part of the unique privileges afforded to royals like Harry. His legal team has yet to comment on these reports, and the exact nature of his visa remains uncertain, though sources close to him suggest that he has been truthful in his application.
Harry’s move to the United States in 2020, alongside his wife Meghan Markle, marked a significant shift in his life away from royal duties. Since their relocation to Montecito, California, the couple has focused on their philanthropic efforts, including Harry’s Invictus Games and other initiatives. Despite stepping away from royal life, Harry has expressed his enjoyment of life in the U.S., and the couple’s plans to remain stateside permanently appear to be well underway.
However, the issue of Harry’s visa status has not been without controversy. In 2023, the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, sued the DHS for access to Harry’s visa records to determine whether he had misrepresented his past drug use on his application forms. Harry openly admitted in his memoir to experimenting with drugs like cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelic mushrooms during his youth—an admission that would have likely needed to be disclosed during his visa application process before he moved to the U.S.
The Heritage Foundation’s lawsuit raised concerns that Harry may have either falsified information about his drug use or received preferential treatment, which could have influenced the visa process. As a result, there was a brief reopening of the case in early 2024. However, the matter was reportedly settled when former President Trump returned to the White House, with Trump ruling out any plans for deportation.
Harry’s residency status in the U.S. has also prompted speculation about his motivations for moving to the country and whether his foundations or “exceptional talent” might have played a role in his visa approval. Typically, diplomatic visas like the A-1 are sponsored by organizations, which may have argued that Harry’s high-profile status and fundraising abilities were reasons enough to grant him permanent entry.
Despite the ongoing questions about his visa application, those close to Harry have maintained that he filled out his visa paperwork truthfully and complied with all requirements. They have also stated that the information about his drug use would have been included on his DS-160 form, which is submitted to the DHS as part of the visa application process. However, if this information was omitted, it would have stayed with the State Department and not been made available in the DHS files.
While there remains some legal ambiguity regarding Harry’s exact visa status, it seems clear that the Duke of Sussex has made his home in the U.S. with the intention of staying long-term. He and Meghan have settled in Montecito, where they continue to focus on their charitable work and raising their two children. Regardless of the visa’s specifics, Harry’s future in the United States appears secure, and his personal and professional life will likely continue to unfold in the country for the foreseeable future.
Although Harry’s visa situation has sparked significant debate, former President Trump has made it clear that he has no intention of pursuing deportation. “I’ll leave him alone,” Trump said in a February interview, signaling that for now, the Duke of Sussex can remain in the U.S. without further legal complications. As Prince Harry continues his life in California, the question of his long-term residency status may fade into the background, with the focus shifting to his ongoing efforts to carve out a life separate from the British royal family.
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