Prince Harry may hold a rare diplomatic visa that allows him to live in the United States indefinitely, according to newly unearthed documents from the Trump administration.
The Duke of Sussex’s immigration status has long been a source of debate, particularly after he admitted to past drug use in his memoir Spare.
The conservative think tank Heritage Foundation went to court to argue that Harry’s application should be released to clarify whether he had disclosed this history, since drug use can be grounds for refusal.
But in March, a judge ruled his records private and not subject to disclosure.
Prince Harry tipped to hold ‘golden ticket’ visa letting him stay in America for life
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Fresh files now point to the possibility that Harry is in possession of an A-1 visa, a special category issued to heads of state and foreign royals.
This type of visa, experts say, is issued by the US State Department rather than Homeland Security, involves less stringent checks, and permits holders to remain in the country for an indefinite period.
“The Department of State vets and issues the A-1 visa with little input from the Department of Homeland Security,” immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin told the Daily Mail.
“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 eight applications.
Prince Harry's visa records were made public in March
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“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.”
Another immigration expert described such a visa as a “golden ticket” that would effectively allow Harry to “sit here (in the US) forever.”
Harry has previously made clear that he intends to stay in America for good. In December, he said he “enjoys” life in the US and plans to remain there permanently.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties.
The couple now live in Montecito with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Harry has since pursued media and charitable projects in the US, including his work with the Invictus Games.