Prince Harry and Meghan Marklestepped down as working Royals in 2020 and moved to Canada but only stayed briefly, before settling in Montecito, California, US, in June 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now bringing up their two children, Archie and Lilibet in the star-studded area.
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In order for Prince Harry to live in the US, he requires a visa. As it has been four years since he moved to The States, it is believed that his visa will soon expire, meaning he will need to renew it.
Prince Harry has previously talked about obtaining US citizenship but admitted that it isn’t a priority right now. An immigration lawyer has weighed in on the situation and believes that Prince Harry may need his father’s, King Charles, help.
Prince Harry needs King Charles to renew his visa
As reported by Express, Prince Harry will likely need to renew his visa soon if he wants to remain in the US. It is unclear what type of visa the Duke of Sussex holds, but immigration lawyer, Charlotte Slocombe said that he either has an A-1 or an O-1 visa.
Speaking of the A-1 visa, Slocombe explains that an A-1 visa is valid for five years, and if this is the type of visa Prince Harry has, he would need ‘a letter from the King’ for his application, meaning he wil have to contact King Charles.
Charlotte Slocombe told Express:
Visa validity for an A-1 should be valid for 5 years so, if he indeed holds an A-1, it will likely be coming up for renewal soon.
Interestingly, he would need a letter from the King himself to make this application.
However, Slocombe believes that Prince Harry has an O-1 visa, which is reserved for people with ‘recognised extraordinary ability in their field’. She explains that this type of visa is typically used by actors, musicians, and other celebrities working in the US.
Another notable visa option for Harry would be the O-1, which I suspect is the visa he holds, is for individuals with recognised extraordinary ability in their field.
The O-1 visa is only valid for three years and can only be renewed in one-year increments, as per Express. Slocombe adds that the visa can be renewed ‘indefinitely’ and the holder can apply for a green card.
Express reports that Charlotte Slocombe acknowledges that both of her statements are contradicting.
Prince Harry’s visa application was reviewed by a judge
As reported by The Standard, Prince Harry’s visa application was reviewed by a judge after Harry had admitted to previously taking drugs in his memoir Spare. The Heritage Foundation decided to launch an investigation concerning Prince Harry’s visa to find out whether or not he had lied on his application.
Indeed, as per current immigration laws in the US, drug usage can be grounds to deny a visa application. As per The Standard, the court filing reads:
Defendant the U.S. Department of Homeland Security respectfully informs the court that it has complied with the court's March 7, 2024, order by submitting declarations with attachments for ex parte in camera [in private] review.
Drug use can be considered grounds to deny a US visa application, which threatens the royal’s immigration status.
Due to Prince Harry’s admission in his memoir, a conservative think tank demanded that Prince Harry’s visa application be made public to know whether or not he declared his previous drug usage.
Moreover, the Heritage Foundation sued the Department of Homeland Security under the Freedom of Information Act, as reported by The Standard. The foundation claimed the Duke of Sussex had received ‘favourable treatment’ when applying for his visa.
However, despite the claims, the Biden administration argues that the papers shouldn't be released as those applying have a right to privacy. Biden’s administration has been accused of ‘protecting’ Prince Harry as they refuse to publish his visa application.
Donald Trump says ‘appropriate action’ needs to be taken
Back in March 2024, former US President, Donald Trump weighed in on the visa situation surrounding Prince Harry. As reported by Reuters, the former US President explained he would seek ‘appropriate action’ if he wins the presidential elections in November.
Trump appeared on GB News where he discussed Prince Harry with Nigel Farage. When asked if the Duke of Sussex should receive ‘special privileges’ if he had lied on his visa application, Donald Trump replied, as per Reuters:
No. We'll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they'll have to take appropriate action.
What would happen if Prince Harry lied on his visa application?
As reported by The Standard, it is likely that there would be a lot of pressure from the public to deport Prince Harry if it was revealed that he had lied about his drug usage on his visa application.
According to Nile Gardiner, director of The Heritage Foundation, Biden’s administration will ‘do all they can’ to stop the Duke of Sussex’s records being released. He added that it will be decided by a federal judge.
Gardiner goes on to add:
But if those records are released and if it is found that Prince Harry has lied on his application, there will be tremendous public pressure for Harry to be deported from the United States.
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Sources used:
Express: ‘Key role King Charles will have to play in permanent Prince Harry move to US’
The Standard: ‘Prince Harry visa court case explained as US visa application given to judge’
The Guardian: ‘Prince Harry confirms he is now a US resident’
Reuters: ‘Trump says he would take 'appropriate action' over Prince Harry visa question’
