The United States is set to extend the same visa privileges to gay married couples worldwide as those enjoyed by heterosexuals.
Speaking at the US embassy in London on Friday, Secretary of State John Kerry said visa applications by same-sex spouses would be treated the same as those by heterosexual husbands or wives, as long as their marriage was recognised in the country where they wed.
"I'm very pleased to be able to announce that effective immediately, when same-sex spouses apply for a visa, the Department of State will consider that application in the same manner that it will consider the application of opposite-sex spouses," Kerry told embassy staff.
The announcement comes a month after a historic ruling by the US Supreme Court which struck down a law denying federal benefits to homosexual couples.
Kerry said the State Department was "tearing down an unjust and an unfair barrier that for too long stood in the way of same-sex families being able to travel as a family to the United States".
The change in visa rules will apply to same-sex spouses even if they are applying for a visa while in a country that does not recognise their marriage, he added.
The US government had announced last month that same-sex spouses could now apply for "green card" residency permits.
Rhode Island and Minnesota on Thursday became the 12th and 13th US states to legalise same-sex weddings, amid record support for gay marriage in the US.
