Crossing U.S. Borders

Lawful Permanent Residents

Air Travel

All travelers including children must present a passport or secure travel document when entering the United States by air.

Land/Sea Travel

Lawful permanent residents may continue to present their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. More information available at CBP.gov.

Back To Top

Citizens from Other Countries

Air Travel

All international visitors regardless of country of origin must present a passport or secure document when entering the United States by air.

US-VISIT biometric procedures apply to international travelers holding a non-U.S. passport or visa with these limited exceptions. Find out how US-VISIT works.

Land/Sea Travel

Canadian Citizens - Beginning June 1, 2009

• Canadian citizens will need to present a single document that complies with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). See www.getyouhome.gov for more information.
• US-VISIT biometric procedures may apply to some Canadian citizens. Find out if US-VISIT applies to you.

Bermudian Citizens - Beginning June 1, 2009

• Bermudian citizens will need to present a single document that complies with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). See www.getyouhome.gov for more information.
• Bermudian citizens are subject to US-VISIT procedures. Find out how US-VISIT works.

Mexican Citizens -  Mexican citizens including children must present a passport with a nonimmigrant visa or a laser visa border crossing card.

• Document requirements for most Mexican citizens, including children entering the United States, do not change under WHTI. See www.getyouhome.gov for more information.
• US-VISIT biometric procedures may apply to some Mexican citizens. Find out if US-VISIT applies to you.

All Others

• Travel Document Requirements - Visitors Traveling Under the Visa Waiver Program  International travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program need to present an e-Passport if their passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006.
• US-VISIT. Entry and exit process for visitors requiring a visa, using biometrics such as digital fingerscans and digital photographs, to ensure the person crossing our border is the same person who received the visa.
• ESTA Internet-based Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to screen Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicants prior to traveling to the United States.
• e-Passports. The United States requires that travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program have an e-Passport if their passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006.
• Travel For Non-U.S. Citizens (CBP) Information for visitors to the United States that are visiting for the purpose of working, studying, business travel or immigration.

Back To Top

Trusted Traveler Programs

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler Programs provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low risk travelers through dedicated lanes. NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards can be used by U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter the United States now and after June 1, 2009.

• NEXUS provides expedited travel via land, air or sea to approved members between the U.S. and Canada border.
• SENTRI provides expedited travel to approved members between the U.S. and Mexico border.
• FAST provides expedited travel to approved commercial truck drivers between the U.S and Canada and U.S. and Mexico borders.
• Global Entry provides expedited screening and processing for pre-screened International travelers entering the United States.

More information available at www.getyouhome.gov.

Back To Top