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If
you are preparing to enter the United States, then you will want
to review this section. Major topics are listed below.
You should familiarize
yourself with the inspection process for U.S. entry and the forms
involved. Despite any visa you may have received from a U.S. Consulate
or Embassy, a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.
A separate U.S. agency, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), has authority to deny admission at the port of entry. Also,
the period for which you are authorized to remain in the U.S. is
determined by the USCIS upon arrival, and it may not be the same
period as your visa. For more information, see Inspection
Process for U.S. Entry and What
is a Visa?
You may also want to review U.S. Customs information (see below),
particularly if you are bringing any food, plants, or pets. Both
U.S. citizens and non-citizens are restricted regarding the items
they can bring with them.
If you are a temporary visitor (nonimmigrant), we have provided
some helpful links below that explain how to extend your stay in
the U.S., revalidate your visa, perhaps obtain a work permit, and
more.
If you are living in the U.S. and have an application for permanent
residence pending, you should be very careful about traveling outside
the U.S. before your application is approved (see Have
a Pending Immigration Application? Beware of Foreign Travel).
If you are a permanent resident and plan to be outside the U.S.
for more than a year (but less than two), you will need a Reentry
Permit to return to the U.S. You must apply for one before
you leave the U.S. (see Returning
Resident Aliens).
Regardless of your visa or immigrant status, as a non-U.S. citizen
you should be aware how to contact your
country's embassy in the U.S. in case of emergency. You
may also be interested in your rights as a foreign national
if you are detained by law enforcement
in the U.S.
| Entry
Process |
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| Forms |
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| Nearest
U.S. Consulate |
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Customs
Information
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| Temporary
Visitors (Nonimigrants) |
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| Permanent
Residents (Immigrants) |
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| Other
Important Information |
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The information provided
in this website is not legal advice and should not be interpreted
as legal advice. This website is intended to provide a basic understanding
of this information in summary form. This information may not be
comprehensive, is subject to change, and may not apply to all individual
circumstances. Any information received here should be confirmed
with the appropriate government agencies or with an attorney, particularly
as it relates to your individual circumstances. Your use of this
website indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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