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.

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.