A foreign national or alien entering the U.S. is generally required to present a passport and valid visa issued by a U.S. Consular Official, unless they are coming from a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, or are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. or a citizen of Canada. To obtain a list of countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, please reference the Department of State web site.

A visa allows you to travel from your country to a port of entry in the United States. Most often that port of entry will be the airport where you land. On the airplane, you will be asked to complete a short arrival/departure form. When you deplane, follow signs for non–citizen entry. At that location, a Department of Homeland Security official will interview you and verify all of your paperwork. For most persons arriving in the U.S., there will be a fingerscan of the two index fingers and a photo will be taken. Once admitted, you will receive an immigration stamp and proceed to baggage claim and customs.