Obligations for Foreign Nationals Seeking to Enter the U.S. or to Maintain Lawful Status
Foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States are subject to strict security procedures at U.S. consulates, embassies and ports of entry, which may have a significant effect on entry to the United States. After entry, they have numerous obligations and responsibilities they must fulfill to maintain their status. This document provides guidance on procedures, including visa issuance at U.S. consulates and embassies, security screening, and the immigration obligations of foreign nationals traveling to and staying in the United States.
Though it is not possible to detail every immigration procedure and obligation in this document, foreign nationals should be aware of some general guidelines for international travel, each of which is discussed in more detail below.
All foreign nationals should ensure that they and their family members possess the required documentation for travel and re-entry to the United States, including valid passports and visas (including passports that are machine-readable and, where necessary, contain digital photographs and/or e-chips for Visa Waiver Program travelers), and advance permission to travel (i.e., advance parole) where necessary.
• All foreign nationals should expect complex and sometimes lengthy visa application procedures at the U.S. consulates and embassies, including biometrics collection procedures, mandatory personal interviews for most visa applicants, security screening and verification of visa eligibility through government databases.
• All foreign nationals should expect comprehensive questioning by immigration officials when reentering the United States.
• Most foreign nationals entering the United States will be subject to the Biometric Data Collection system (formerly the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) system), a "check-in" mechanism that collects travelers’ fingerprints and photographs.
• Foreign students and exchange visitors must make sure that their enrollment or program information has been entered into Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and that required SEVIS registration fees have been paid.
• Once in the United States, all foreign nationals should carry documentation of their immigration status.
Though it is not possible to detail every immigration procedure and obligation in this document, foreign nationals should be aware of some general guidelines for international travel, each of which is discussed in more detail below.
All foreign nationals should ensure that they and their family members possess the required documentation for travel and re-entry to the United States, including valid passports and visas (including passports that are machine-readable and, where necessary, contain digital photographs and/or e-chips for Visa Waiver Program travelers), and advance permission to travel (i.e., advance parole) where necessary.
• All foreign nationals should expect complex and sometimes lengthy visa application procedures at the U.S. consulates and embassies, including biometrics collection procedures, mandatory personal interviews for most visa applicants, security screening and verification of visa eligibility through government databases.
• All foreign nationals should expect comprehensive questioning by immigration officials when reentering the United States.
• Most foreign nationals entering the United States will be subject to the Biometric Data Collection system (formerly the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) system), a "check-in" mechanism that collects travelers’ fingerprints and photographs.
• Foreign students and exchange visitors must make sure that their enrollment or program information has been entered into Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and that required SEVIS registration fees have been paid.
• Once in the United States, all foreign nationals should carry documentation of their immigration status.