U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, D.C. 20229
To report suspicious activity call
1-800 BE ALERT
CBP Publication 0000-0146
March 2007
Welcome
to the
United States
A Guide for International
Visitors
Welcome to the United States
Contents
Introduction......................................................... 1
Preparing For Your Trip......................................... 2
International.Visitors.Checklist........................... 2
Visa.Wavier.Program.Visitors.............................. 3
Canadian,.Mexican,.and.Caribbean.Residents....... 5
Students.and.Exchange.Visitors........................... 6
Lawful.Permanent.Residents............................... 7
How.do.you.get.a.Visa?. .................................... 7
Navigating Passenger Processing............................ 9
Passenger.Processing.Checklist........................... 9
Pre-Arrival. ...................................................... 9
CBP.Inspection.Process.................................... 11
Arrival........................................................... 12
Baggage.Claim................................................ 12
Connecting.Flights.......................................... 13
Returning Home................................................. 14
Transportation.Security.Administration............. 14
Outbound.CBP.Inspections. ............................. 15
US-VISIT.Exit.Procedures................................. 16
Customer Service................................................ 17
Helpful Tips........................................................ 18
Prohibited.and.Restricted.Items. ...................... 18
Helpful.Web.sites............................................ 26
US-VISIT:.Current.Ports.of.Entry...................... 27
NEXUS.Locations. ........................................... 37
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Welcome to the United States
Introduction
Welcome to the United States. We are glad that you decided to
visit, study, work, conduct business or come permanently to the
United St