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U.S. Visa Policy
The U.S. is a free and
open society. We welcome citizens from around the
world who genuinely want to visit, study, and do business
here. We are dedicated to protecting their safety
and keeping our doors open to them. Changes in visa
procedures reflect our concern for ensuring the safety
of U.S. residents and visitors alike, not to make
it more difficult for legitimate travelers to enter
the United States.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
we made some changes in our laws governing visitor
entry and exit.
We now require additional application forms and security
clearances. Visa applications take longer to process.
At first, many applicants experienced hardship when
applications got backlogged and delays became indefinite.
Fortunately, we have improved our visa clearance procedures.
Better interagency cooperation and automated procedures
have speeded up the clearance process. Our goal is
to make the visa process not only thorough, but also
respectful and efficient.
There are some new procedures that you will need to
become familiar with. We want to educate and inform
you about this process.
Arriving
in the U.S.
Persons traveling without a visa on the Visa Waiver
Program, will be enrolled in the U.S. Visitor and
Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program
at all airports and seaports, upon arrival in the
U.S.
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. See requirements for Entry into the U.S.
Under the US-VISIT Program of the Department of Homeland
Security, 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. For information about arriving in the
U.S., including arriving by land or sea, see US-VISIT.
Upon arrival in the U.S., certain foreign citizens
are required to register under Special Registration,
which is the National Security Entry Exit Registration
System (NSEERS) program. Registration under NSEERS
is a distinct process from US-VISIT. Select Special
Registration to learn more.
Our links page will direct
you to the relevant US web site
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