Jackson & Hertogs: US-VISIT

Useful links:

US-VISIT (Dept. of Homeland Security website)
US-VISIT Ports of Entry (DHS website)
US-VISIT at selected land crossings (J&H website, 10/04)
US-VISIT and Canadians (DHS website): http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/editorial_0695.shtm
Machine-readable passport requirements (in Adobe Acrobat Format)
US-VISIT Moves Out of Biometric Exit Pilot Phase (DHS website, 5/07)

The United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT) is a biometric entry tracking system which was initiated on January 5, 2004 and is being implemented in stages at U.S. air, sea, and land ports of entry. As of May 6, 2007, US-VISIT exit procedures were discontinued and you no longer need to check out at a US-VISIT exit kiosk.

All foreign national visitors to the U.S. (with limited exemptions) are required to participate in US-VISIT, if passing through a port of entry where US-VISIT is operational, by having certain biometric information taken upon entry at an airport, seaport, or land port of entry.

Generally, the procedure for visitors is to have a ten fingerprint scan , and a digital photograph taken to verify the visitor's identity. The two fingerprint scan was phased out starting November 29, 2007. Individuals younger than 14 or older than 79 are generally exempt from US-VISIT, as are U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents. Since most Canadian citizens are visa exempt, they are currently not subject to the US-VISIT. Also, Mexican citizens with a valid B1/B2 visa/Border Crossing Card (BCC), also known as a "laser visa", and who use the travel document only as a BCC are currently exempt.

For more specific information on US-VISIT, click on the links above.

Note: US-VISIT and NSEERS Special Registration are two different processes with different requirements, and procedures. Compliance with US-VISIT requirements and procedures does NOT mean compliance with NSEERS requirements and procedures. Click here for more information on Special Registration.

I2712