The majority of travelers go through U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) clearance without issue on entry to
the United States every day. The best way to avoid delays is to prepare your belongings and documents before travel
and to remain respectful, polite, and transparent during all interactions with CBP and other officials.
At this time, the U.S. government has not communicated or implemented any new travel restrictions that will
change a traveler’s ability to enter the U.S. based on their passport and visa status. If there are immigration
actions that may impact entry to the U.S., we will post them as soon as possible after they are made public.
Only a valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter the country. For non-immigrant and immigrant travelers of
foreign citizenry, in addition to a passport, a valid visa is also generally required. In addition to the information below,
be sure to read the U.S. Border Entry FAQs on the ISSD website, found under the resources tab.
There also is a FAQs section on the International Student Services (ISS) website that may help you understand the
circumstances related to international travel currently – see the Resources on Immigration Issues webpage.
Additionally, read and understand the Security Screening page on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
website – including information in the drop-down menu that explains requirements and processes for boarding a flight.
On your entry or return to the United States, you will enter primary inspection with a U.S. CBP officer, remember…
- Have your required immigration documents ready for the customs desk prior to entry. Your passport should be
valid for at least six months into the future. Depending on your visa status you should also prepare:- F-1: I-20 with travel signature and valid F-1 visa stamp (*F-1 Canadian citizens do not need visa stamps)
- J-1: DS-2019 with travel signature and valid J-1 visa stamp with UW–Madison noted as the program sponsor (*J-1s who are Canadian citizens do not need visa stamps)
- H-1B: Valid H-1B visa stamp & H-1B approval notice (*H-1B Canadian citizens do not need visa stamps)
- If you are in another sponsored status, please contact IFSS for guidance.
- Comply with rules for carry-on baggage and personal items – read info on your airline’s website to be sure.
- U.S. international ports of entry use facial biometric comparison technology to verify identity.
CBP must interview and inspect everyone who enters the U.S. Answer questions in a forthright and respectful manner:
- Your citizenship and immigration status
- Your personal background and the purpose and nature of your trip
- About anything you are bringing back to the United States that you did not have when you left
In the event that officers need more time to review your materials, you may be sent to secondary inspection. This does not
mean you are suspected of wrongdoing, only that they need more time to verify your information. Officers have legal
authority to search you, your electronic devices, and/or your baggage; if they do so, after the exam, you will be asked to
repack and close your baggage. CBP officers may request access to your social media accounts or copy data from your
devices, including sensitive personal or work-related information. Travelers, including U.S. citizens, have limited
constitutional protections (e.g., privacy and due process) during these inspections at border entry. If you surrender
passwords to your device or media accounts during the interview, remember to change these shortly after. If an electronic
device is confiscated for further review, ask for a receipt and about how/when you can retrieve the device.
It is important to remember that refusal to cooperate with CBP or any other port authorities may result in delays, seizure of
devices, and, for non-U.S. citizens, denial of entry at personal cost.