U.S.-VISIT Entry/Exit System
Q: What is U.S.-VISIT?
A: U.S.-VISIT is a system for registering the arrival in the U.S. - and departure from the U.S. - of all foreign nationals between 14 and 79 years of age traveling on nonimmigrant visas (with a few limited exceptions).
The intention of the system is to eventually be able to keep track of all foreign nationals entering and exiting the U.S. so as to ensure that the U.S. government knows who is in the U.S. at any given time, while decreasing fraud. The system tries to do this through the use of biometric information (person-specific biological identifiers). The idea is to accomplish this goal in part by comparing the biometric identifiers of the person seeking entry to those captured when the Visa Stamp was applied for abroad.
The system was first introduced in January of 2004 and has progressively been installed at more major entry/exit points, with the goal of eventually being in force at all points of entry and exit from the U.S. By October of 2004, all visa-issuing posts were capturing biometric information for the system at the time nonimmigrant visa stamps were issued.
Q: How is U.S.-VISIT entry and exit registration carried out?
A: During the standard interview by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent upon entry, the agent instructs the foreign national to place both left and right index finger on a scanner for a digital fingerprint scan and activates a digital camera to photograph the foreign national.
With regard to exiting, the Department of Homeland Security is experimenting with a few methods. The most common involves using kiosks (much like ATM machines) where the exiting foreign national inserts the machine-readable visa stamp in his or her passport into the machine, then places the left index finger on a scanner for a fingerprint scan and is photographed digitally by the machine. A receipt is then issued for the foreign national to take with them.
Q: What are my responsibilities under the U.S.-VISIT system?
A: Simply, to register using the above procedures at any entry or exit point where the system is set up and in effect. At this point, there is no requirement that a foreign national seek out a point of entry or exit where the U.S.-VISIT system is installed, however the system will likely be in place virtually everywhere at some point in the near future.
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The above is presented for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship with our firm. The information provided should not be used as guidance in pursuing an immigration matter absent consultation with a qualified immigration attorney.