I’m seeing a lot of posts about people having bad experiences when entering the United States. I’m putting up this video as a helpful guide to minimize your risk of delays, problems, or headaches when entering the country.
This was also top of mind because my spouse and I recently entered the U.S. through the Los Angeles port of entry. For us, it was a hassle-free experience. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents were professional and courteous, and they even joked with my wife and a Thai colleague about how to say “goodbye” and “thank you” in Thai.
The secondary customs inspection after grabbing our bags is no longer part of the process, and we found that facial recognition technology at both Suvarnabhumi and Los Angeles airports helped us get through immigration much more quickly.
So how do you enter the U.S. without problems and ensure that you have the right documents and information on hand if questioned more closely by a CBP officer?
Let’s start with the B-2 visitor visa, and then talk about permanent residents of the United States.
If you’re entering the U.S. holding a B-2 visitor visa, you’ve committed to visiting the U.S. for a specified period of time without any intention of working or immigrating. The documents you should have in a folder should support both the purpose of your trip and your length of stay.
This includes:
- Your return or onward airline ticket
- Hotel reservations or an invitation letter from your U.S. host
- An itinerary of tourist attractions and any family or friends you’ll be visiting
It’s also helpful to show an ability to pay for the trip, either through your sponsor or with your own funds and credit cards.
Finally, reinforcing your ties to your home country through documents you presented when obtaining your visa is a good idea. This can include verification of employment, property ownership, or school enrollment.
What you want to avoid is bringing anything that may be interpreted as evidence that you intend to seek employment, such as resumes, business cards, or academic transcripts.
Also remember that CBP officers can inspect your electronic devices. We had a client who was denied entry because her browser history showed a number of employment-related searches.
You should also avoid bringing documents that may indicate an intent to immigrate, such as a marriage certificate or evidence of engagement to a U.S. citizen. Documents reflecting ownership of property in the U.S. can also be problematic.
A final tip is to always be courteous, consistent, and concise. Provide everything the officer requests, but never volunteer additional information or documents, as this could unintentionally lead to further questioning.
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Now, turning to those of you who are permanent residents: if you’ve been away from the U.S. — for example, in Thailand — for several months, there are documents you should have handy to show that you intend to remain a permanent resident of the United States.
I’ll address what to do if you plan to be away, or have already been away, for more than a year in a separate video.
In a folder in your carry-on bag, have the following available:
- Your state-issued driver’s license or ID
- Property ownership documents or a lease, along with utility bills, to establish residence
- U.S. tax returns, bank statements, and credit card statements to show financial ties
- Proof of employment, such as an employment agreement or verification letter
- Marriage certificates or children’s birth certificates if you’re married or have U.S.-based dependents
There are also documents you should avoid bringing with you, including:
- Foreign employment contracts or income tax filings
- Foreign property purchases or leases
- Long-term overseas school enrollment documents
And as always, stay courteous and factual. You may be asked to explain what you were doing abroad for so long and what evidence you can provide to demonstrate your intent to remain a permanent resident of the United States.
Remember that even if you hold a green card, entry to the United States is not automatic.
If you’ve been a green card holder for three years and are married to a U.S. citizen, you may want to consider applying for citizenship — especially if you plan to spend extended periods outside the U.S., for example to care for an elderly parent.
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