The USA is a dream country for the life of many foreigners. When moving here, immigrants usually aim to live there for many years. However, there must be legal grounds for this. Learn more about the rules for legal entry and stay in the USA in 2023

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A foreigner must have legal grounds to move to the United States. It is worth noting that immigration begins with legal entry into the territory of the country. According to statistics, illegal crossing of the American border has decreased by about 90% since 2000.

We have collected the most common legal ways to enter the US and ways to obtain a permanent residence permit.

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Rules for legal entry to the USA in 2023

Ground for entry

A foreigner must have an entry permit, a visa, or submit an online application for visa-free entry in the ESTA system to legally cross the US border. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a simplified procedure for issuing electronic entry permits, which is available to citizens of 39 countries: most European countries, Chile, Brunei, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, etc.

List of documents for crossing the border

- valid foreign passport;

- entry permit, visa or ESTA;

Also, depending on the purpose of the trip, certain additional documents may be required: proof of financial availability, return ticket, medical certificates, documents confirming the purpose of entry (employment contracts, student enrollment certificate, etc.).

Requirements for foreigners

When passing customs and border control, the service employees usually check whether the foreigner does not threaten the security of the United States and whether he has the right to enter the country on legal grounds.

Traveling with children

A child must have a foreign passport and visa or an ESTA permit to enter the United States. In addition, a person traveling with a child must prove that he has the right to do so, an approximate list of documents: birth certificate, notarized power of attorney from guardians, copies of passports and contact information of all guardians, consent of the child to travel.

Additional Information

Certain control authorities, such as the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), CBP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may request a number of additional data from a foreigner: date of birth, gender, passport data, address of first stay in the US. There are also cases when it is necessary to fill out a customs declaration when crossing the border.

Traveling with pets

For a foreigner to enter the USA with a dog, cat or any other domestic animal, it is necessary to have a certain list of documents for it: medical certificates, vaccination data, blood test, microchip and special permits.

Goods whose importation to the USA is restricted

Before traveling, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the rules for importing the following groups of goods: cultural objects, firearms, food, alcoholic beverages, wild animals, medicines, cash and valuable gifts.

When can a foreigner be denied entry?

There is a certain list of reasons when a foreigner may be refused entry:

- presence of a criminal record;

- cases of illegal work in the USA;

- health problems that may pose a danger to American society;

- lack of vaccines;

- false information is provided when filling out the ESTA;

- an expired visa;

- lack of certain documents;

- suspicious or strange behavior.

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