Border Crossing

US-VISIT: Facilitating Legitimate Travel and Trade Across Our Borders

Disclaimer: This information is provided as a service to our visitors and no guarantee is made as to its completeness or correctness. All information should be independently verified with the relevant authorities.

Editor's Note: The following information has been provided to GoNorthwest.com by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to aid our readers in better understanding what to expect when crossing the border between Canada and the United States.

New security procedures at the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land border are making the border crossing experience more secure, convenient and faster for low risk international visitors.

As part of the U.S. government's vision for a 21st century immigration and border management system, the US-VISIT program is designed to increase border security without slowing cross-border travel and trade between the United States and its neighbors. US VISIT uses technology to collect biographic and biometric information, which makes it virtually impossible for anyone to steal a visitor's identity in order to cross the border and provides significant security measures to protect the individual's privacy.

US-VISIT entry procedures are currently in place at airports and seaports with international arrivals and in the secondary inspection areas of U.S. land border ports of entry. US-VISIT currently applies to all visitors (with limited exemptions) entering the United States, regardless of country of origin or whether they are traveling on a visa. The enrollment process is fast, easy to understand and simple for visitors.

US-VISIT has also begun testing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology at five land border ports, including Nogales East (Deconcini) and Nogales West (Mariposa), Ariz., Alexandria Bay, N.Y. and at Pacific Highway and Peace Arch in Blaine, Wash. RFID technology has the potential to allow US VISIT to accurately and promptly record entries and exits at land border ports without requiring visitors to interrupt their travels by stopping or even slowing down to check out.

For more information, including details about international visitors required to go through US-VISIT, please visit www.dhs.gov/us-visit.

More Information

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) telephone numbers for customer service:

  • Local: 202-354-1000

  • Toll-free (from US): 1-877-227-5511.

Also see telephone numbers listed under "Ports of Entry". For additional information, please visit either of the following web sites:

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

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