United States: visa and entry rules

The United States' borders: every crossing point

The land border crossings of the United States, listed by neighbour:

With Canada it is the longest border in the world between two countries: Peace Arch near Vancouver, Detroit - Windsor, Niagara Falls, Champlain near Montreal and dozens of others.

With Mexico it is the busiest border: San Ysidro by Tijuana, El Paso, Laredo, Nogales.

A visa is needed for land entry too, and it is the very same one - there is no separate land visa.

Form I-94 is issued at land crossings as well, and there a fee is charged for it, unlike on arrival by air.

Alaska is separated from the other states by Canadian territory - travelling overland, that means four border crossings there and back.

Driving to the United States

You can enter from Canada and Mexico, and the visa needed is the same as for arriving by air.

At a land crossing form I-94 is issued and a fee is charged for it.

Check the rules on temporary import of a foreign car into the United States with customs.

Insurance is compulsory and has to be an American policy: policies from other countries are not valid here.

An International Driving Permit works together with your national licence.

A rental car may be taken across the border only with the company's permission, and on the Mexican side it is rarely given.

Travelling to the United States with a pet

The rules have been tightened and differ depending on the country the animal is coming from.

An ISO-standard microchip is required.

A rabies vaccination is compulsory for dogs from high-risk countries.

Dogs need a permit arranged in advance and entry through certain airports.

Cats face fewer requirements, but an inspection on arrival is compulsory.

Confirm the timings and the full list of documents before you buy tickets - if papers are missing the dog will not be let into the country.

Overstaying your visa in the United States

The visa is cancelled automatically on the day of the overstay - even if it was issued for ten years.

An overstay of more than 180 days brings a 3-year entry ban, more than a year - a 10-year one. These are fixed steps, not an officer's discretion.

The next visa will have to be obtained in your country of citizenship, with an already spoilt history behind you.

You have to count the date on form I-94, not the validity of the visa. This is where people go wrong most often: the visa is valid for five years, but the permitted stay ran out after six months.