U.S. Entry Requirements Tighten, Authorities Warn

Strict US Entry Requirements

Frequent grounds for inadmissibility

Valid documentation required

Entry into the United States involves strict requirements that mainly affect foreign nationals and lawful permanent residents, while US citizens maintain their guaranteed right of entry except for specific exceptions, according to border authorities.

In recent months, US immigration agencies have strengthened document and health checks at air, land, and sea borders.

These measures have modified certain requirements for travelers of different nationalities and immigration categories, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Below are the key points about the updated process for entering the country.

Requirements to Enter the United States

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US citizens must present a valid passport when boarding international flights by air, according to Infobae.

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This requirement applies regardless of the traveler’s age and falls under CBP’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

For entry by land or sea from Canada or Mexico, alternative documents are permitted, such as an enhanced driver’s license, a passport card, a NEXUS card, or military IDs in specific situations.

Authorities emphasize that these documents must be current and meet established security standards.

Document verification includes biometric checks, information cross-checking, and identity confirmation within Department of Homeland Security systems.

The US entry requirement applies both to citizens and to foreign nationals from visa-waiver countries or participants in expedited programs such as Global Entry and SENTRI.

Reasons You May Be Denied Entry

Section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) outlines the grounds on which a foreign national may be deemed inadmissible upon arrival at a port of entry.

Among the frequent reasons, USCIS and CBP list the presence of communicable diseases or conditions relevant to public health — such as tuberculosis — under CDC guidelines.

Criminal records, felony convictions, or links to illicit activities also appear as grounds.

Another reason is suspicion of involvement in activities that represent threats to national security or public order, including terrorism.

Immigration authorities also consider the possibility that a traveler may become a public charge by attempting to improperly access subsidies or public benefits.

Entry is also denied to those seeking to work illegally or presenting falsified documents.

The lack of valid documentation — such as expired passports, missing visas, or inconsistencies in information — also constitutes a cause for inadmissibility.

CBP summarizes its stance in an official statement: every traveler must demonstrate a legal right or valid authorization to enter and is subject to inspection at the discretion of the officer at the port of entry.

Documentation and Preparation Before Travel

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CBP recommends always carrying the most recent and valid documentation, even for those who are part of the Visa Waiver Program.

The agency warns that regulations may change based on updates related to global health or national security.

Therefore, it advises consulting official CBP, USCIS, and State Department sources before planning any trip.

US citizens applying for passports must state their sex assigned at birth on the application, in accordance with updated State Department guidelines.

For military personnel, merchant mariners, and their families, alternative documents and processes authorized by CBP are available.

Tighter controls especially affect travelers in the Visa Waiver Program, permanent residents who remain outside the country for more than six months, and visa holders with travel histories to nations considered high-risk.

Authorities recommend checking the validity of documents, completing mandatory electronic procedures, and staying informed before every entry to avoid delays or refusals at the border—particularly under the stricter US entry requirements now in place.