Arriving in the USand the CBP officer,explained.
A visa lets you travel to a US port of entry and ask to come in. A CBP officer decides. Here's what they check at the booth and how to get ready.
What happens when you arrive in the US?
Everyone arriving at a US airport, seaport or land crossing is inspected by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Who
- Every traveler. If you aren't a US citizen, you must establish your admissibility to the officer.
- Where
- Any port of entry. CBP says it runs 328 main ports of entry.
- The visa
- It lets you travel to the port and ask to come in. It doesn't guarantee entry.
- If admitted
- You get an admission stamp, and your Form I-94 record is created. It shows how long you can stay.
The arrival interview
At primary inspection one officer checks who you are, your citizenship, whether you can enter and what you're bringing.
What happens
- 1One officer handles the immigration, customs and agriculture parts of the check.
- 2The officer looks at your passport and documents and asks short questions.
- 3Visitors and students hear the usual ones: why you're here, how long you'll stay and where.
- 4They may ask whether you can support yourself and whether your documents match your purpose.
- 5You declare what you're bringing. If you're admitted, the officer decides how long you can stay.
Why travelers are sent to secondary or refused
- Issues with documents or information, or answers that don't fit the visa.
- Possible immigration or customs violations.
- At random: CBP says some referrals to secondary are completely random.
- If found inadmissible, a traveler may be refused entry or allowed to withdraw the application.
- Students missing documents may be let in on a Form I-515A with 30 days to send them.
What the officer asks about
- Documents6 questions
- Customs4 questions
- Purpose3 questions
- Travel history3 questions
- Purpose“What is the purpose of your visit to the United States?”
- Stay“How long do you plan to visit?”
- Stay“Where will you be staying?”
- Stay“Do you have a return ticket?”
How Visaful helps with your US arrival interview
Practice this exact interview with an AI officer: the topics it covers, out loud, in 1 to 2 minutes like the real thing, with a score after every mock.
- 1
We prepare you for every question
27 questions officers ask at US arrival, from your purpose and stay to your I-20, customs and secondary inspection.
27 questions
US port of entry
11 topics
Purpose to customs
- 2
Practice like it's the real thing!
A skeptical AI officer asks, cuts in and follows up on what you just said, out loud, in 1 to 2 minutes like the real thing.
- A skeptical officer who follows up on what you say
- Short answers and quick follow-ups, out loud
- US port of entry: airports and land borders
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