Rochester Entry Requirements

Children of any age, including infants, must have their own passport (cannot be included on parent's passport). Children under 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or with non-parents should carry notarized letter of consent from non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing travel. Letter should include child's name, parent/guardian names, travel dates, destination, and accompanying adult's information. CBP may question children traveling without both parents to prevent child abduction. Adopted children should carry adoption papers. Children born in the US are US citizens regardless of parents' nationality. Unaccompanied minors require special arrangements with airlines. Step-parents or grandparents should have authorization letters. Divorced parents should carry custody documents if applicable.

Dogs and cats can enter the US with proper documentation. Dogs require valid rabies vaccination certificate (if older than 3 months) administered at least 30 days before entry and valid for duration of stay. Vaccination certificate must include dog description, dates, vaccine information, and veterinarian signature. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries require additional documentation and may need quarantine. Cats are not required to have rabies vaccination for entry but it's recommended. All pets must appear healthy upon arrival. Service animals have special provisions but still require health documentation. Birds require import permit from USDA and quarantine. Other animals (reptiles, rodents, etc.) have varying requirements. Contact CDC and USDA-APHIS for specific requirements. New York State may have additional requirements. Airlines have separate pet policies and fees. Consider your pet's welfare during travel and in Rochester's climate (cold winters).

VWP visitors (ESTA) cannot extend stay beyond 90 days and cannot change status - must leave US and reapply. Frequent short-term visits may raise suspicion of attempting to live in US. B-1/B-2 visa holders can apply to extend stay using Form I-539 with USCIS before current authorized stay expires. Extension not guaranteed and can take several months to process. Overstaying can result in visa cancellation, future entry bans (3-10 years), and immigration violations. For longer stays, consider appropriate visa: F-1 for students, J-1 for exchange programs, H-1B for specialty workers, etc. Each requires specific qualifications and sponsorship. Changing from tourist to another status while in US is possible but complex - consult immigration attorney. Working on tourist visa/VWP is illegal and can result in deportation and permanent bars. Monitor your I-94 departure date at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. If you need to stay longer due to emergency (medical, natural disaster), contact USCIS immediately.

Business visitors can enter on B-1 visa or VWP for specific activities: attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, consulting with business associates, attending training, taking orders for foreign company. Cannot perform productive work or receive US-source salary. Cannot establish US business or work for US company. Activities must be international in scope. Bring supporting documents: invitation letter from US company, conference registration, proof of employment abroad, evidence of foreign residence. Duration typically up to 6 months. Frequent business travel may require different visa. If in doubt about whether activity qualifies as business vs. work, consult immigration attorney before travel.

Students must have F-1 visa and Form I-20 from SEVIS-approved school. Exchange visitors need J-1 visa and Form DS-2019 from program sponsor. Apply for visa after receiving I-20/DS-2019. Can enter US up to 30 days before program start date. Must attend school listed on I-20. Can work on-campus with restrictions. Off-campus work requires authorization (CPT, OPT). Must maintain full-time enrollment. Can travel during school breaks but need valid visa, I-20, and school endorsement for re-entry. Dependents (spouse/children) need F-2 or J-2 visas. Rochester has several universities including University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and others. J-1 visitors may be subject to 2-year home residency requirement. Changing schools requires transfer procedures. Consult your Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) for specific requirements.

Previous overstays, visa violations, deportations, or immigration fraud can affect future entry eligibility. Overstays of more than 180 days trigger 3-year bar; over 1 year triggers 10-year bar. Previous deportation may result in permanent bar. Criminal convictions (especially drugs, crimes of moral turpitude, domestic violence) can result in inadmissibility. DUI convictions may cause problems. Even minor violations can be recorded. ESTA applications will likely be denied if you have previous violations - must apply for visa. Be honest on visa applications; lying about previous violations can result in permanent ban. Some violations can be waived with proper application and evidence. Consult immigration attorney if you have previous violations. CBP has access to comprehensive databases and biometric records. Attempting to hide previous violations will likely be discovered and worsen consequences.

If you hold US citizenship (even dual citizenship), you MUST enter and exit the US using your US passport, even if your other passport is from a VWP country. This is US law. Cannot use foreign passport to enter US if you're a US citizen. If your US passport is expired, renew it before travel or visit US Embassy/Consulate abroad. Children born in US are US citizens regardless of parents' nationality. Dual citizens may face questions about which passport to use - always use US passport for US entry. Can use either passport for travel to third countries. Some countries don't recognize dual citizenship - check requirements for all countries on your itinerary.

US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) do not need visa but must present valid Green Card (Form I-551) for entry. Green Card must not be expired. If abroad for more than 1 year, may need re-entry permit or returning resident visa. Trips over 6 months may raise questions about maintaining US residence. Must maintain primary residence in US. Cannot stay abroad indefinitely without losing status. Bring evidence of US ties: property ownership, tax returns, employment, family. If Green Card is lost/stolen abroad, contact nearest US Embassy/Consulate. Conditional permanent residents (2-year Green Card) must file to remove conditions before expiration. Green Card holders should carry card at all times in US. Can travel freely but extended absences may affect naturalization eligibility.