Wanderlust World Wanderlust World United States citizens must present a valid passport or other documents denoting their identity and citizenship when entering the United States after travel to another country. This regulation has been in effect for air travelers since 2007 and for travelers entering by land or sea since June 1, 2009. Children 15 or under arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory can show a birth certificate. You must show your passport when leaving the country by air, and children must present their own passports.
Members of U.S. armed forces on official travel with U.S. military I.D. card and travel orders are exempt from passport regulations. U.S. citizen merchant mariners on maritime business with U.S. Merchant Mariner documents do not have to show a passport. Canadian citizens presenting a NEXUS card at a Canadian airport are also exempt. U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents must present their Permanent Resident Card or equivalent.
Citizens of foreign countries entering the United States must have a valid passport from their home country and a valid visa issued by a U.S. Consular Official. An individual entering the U.S. may be exempt from the visa rule if he is a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, a lawful permanent resident or a citizen of Canada.
Citizens or nationals of designated countries who wish to travel to the United States for purposes of tourism or business for 90 days or less may be eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa. Machine-readable passports are required, and there may be other requirements. Check the U.S. State Department website to see the current list of designated countries.