2019 Carrier Information Guide

Carrier

Information

Guide

United States

Document Requirements for Travel

February 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Part I:

Required Documents for Entry to the United States

I. Arrival by Air

A. U.S. Citizens

B. U.S. Residents

C. Visitors

II. Arrival by Land & Sea

A. U.S. Citizens

B. U.S. Residents

C. Visitors

III. Miscellaneous Categories

A. Visa Waiver Program

B. Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program

C. Russian Citizens Traveling to Guam / CNMI

D. Validity of Certain Foreign Passports

E. Listing of Adjacent Islands

F. Automatic Revalidation

G. Electronic Form I-94

Part II:

Required Documents for Departure by Air

A. U.S. Citizens

B. U.S. Residents

C. Visitors

Part III:

U.S. Travel Document Examples

Part IV:

Visa Classiﬁcations

Part V:

Fineable Offenses Table

Part VI:

Quick Reference Charts

Part VII:

The Advance Passenger Information System

Part VIII:

Potential Victims of Human Trafﬁcking

Introduction

Anyone seeking entry into the United States of America, whether a United States

(U.S.) citizen, a U.S. resident or a visitor to the U.S., must have in his/her possession

documentation of identity and nationality. In addition, each traveler must be in

possession of proper documentation for the purpose of his/her travel. U.S. law

provides that transportation carriers may be liable for improperly documented

passengers brought to the United States.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Carrier Information Guide serves as

a reference aid for travel industry personnel. It outlines the required documents that

apply to persons entering or departing the United States. Carrier personnel are urged

to familiarize themselves with all sections of the publication and reference it in their

examination of travel documents. To request training of carrier staff on topics in

this publication, please forward your request via the Carrier Liaison Program email

address,

CLP@dhs.gov.

Regional Carrier Liaison Groups (RCLG) have been created by CBP to assist carriers

with questions regarding U.S. entry, with a primary focus on assisting overseas carriers

to determine the authenticity of travel documents. The RCLG will respond to carrier

inquiries concerning the validity of travel documents or admissibility of travelers.

Once a determination is made on validity or admissibility, the RCLG will make a

RECOMMENDATION whether to board the passenger or to deny boarding. The ﬁnal

decision to board or not board lies with the carrier. Regional Carrier Liaison Groups

have been established in Miami, New York and Honolulu.

If you are located at an airport serviced by the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP)

or the Joint Security Program (JSP), contact should be made with either an IAP or JSP

ofﬁcer.

The RCLGs are available 24 hours a day. This service is available to all carriers

worldwide for any ﬂight destined to the United States.

RCLG SERVICE AREA PHONE NUMBER

Honolulu Asia, Paciﬁc Rim 808-237-4632

Miami Latin America, Caribbean 305-874-5444

New York Europe, Africa, Mid-East 718-553-1783

Also, carrier personnel are encouraged to reference two U.S. government internet sites

for updates and general information, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

www.cbp.

gov

and the U.S. Department of State, Consular Affairs

www.travel.state.gov.

For public

information requests, please contact the CBP INFO Center at

https://help.cbp.gov/app/

home

Carrier Information Guide

Carrier Information Guide v

Part I

Part I:

Required Documents For

Entry To The United States

Carrier Information Guide 1

Part I

I. Arrival By Air

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all air travelers (including U.S.

citizens) to and from North and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to

have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and

nationality to enter or depart the United States.

Unless otherwise indicated, all travel documents must be valid and unexpired.

A. U.S. CITIZENS — must provide one of the following:

• U.S. Passport

• Emergency U.S. Passport

• Nexus Card (only via Canadian airports)

Special Classes of U.S. Citizens:

1. U.S. citizen military personnel on active duty may be

boarded without a U.S. passport if in possession of ofﬁcial

travel orders and military ID.

2. U.S. citizen merchant mariners may be boarded without

a U.S. passport if in possession of U.S. Merchant Mariner

Card indicating U.S. citizenship.

3. U.S. citizens and nationals who travel directly between the

United States and its possessions and territories, without

touching at a foreign port or place, are not required to present

a valid passport. The United States possessions and territories

include Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American

Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands.

2 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

B. U.S. RESIDENTS — must provide one of the following:

• Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551

• Expired Conditional Resident Card, Form I-551

accompanied by Form I-797, Notice of Action

indicating the card validity is extended

• Immigrant Visa and passport

• Temporary Residence Stamp (“ADIT”) contained in a

passport or on Form I-94

• Reentry Permit, Form I-327

• Refugee Travel Document, Form I-571

• Parole Authorization, Form I-512

• U.S. Government issued Transportation Letter /

Lincoln Boarding Foil

Exceptions

Child born abroad to lawful permanent resident may be

boarded if the child was born during the temporary visit

abroad of a mother who is a lawful permanent resident

alien, or a national, of the United States. However, the

child’s application for admission to the United States

must be made within two years of birth and the child is

accompanied by the parent who is applying for readmission

as a permanent resident upon the ﬁrst return of the parent

to the United States after the birth of the child.

Child born abroad to an accompanying parent after

issuance of an immigrant visa to the parent but before the

parent’s initial admission as an immigrant may be boarded

as long as the child has a passport and birth certiﬁcate.

Alien member of the U.S. Armed Forces with ofﬁcial

orders and Military Identiﬁcation Card.

C. VISITORS / TRANSIT PASSENGERS — must provide the

following:

• Passport and visa (unless visa exempt)

Visa Exempt Visitors:

Canadian Nationals

• Passport required. Exempt visa requirements

with the exception of E, K and V nonimmigrant visa

classiﬁcations (see Part IV).

• Nexus Card (only via Canadian airports)

Carrier Information Guide 3

Part I

Bermudans

• Passport required. Exempt visa requirements with

the exception of E, K and V nonimmigrant visa

classiﬁcations (see part IV).

Mexican Nationals

• Passport and visa or

• Passport and Border Crossing Card (BCC)

Mexican Diplomats (and accompanying family members)

holding diplomatic or ofﬁcial passports, not permanently

assigned to the United States, may enter without a visa or

Border Crossing Card for a stay not to exceed six months.

Family members not traveling with the principal diplomat

require a visa to enter the United States.

NATO personnel attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in

the United States traveling with ofﬁcial orders and a NATO

identity card are exempt passport and visa requirements.

Bahamian Nationals or British Subject Residents of

the Bahamas: A visa is not required if, before boarding,

the passenger is pre-inspected by CBP in the Bahamas to

determine admissibility.

British Subject Residents of the Cayman Islands or of

the Turks and Caicos Islands: A visa is not required if the

passenger arrives directly from the Cayman Islands or the

Turks and Caicos Islands and presents a current certiﬁcate

from the clerk of the court indicating the individual does

not have a criminal record.

British Nationals of the British Virgin Islands traveling

directly to the U.S. Virgin Islands: A visa is not required

of a British National of the British Virgin Islands(BVI)

proceeding directly to the U.S. Virgin Islands from BVI.

British Citizens residing in the BVI may use the Visa Waiver

Program.

Visa Waiver Program Traveler: Citizens of speciﬁed

countries are eligible to travel to the United States without a

visa for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less.

4 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

II. Arrival by Land & Sea *

A. U.S. CITIZENS must provide one of the following:

• U.S. Passport

• U.S. Passport Card

• Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, or

Global Entry Card)

• State or Provincial issued enhanced drivers license

Special Classes of U.S. Citizens:

• U.S. Citizen military personnel on active duty with

ofﬁcial travel orders and military ID may be boarded

without a U.S. passport.

• U.S. Citizen merchant mariners with a U.S. Merchant

Mariner Card indicating U.S. citizenship may be

boarded without a U.S. passport.

• U.S. Citizens and Nationals who travel directly

between the United States and its possessions and

territories, without touching at a foreign port or

place, are not required to present a valid passport.

The United States possessions and territories include

Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American

Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands.

• Enhanced tribal card

• Native American tribal photo identiﬁcation card

* Arrival by sea from the Western Hemisphere. If arriving by sea from the Eastern

Hemisphere, please refer to Section I “Arrival by Air” for document requirements.

Carrier Information Guide 5

Part I

B. U.S. RESIDENTS — must provide one of the following:

• Permanent resident card, Form I-551

• Expired conditional resident card, Form I-551,

accompanied by Notice of Action, Form I-797

indicating the card is extended

• Immigrant visa and passport

• Temporary residence stamp (“ADIT”) contained in a

passport or on Form I-94

• Reentry permit, Form I-327

• Refugee travel document, Form I-571

• Parole authorization, Form I-512

• Employment authorization document, Form I-766

• U.S. Government issued transportation letter /

Lincoln Boarding Foil

Exceptions

Child born abroad to lawful permanent resident

may be boarded if the child was born during the temporary

visit abroad of a mother who is a lawful permanent

resident alien of the United States, provided that the child’s

application for admission to the United States is made

within two years of birth and the child is accompanied by

the parent who is applying for readmission as a permanent

resident upon the ﬁrst return of the parent to the United

States after the birth of the child.

Child born abroad to an accompanying parent after

issuance of an immigrant visa to the parent but before the

parent’s initial admission as an immigrant may be boarded

as long as the child has a passport or is listed in a parent’s

passport with a birth certiﬁcate.

Alien member of the U.S. Armed Forces in possession of

ofﬁcial orders and military identiﬁcation card.

C. VISITORS / TRANSIT PASSENGERS — must provide the

following:

• Passport and visa (unless visa exempt)

Visa Exempt Visitors

Canadian nationals – must provide one of the following:

• Passport

• Exempt visa requirements with the exception of E, K

and V nonimmigrant classiﬁcations (see Part IV)

• Canadian Citizenship Certiﬁcate

• NEXUS, FAST, SENTRI

• Indian and Northern Affairs Card

• State or provincial issued enhanced drivers license

6 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

Bermudans

• Passport required. Exempt visa requirements

with the exception of E, K and V nonimmigrant visa

classiﬁcations (see part IV).

Mexican nationals

• Passport and visa or border crossing card (Land)

• Passport and visa or passport and border crossing

card (Sea)

Mexican diplomats (and accompanying family members)

holding diplomatic or ofﬁcial passports, not permanently

assigned to the United States, may enter without a visa or

Border Crossing Card for a stay not to exceed six months.

Family members NOT traveling with the principal diplomat

require a visa to enter the United States.

NATO personnel attached to NATO Allied Headquarters in

the United States traveling with ofﬁcial orders and NATO

identity card are exempt passport and visa requirements.

Bahamian nationals or British subject residents of the

Bahamas: A visa is not required if, prior to boarding,

the passenger is pre-inspected by CBP in the Bahamas to

determine admissibility.

British subject residents of the Cayman Islands or of the

Turks and Caicos Islands: A visa is not required if the

passenger arrives directly from the Cayman Islands or the

Turks and Caicos Islands and presents a current certiﬁcate

from the Clerk of the Court indicating the individual does

not have a criminal record.

British nationals of the British Virgin Islands traveling

directly and only to the U.S. Virgin Islands: A visa is not

required of a British National of the British Virgin Islands

(BVI) who is proceeding directly to the U.S. Virgin Islands

from BVI. British Citizens residing in the BVI may use the

VWP.

Visa Waiver Program traveler: Citizens of speciﬁed

countries are eligible to travel to the United States for

tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without ﬁrst

obtaining a visa.

Carrier Information Guide 7

Part I

III. Miscellaneous Categories

A. VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

The VWP enables citizens of speciﬁc countries to travel

to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or

fewer without a visa.

Citizens of the countries listed on the next page are eligible to

travel without a visa, provided the following criteria are met:

• Passport must be an e-passport.*

• Traveler is not a permanent resident of the

United States

• Traveler is seeking entry for 90 days or fewer as a

temporary visitor for business, pleasure or transit

• Arrives via air or sea on a signatory carrier

• Has an approved ESTA travel authorization**

• Has return / onward tickets

• Travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or

adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of

those areas

** ESTA– Electronic System for Travel Authorization

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a web-based

system to collect information on the Visa Waiver Program nationals

before boarding U.S. bound–air or sea carriers. Registration in ESTA is

mandatory for citizens of all 38 countries. Please refer online at ht t p ://

esta.cbp.dhs.gov for more information.

*An e-passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded

electronic chip. One can readily identify an e-passport, because it has a

unique international symbol on the cover

8 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

Visa Waiver Program — Participating Countries

Andorra Hungary Norway

Australia Iceland Portugal

Austria Ireland San Marino

Belgium Italy Singapore

Brunei Japan Slovakia

Chile Latvia Slovenia

Czech Republic Liechtenstein South Korea

Denmark Lithuania Spain

Estonia Luxembourg Sweden

Finland Malta Switzerland

France Monaco Taiwan

Germany

Netherlands United Kingdom

Greece

New Zealand

Visa Waiver Program, continued

1. Citizens and nationals of Slovenia may use only the red cover

Slovenian passport for admission into the United States under the

Visa Waiver Program.

2. Persons presenting UK passports must possess the unrestricted right of

permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the

Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man to be eligible for the VWP. The

passport nationality must say “British Citizen.”

3. German Kinderreisepass, emergency and temporary passports are not

valid for visa waiver travel. For more information please refer online at

http://www.cbp.gov/contact.

4. Only Greek e-PP issued by the Hellenic Police as of August 26, 2006, is

valid for travel under VWP.

5. Only the Taiwan e-PP with personal identification numbers are VWP

eligible.

VWP countries’ emergency and temporary passports are subject to the

electronic passport (e-passport) requirements. VWP emergency and

temporary passports that do not meet the e-passport requirement are no

longer accepted for travel under the VWP to the United States.

Carrier Information Guide 9

Part I

B. Guam — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

(G-CNMI) Visa Waiver Program

GCVWP applicants may be boarded without a visa,

providing all of the following criteria are met:

• Arrives on a G-CNMI VWP signatory carrier

• Traveling directly to Guam or the CNMI

• Seeking entry for 45 days or fewer, as a visitor for

business or pleasure

• Holds a round-trip ticket with a conﬁrmed departure

date not exceeding 45 days from the date of admission

• Has completed and signed Form I-736 and Form I-94

• Is a citizen of and has an e-passport issued by one of

the following eligible countries:

Australia Malaysia Singapore

Brunei Nauru South Korea

Hong Kong* New Zealand Taiwan**

Japan Papua New Guinea United Kingdom

* Including citizens of the former colony of Hong Kong who are in

possession of the United Kingdom passport that states “British National

Overseas” or holders of the special administrative region (SAR) travel

document. Both of these travel documents must be in conjunction with a

Hong Kong identification card.

** Only applies to residents of Taiwan who:

1) begin their travel in Taiwan and who travel on direct flights from

Taiwan to Guam or the CNMI.

2) have a Taiwan National Identity Card and a valid Taiwanese

passport with a valid reentry permit issued by the Taiwan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

10 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

C. PAROLE OF RUSSIAN CITIZENS INTO GUAM / CNMI

On November 15, 2011, the Secretary of Homeland Security

signed a decision memorandum permitting citizens of

Russia to be paroled into Guam under the discretionary

parole authority of the secretary. A citizen of Russia is

eligible to be paroled into Guam, in addition to the CNMI;

provided, the traveler meets the following conditions:

• Travel to Guam and/or the CNMI on a signatory

carrier to the G-CNMI VWP directly from a foreign

port of embarkation.

• Travel to either Guam and/or the CNMI must not to

exceed forty-ﬁve (45) days.

• A citizen of Russia may be paroled into either Guam

or the CNMI, may travel between Guam and the

CNMI, but may not remain in the region longer than

forty-ﬁve (45) days.

• Be in possession of a round-trip ticket that is

nonrefundable and nontransferable and bears a

departure date not exceeding forty-ﬁve (45) days

from the date of entry to Guam or the CNMI.

• Be in possession of a completed and signed Guam-

CNMI Visa Waiver Information Form (CBP Form

I-736)

• Be in possession of a completed CBP Form I-94,

Arrival-Departure Record.

• Be in possession of a valid, unexpired International

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)-compliant,

passport

• Traveler must be classiﬁable as a visitor for business

or pleasure.

• Parole authorization is limited to Guam and the

CNMI only and does not confer the beneﬁt of travel

to another location within the United States or its

possessions and territories, including Puerto Rico, the

U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Swain

Islands.

• Visitors who are paroled under this authority may

not engage in local employment or labor for hire.

Carrier Information Guide 11

Part I

D. VALIDITY OF CERTAIN FOREIGN PASSPORTS

Six Month Rule

Visitors traveling to the United States are required to have

a passport valid for six months beyond the period of their

intended stay in the United States. Travelers applying for

admission within 6 months of the expiration date of the

passport from the list of countries below are exempt the 6

month requirement and may be admitted up to the expiration

date of their passport. Travelers bearing passports from

countries not on the below list must present passports with at

least 6 month validity beyond their intended period of stay.

Andorra

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Antilles

Argentina

Armenia

Aruba

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bermuda

Bolivia

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Burma

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cote d’Ivoire

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Egypt

El Salvador

Estonia

Ethiopia

Fiji

Finland

France

Gabon

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Guinea

Guyana

Haiti

Hong Kong

(Certiﬁcates of

Identity and

Passports)

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Kosovo

Latvia

Lebanon

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macau

Macedonia

Madagascar

Maldives

Malaysia

Malta

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Mozambique

Netherlands

Nepal

New Zealand

Nicaragua (for all

passports)

Nigeria

Norway

Pakistan

Palau

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Seychelles

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Vincent and The Grenadines

Suriname

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Tuvalu

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Vatican (Holy See)

Venezuela

Zimbabwe

12 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

E. LISTING OF ADJACENT ISLANDS

F. ELECTRONIC VISA UPDATE SYSTEM (EVUS)

EVUS is the online system used by nationals of China

holding a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa to periodically

update basic biographic information to facilitate their

travel to the United States. In addition to a valid visa,

such travelers will be required to complete an EVUS

enrollment to be admitted into the United States. Each

EVUS enrollment will require travelers to provide their

name, birth date, emergency contact, passport information,

biographical and employment information. Travelers

requiring EVUS must be approved before obtaining a

boarding pass and arriving to the United States. For more

information go to

www.cbp.gov/EVUS.

* Cuba is not always treated as an adjacent island nation for the

purpose of entry into the United States. It is excluded when the

speciﬁc reference so states.

Anguilla

Antigua

Aruba

Bahamas

Barbados

Barbuda

Bermuda

Bonaire

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Cuba *

Curacao

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Haiti

Jamaica

Marie-Galante

Martinique

Miquelon

Montserrat

Saba

St. Barthelemy

St. Eustatius

St. Kitts-Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Maarten / St. Martin

St. Pierre

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

Carrier Information Guide 13

Part I

G. AUTOMATIC REVALIDATION

Visitors (and accompanying spouses and/or children)

whose visas have expired may be boarded provided they

meet the following requirements:

• Arriving from Canada or Mexico

• Absent from the United States in Canada or Mexico

for 30 days or fewer

• In possession of an endorsed Form I-94 showing an

unexpired period of initial admission or extension of

stay

• In possession of a passport

• Have not applied for a new U.S. visa while abroad

• Have changed or maintained same visitor status (22

C F R 41.112(d))

Students and exchange visitors holding visas in the F and

J categories must meet all of the following to qualify for

automatic revalidation:

• Arriving from Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands

(except Cuba)

• Absent from the United States in Canada, Mexico or

adjacent islands for 30 days or fewer

• In possession of certiﬁcate of eligibility, Form I-20

for F-1, or Form DS-2019 for J-1

• In possession of an endorsed Form I-94 showing an

unexpired period of initial admission or extension of

stay

• In possession of a passport

• Have not applied for a new U.S. visa while abroad

• Have changed or maintained same visitor status (22

C F R 41.112(d))

A Form I-94 paper or electronic printout can be used for revalidation purposes.

The provisions of automatic visa revalidation do not apply to nationals of Iran, Sudan

and Syria.

14 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part I

G. ELECTRONIC FORM I-94

CBP generates electronic I-94s in the air and sea

environment. Paper form I-94s are no longer required for

air or sea travelers. They can access their I-94s upon arrival

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/.

An I-94 website printout is

the same as the paper form I-94.

Carrier Information Guide 15

Part II

Part II:

Required Documents

For Departure By Air

Carrier Information Guide 17

Part II

II. Departure By Air

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all air travelers

(including U.S. Citizens) to and from North and South America, the Caribbean, and

Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s

identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States.

Unless otherwise indicated, all travel documents must be valid and unexpired.

A. U.S. CITIZENS — must provide one of the following:

• U.S. passport

• NEXUS Card (only at designated NEXUS locations)

Exceptions:

1. U.S. citizen military personnel on active duty may be

boarded without a U.S. Passport if in possession of ofﬁcial

travel orders and valid military ID.

2. U.S. citizen merchant mariners may be boarded without

a U.S. passport if in possession of U.S. Merchant Mariner

Card indicating U.S. citizenship.

3. United States citizens and nationals who travel directly

between the United States and its possessions and

territories, without touching at a foreign port or place,

are not required to present a passport. The United States

possessions and territories include Guam, Puerto Rico, the

U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

B. U.S. RESIDENTS — must provide one of the following:

• Passport

• Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551

• Temporary Residence Stamp (“ADIT”) contained in a

passport or on a I-94

• Reentry Permit, Form I-327

• Refugee Travel Document, Form I-571

• Alien member of the U.S. Armed Forces in possession of

ofﬁcial orders and military identiﬁcation card.

18 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part II

C. Visitors — must provide the following:

• Passport

Exceptions:

Emergency Travel Document: An emergency travel document

is issued by a foreign embassy or consulate speciﬁcally for

travel to the bearer’s home country. It typically has a short

validity date (one year or less) and may limit the number

of entries. An emergency travel document may be like a

traditional passport booklet or a single sheet of paper on

foreign consulate letterhead.

Removal Orders: Removal orders are documents used

to remove, withdraw or deport inadmissible passengers

from the United States. There are various forms of removal

orders issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One of the

most commonly seen is the single journey travel letter.

National identity cards, cedulas, matriculas consular, certiﬁcates of

citizenship, certiﬁcates of naturalization and other civil identity or vital

statistics documents are NOT considered travel documents and are NOT valid

for departure from the U.S. by air.

NOTE: Destination countries may require additional

documentation.

Single Journey Letter

Carrier Information Guide 19

Part III

Part III:

U.S. Travel Document Examples

20 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Carrier Information Guide 21

Part III

PART III: U.S. Travel Documents

U.S. Passports .......................................................... 22–23

U.S. Emergency Passport ................................................23

U.S. Passport Card

......................................................... 24

Military Identiﬁcation Card ............................................25

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential .................................26

Enhanced Drivers’ License ............................................. 26

Enhanced Tribal Card .....................................................26

Global Entry Card ........................................................... 27

SENTRI Card ................................................................... 27

NEXUS Card .................................................................... 27

Permanent Resident Cards ...................................... 28–29

Notice of Action ............................................................. 30

ADIT Stamps ................................................................... 31

Immigrant Visa ...............................................................32

Permit to Re-Enter .........................................................33

Refugee Travel Document ..............................................34

Employment Authorization Documents ................... 35–36

Parole Authorization ...................................................... 37

Transportation Letter .....................................................38

Lincoln Boarding Foil .....................................................39

Lincoln Visitor Visa ........................................................ 40

U.S. Border Crossing Cards

............................................41

United Nations Laissez-Passer ......................................42

22 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

United States Passports

The U.S. Department of State issues diplomatic passports (black cover), ofﬁcial

passports (maroon cover), service passports (grey cover) and tourist passports (blue

cover).

E-Passport

Carrier Information Guide 23

Part III

United States Passports

1998 Version

Emergency Passport

24 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

U.S. Passport Card

The U.S. Passport Card can be used for land and sea travel only into the United States

from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and most Caribbean locations. Air travel will continue

to require possession of a valid passport. Under no circumstances can the U.S. Passport

Card be used as a substitute for a regular booklet-style passport.

The U.S. Passport Card is an acceptable stand alone Western Hemisphere Travel

Initiative (WHTI) compliant document for entry into the United States at all land and

sea ports of entry.

Carrier Information Guide 25

Part III

Military Identiﬁcation Card

United States military personnel on active duty may be boarded without a passport if

in possession of ofﬁcial travel orders and a military identiﬁcation card.

Note: Some valid military travel orders are not on forms DD 1610

16. REMARKS (Use this space for special requirements, leave, excess baggage, accommodations, registration fees, etc.)

11. ITINERARY

12. TRANSPORTATION MODE

b. OTHER RATE OF PER DIEM (Specify)

REQUEST AND AUTHORIZATION FOR TDY TRAVEL OF DOD PERSONNEL

(Reference: Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Chapter 3)

(Read Privacy Act Statement on back before completing form.)

1. DATE OF REQUEST

(YYYYMMDD)

2. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial)

REQUEST FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL

4. POSITION TITLE AND GRADE/RATING

5. LOCATION OF PERMANENT DUTY STATION (PDS) 6. ORGANIZATIONAL ELEMENT 7. DUTY PHONE NUMBER

(Include Area Code)

8. TYPE OF ORDERS

10a. APPROX. NO. OF TDY DAYS

(Including travel time)

b. PROCEED DATE

(YYYYMMDD)

9. TDY PURPOSE (See JTR, Appendix H)

VARIATION AUTHORIZED

a. COMMERCIAL b. GOVERNMENT

PRIVATELY OWNED CONVEYANCE (Check one)

RATE PER MILE:

AS DETERMINED BY APPROPRIATE TRANSPORTATION OFFICER (Overseas Travel only)

ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT AND PER DIEM IS

LIMITED TO CONSTRUCTIVE COST OF

COMMON CARRIER TRANSPORTATION AND

PER DIEM AS DETERMINED AND TRAVEL

TIME AS LIMITED PER JTR

13.

14. ESTIMATED COST

15. ADVANCE

AUTHORIZED

17. TRAVEL-REQUESTING OFFICIAL (Title and signature) 18. TRAVEL-APPROVING/DIRECTING OFFICIAL (Title and signature)

AUTHORIZATION

19. ACCOUNTING CITATION

20. AUTHORIZING/ORDER-ISSUING OFFICIAL (Title and signature) 21. DATE ISSUED (YYYYMMDD)

22. TRAVEL ORDER NUMBER

b. TRAVEL

c. OTHER

d. TOTAL

$ $

DD FORM 1610, JAN 2001

PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE.

a. PER DIEM

RAIL AIR BUS SHIP AIR VEHICLE SHIP

3. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

c. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

CAR

RENTAL

TAXI OTHER

a. PER DIEM AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH JTR.

0.00

Reset

16. REMARKS (Continued) (Use this space for special requirements, leave, excess baggage, accommodations, registration fees, etc.)

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

(5 U.S.C. 552a)

DD FORM 1610 (BACK), JAN 2001

AUTHORITY: 5 U.S.C. 5701, 5702, and E.O. 9397.

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): Used for reviewing, approving, and accounting for official travel.

ROUTINE USE(S): None.

DISCLOSURE: Voluntary; however, failure to provide the requested information may delay or preclude timely authorization of your travel

request.

Reset

Military Orders Forms DD-1610

26 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

The U.S. merchant mariner credential may be accepted in lieu of a U.S. passport

provided the bearer is designated on the document as a United States citizen.

Enhanced Drivers’ License

Enhanced Tribal Card

Enhanced drivers licenses and enhanced tribal cards provide proof of identity and

U.S. citizenship. These documents have been developed by many states to comply

with travel rules under the WHTI. Enhanced drivers licenses and enhanced tribal

cards can be used by U.S. citizens instead of a passport to cross the land border with

Canada or Mexico.

Carrier Information Guide 27

Part III

Trusted Traveler Cards

Global Entry Card

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows

expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United

States at select airports with Global Entry kiosks .

SENTRI Card

The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a U.S. CBP

program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon

arrival in the United States. Participants may enter the United States by using dedicated

primary lanes into the United States at southern land border ports.

NEXUS Card

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing when

entering the United States and Canada. Program members use dedicated processing

lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering

Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian

Preclearance airports. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine

reporting locations

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) is a commercial clearance program for known low-risk

commercial vehicles entering the United States from Canada and Mexico (not pictured).

28 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Permanent Resident Cards

A Lawful Permanent Resident may travel to the United States without a passport with

a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). Cards with expired I-551s may be boarded

without penalty if the card was issued with a 10-year expiration date.

DHS 2017 Version

DHS 2004 Version

DHS 2010 Version

Carrier Information Guide 29

Part III

Permanent Resident Cards, continued

The DOJ 1997 version of the Permanent Resident Card should be expired.

The only valid permanent resident cards used for travel are listed in this guide. If a

passenger presents a permanent resident card not listed in this guide, please contact

a Regional Carrier Liaison Group (RCLG) representative for card authenticity prior to

boarding.

1977 Version is still valid

DOJ 1997 Version

30 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Notice of Action

A conditional resident with an expired resident card (with a two-year expiration date)

may be boarded if also in possession of a Notice of Action (Form I-797). The form

extends the validity of the card for a speciﬁed length of time, generally one year. The

“receipt date” of the form has no effect on the validity of the card. A passport is not

required.

Note: Appearance and data elements of Form I-797 may vary dependent on

issuing ofﬁces from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If unsure

about Form I-797, please contact the RCLG before boarding.

DHS 2017 Version

Carrier Information Guide 31

Part III

ADIT Stamps

A lawful permanent resident (LPR) may re-enter the United States with a valid ADIT

Stamp. The stamp is provided to residents as temporary evidence of their status. The

stamp may be afﬁxed to a passport or to Form I-94. The stamp may be issued by CBP

or USCIS.

CBP Version

USCIS Version

32 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Immigrant Visa

An immigrant visa is issued by the Department of State and will be afﬁxed inside the

passport of the immigrant.

Once an immigrant has been admitted to the United States the immigrant visa

becomes a re-entry document, valid for one year from the endorsement date. The

statement

“UPON ENDORSEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551

EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR” will be printed

in the body of the visa directly above the machine-readable zone. This documentation

is acceptable for travel and employment and is intended to replace the ADIT stamp.

ENDORSEMENT

Carrier Information Guide 33

Part III

Permit to Re-Enter

A lawful permanent resident may re-enter the United States with Permit to Re-Enter

(Form I-327) without possession of a permanent resident card. Absence from the

United States may exceed one year when a Re-Entry Permit is presented.

2007 Version

34 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Refugee Travel Document

A Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) is valid for travel to or from the United

States.

2007 Version

Carrier Information Guide 35

Part III

Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)

Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-766) are issued to lawful temporary

residents of the United States or certain non-immigrants as evidence of their

authorization to accept employment. If the unexpired EAD is annotated on the front of

the card “VALID FOR RE-ENTRY TO THE U.S.,” carriers may board these passengers

presenting this document. The EAD card annotated with “VALID FOR REENTRY TO

U.S.” can be used as a stand-alone document.

Please note: Not all Employment Authorization Documents are valid for travel. If the front

of the card is annotated “NOT VALID FOR RE-ENTRY TO U.S.,” carriers must not board

these passengers unless they have valid U.S. entry documents outlined in this guide.”

36 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Employment Authorization Document

The Combo Card (Form I-766) serves as a combination of evidence of an advance

parole (Form I-512- on page 37) and of authorization for employment in the United

States. If the unexpired EAD is annotated on the front of the card with “SERVES

AS I-512 ADVANCE PAROLE,” carriers may board these passengers presenting this

document. The EAD card annotated with “SERVES AS I-512 ADVANCE PAROLE,” can be

used as a stand-alone document.

Carrier Information Guide 37

Part III

Parole Authorization

A Parole Authorization (Form I-512) allows the bearer to apply for entry or re-entry

to the United States. Anyone presenting this document may be boarded up to the

document’s expiration date. An endorsement of the document by any stamp does not

extend the printed expiration date on the parole letter.

Note: Appearance and data elements of Form I-512 may vary dependent on

issuing ofﬁce

38 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Transportation Letter

A transportation letter may be issued to a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or

refugee at a U.S. embassy or consulate. This letter is sufﬁcient for entry provided the

holder of the letter travels before the expiration date.

Note: Appearance and data elements may vary dependent on issuing ofﬁce.

Letters may be issued by the U.S. Department of State, Immigration and

Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, or Citizenship and

Immigration Services.

Carrier Information Guide 39

Part III

Lincoln Boarding Foils

The Department of State may issue Lincoln boarding foils to U.S. lawful permanent

residents, refugees, asylees, and parolees. The Lincoln boarding foil may be afﬁxed on

a passport or a Department of State Form DS-232 if the bearer does not have a passport.

The foil will have the following information in the annotation block. “NOT A VISA.

FOIL PREPARED AT DHS REQUEST. MAY BE BOARDED WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION

CARRIER LIABILITY.” In addition, the visa class will be annotated as either “LPR” or,

“ZZ” or “YY”, or “PARCIS.”

40 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

Lincoln Visitor Visa

Each visitor to the United States is required to be in possession of a Lincoln visa speciﬁc

to their purpose of travel (unless exempted).

Lincoln Visa

Carrier Information Guide 41

Part III

U.S. Border Crossing Cards

The Border Crossing Card, issued by the U.S. Department of State, is a card that

combines a B1/B2 tourist visa with a Border Crossing Card. The Border Crossing Card

will be issued only to Mexican nationals who are residents in Mexico in areas along the

U.S.-Mexican border.

42 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part III

United Nations Laissez-Passer

The United Nations Laissez-Passer is an acceptable travel document for entry to the

United States providing a class “G4” U.S. visa is afﬁxed within.

Carrier Information Guide 43

Part IV

Part IV:

Visa Classiﬁcations

44 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part IV

Carrier Information Guide 45

Part IV

PART IV: Visa Classiﬁcations

A-1 Govt. ofﬁcial and immediate family

A-2 Govt. ofﬁcial and immediate family

A-3 Employee of A-1 or A-2

B-1 Temporary visitor for business

B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure

C-1 Transiting directly through U.S.

C1/D Combined transit and crewman visa

C-2 Travel to the United Nations

C-3 Govt. ofﬁcial, immediate family/employee transit U.S.

CW-1 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands transitional worker

CW-2 Spouse or child of CW-1

D-1 Crewman departing on same vessel of arrival

D-2 Crewman departing by other vessel or conveyance

E-1 Treaty trader, spouse and children

E-2 Treaty investor, spouse and children

E-2C Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands investor, spouse, or child

E-3 Australian nationals in a specialty occupation

E-3D Spouse of child E-3

E-3R Returning E-3

F-1 Academic student

F-2 Spouse or child of F-1

F-3 Canadian or Mexican national commuter student

G-1 Representatives and employees of international organizations

G-2 Representatives and employees of international organizations

G-3 Representatives to and employees of international organizations

G-4 Representatives to and employees of international organizations

G-5 Employee or member of immediate family of G1-4

H-1B Specialty occupations

H-1B1 Free trade professionals from Chile and Singapore

H-1C Nurse

H-2A Temporary agriculture worker

H-2B Temporary agriculture worker skilled / unskilled

H-2R Returning H-2B

H-3 Industrial trainee

H-4 Spouse or child of H-1 to H-3

I Foreign media representative and immediate family

J-1 Exchange visitor

J-2 Spouse or child of J-1

K-1 Fiancé (e) of U.S. citizen

K-2 Child of K-1

K-3 Spouse of U.S. citizen

K-4 Child of K-3

46 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part IV

L-1 Intra-company transferee

L-1B Specialized knowledge intra-company transferee

L-2 Spouse or child of L-1

M-1 Vocational student or other non-academic student

M-2 Spouse or child of M-1

M-3 Canadian or Mexican national commuter student

N-8 Parent of foreign national classiﬁed as a Special Immigrant

N-9 Child of N-8 or special immigrant

NATO-1 Representatives and families

NATO-2 Representatives and families

NATO-3 Representatives and families

NATO-4 Representatives and families

NATO-5 Employees of NATO 1-4

NATO-6 Employees of NATO 1-4

NATO-7 Employee of NATO 1-6 or immediate family

O-1 Extraordinary ability

O-2 Accompany /assist O-1

O-3 Spouse or child of O-1 to O-2

P-1 Individual or team athletes, entertainment group

P-2 Artists and entertainers in reciprocal exchange programs

P-3 Artists and entertainers in culturally unique program

P-4 Spouse or child of P-1 to P-3

Q-1 International cultural exchange

Q-2 Irish Peace Process Cultural

Q-3 Spouse or child of Q-1 to Q-2

R-1 Religious worker

R-2 Spouse or child of R-1

S Special non-immigrant

T Special non-immigrant

U Special non-immigrant

TN Trade visa for Canada and Mexico, NAFTA

TD Spouse or child of TN

V-1 Spouse of legal permanent resident

V-2 Child of V-1

V-3 Derivative child of V-1 or V-2

WB Visitor for business admitted under Visa Waiver Program

WT Visitor for pleasure admitted under Visa Waiver Program

YY Department of State visa issued in lieu of transportation letter

ZZ Department of State visa issued in lieu of transportation letter

PARCIS United States Citizenship and Immigration Services International

Operations authorization for parole

Carrier Information Guide 47

Part V

Part V:

Fineable Offenses Table

48 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part V

Carrier Information Guide 49

Part V

PART V: Fineable Sections of the

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

The table below includes ﬁnes issued by CBP as according to the INA. Please refer to the

INA and applicable regulations for further elaboration.

INA Sec Circumstance Max.

Fine

234 No advance notice of aircraft arrival or aircraft

landing at unauthorized place.

$3,563

243(c) Failure to remove passenger as ordered [ref. 241(d)

(3)].

Failure to pay passenger removal expenses as

ordered [ref. 241(e)].

Failure to receive back passenger as ordered [ref.

241(d)(1)].

Failure to detain stowaway until inspected [ref.

241(d)(2)].

Failure to pay for stowaway removal as ordered [ref.

241(e)].

Failure to remove stowaway [ref. 241(d)(2)(C)].

$3,005

$7,512

251 ( b)

251 (d)

Failure to report illegally-landed alien crew.

Performance of unauthorized longshore work by

alien crew [ref. 258].

$356

$8,908

254(a)(1)

254(a)(2)

254(a)(3)

Failure to detain alien crewman prior to inspection.

Failure to detain alien crewman as ordered.

Failure to remove alien crewman as ordered.

$5,345

255 Employment on passenger vessels of crewmen with

certain afﬂictions.

$1,782

256 Improper discharge of alien crewman. $5,345

257 Bringing alien to the U.S. as crewman with intent to

evade CBP laws.

$17, 816

271 Failure to prevent unauthorized landing of aliens $5,345

272 Bringing an alien subject to refusal on a health-

related ground.

$5,345

50 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part V

INA Sec Circumstance Max.

Fine

273(a)(1)

273(a)(2)

Bringing an alien without a valid unexpired entry

document.

Bringing an EVUS required alien without an EVUS

authorization

Taking a fee, deposit, or consideration as a condition

of boarding an alien.

Bringing a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) alien

without a valid machine-readable passport (MRP)

after 10/26/04.

Bringing a VWP alien without a digital photograph

in a machine-readable passport after October 26,

2005.

Bringing a VWP alien without a digital photograph

in a MRP that includes an imbedded biometric chip

after October 26, 2005.

Bringing a VWP alien without an ESTA

authorization.

$5,345

Carrier Information Guide 51

Part VI

Part VI:

Quick Reference

Travel Document Charts

52 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

Carrier Information Guide 53

Part VI

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

United States Citizens

require one of the following:

Military ID Card

(with ofﬁcial travel orders)

US Passport

Merchant Mariner Credential

NEXUS Card

(only via Canadian airports)

54 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

United States Citizens

require one of the following (continued):

Emergency Passport

Carrier Information Guide 55

Part VI

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

Canadian and Bermudan Citizens

require one of the following:

NEXUS Card

(only via Canadian airports)

Parole Letter

Passport

This stamp placed inside UK passport indicates Bermuda Citizenship

56 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

Mexican Citizens

require one of the following:

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

Passport and Visa

Passport and Border Crossing Card

Parole Letter Unexpired EAD

Carrier Information Guide 57

Part VI

Lawful Permanent Residents

require one of the following:

Permanent Resident Card

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

Lincoln Boarding Foil Transportation Letter

DHS Travel Document

ADIT Stamp

Immigrant Visa

58 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

VWP Eligible Travelers

require the following:

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

Must have an E-Passport

Carrier Information Guide 59

Part VI

All Others require the following:

VWP Eligible Travelers (continued):

Document Requirements for

ARRIVAL by Air

Parole Letter

Unexpired EAD

Passport and Visa

Taiwan Passport

Greek Passport

Personal ID Number

60 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

Document Requirements for

DEPARTURE by Air

Military ID Card

(with ofﬁcial travel orders)

United States Citizens

require one of the following:

NEXUS Card

Passport

Merchant Mariner Credential

Carrier Information Guide 61

Part VI

Document Requirements for

DEPARTURE by Air

Lawful Permanent Residents

require one of the following:

Passport

Immigrant Visa

Permanent Resident Card

Parole Letter

DHS Travel Document

ADIT Stamps

62 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

Document Requirements for

DEPARTURE by Air

All Others require a passport or Emergency Travel

Document or Removal Order.

Canadian Citizens

require one of the following:

NEXUS Card

Passport

Single Journey Letter

Emergency Travel Document

Carrier Information Guide 63

Part VI

Document Requirements for

DEPARTURE by Air

Examples of documents not acceptable

for entry to or departure from the United States by air:

• Driver’s License

• Birth Certiﬁcate

• Citizenship Certiﬁciate (or Card)

• Naturalization Certiﬁcate

• Matricula Consular

• Cedula

• National Identiﬁcation Card

When in doubt, contact the CBP Regional Carrier Liaison

Group.

64 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

United States Citizens

require one of the following:

Document Requirements by

LAND and SEA

Enhanced Tribal Card

State or Provincial Issued

Enhanced Drivers License

NEXUS CardSENTRI Card

Global Entry Card

US Passport US Passport Card

Carrier Information Guide 65

Part VI

Document Requirements by

LAND and SEA

Canadian Citizens

require one of the following:

NEXUS Card

SENTRI Card Northern Affairs Card

Passport

State or Provincial Issued Enhanced Drivers License

66 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI

Carrier Information Guide 67

Part VII

Part VII:

The Advance Passenger

Information System

68 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VII

Carrier Information Guide 69

Part VII

The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) was developed by the U.S.

government in 1989 as a voluntary program in cooperation with the airline industry.

Mandatory APIS requirements were ﬁrst implemented under the Aviation and

Transportation Security Act of 2001 and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa

Reform Act of 2002. As a result of 9/11 Commission recommendations, Congress

mandated that DHS establish a requirement to receive advance information on

international passengers traveling by air and sea, prior to their departure as required

in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

APIS Final Rule

On April 7, 2005, CBP published the APIS Final Rule. Under the regulations,

carriers were required to electronically transmit passenger and crew APIS data

for commercial ﬂights arriving in and departing from the United States. The rule

established data elements for each traveler including full name, date of birth and

document information. Many of the required data elements are found in the

Machine Readable Zone of a passport.

APIS Pre-Departure and Interactive APIS Quick

Query

On Aug. 23, 2007, CBP published the APIS Pre-Departure Final Rule, with an effective

date of Feb. 19, 2008. The rule amended existing regulations and provides three

options for commercial air carriers to transmit data.

APIS Transmission

Air carriers may transmit predeparture APIS information either:

• Using the APIS Batch Transmission, in interactive or noninteractive form, that

requires air carriers to transmit the complete manifest for all passengers 30

minutes prior to departure.

• Using the APIS Quick Query mode that allows air carriers to transmit in real

time as each passenger checks in for the ﬂight prior to boarding.

For vessels departing from foreign ports bound for the U.S., requirements are to

transmit passenger and crew arrival manifest data between 24 to 96 hours prior to

arrival. Vessel carriers departing the United States are required to transmit APIS data

60 minutes prior to departure.

APIS Document Validation

CBP implemented the Document Validation program that compares APIS data to

document information that CBP has on ﬁle. Through Document Validation, CBP

veriﬁes the APIS data and uses existing interactive communications to advise carriers

if the data is on ﬁle and if the document is valid. This adds additional security and

streamlining of the check-in process.

To ensure accurate matching, the data elements such as the traveler’s name, date of

birth, and document-issuing country and number must be complete and correct.

This can be accomplished by transmitting data that is contained in the Machine

Readable Zone.

For more information, contact your APIS account manager.

70 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VII

Carrier Information Guide 71

Part VIII

Part VIII:

Human Trafﬁcking

72 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VIII

Carrier Information Guide 73

Part VIII

Potential Victims of Human Trafﬁcking

Human trafﬁcking is a global problem that touches every country in the world;

thousands of men, women, and children are trafﬁcked into forced labor situations and

into the sex trade worldwide.

Human trafﬁcking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit someone for

forced labor, domestic servitude or commercial sex. Any minor (under the age of 18)

engaged in commercial sex is a victim of human trafﬁcking according to federal law,

regardless of whether there is force, fraud or coercion. Victims of human trafﬁcking

can be of any age, citizenship, gender or any immigration status.

Human trafﬁckers may use commercial aircraft ﬂights as a means to facilitate their

crime, either bringing victims into the United States or moving them throughout the

country. Aviation personnel interact with thousands of people every day and have the

opportunity to identify suspected human trafﬁcking. The Blue Lightning Initiative, one

of the lines of effort within the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, is

a joint initiative led by CBP and the Department of Transportation. The initiative trains

U.S. commercial airlines and their employees to identify potential human trafﬁcking

victims and notify federal authorities in realtime.

There are many indicators of human trafﬁcking. Below are four indicators that you

may encounter:

• The person has no control of his or her travel and identiﬁcation documents

• The person has no freedom of movement to social interaction

• The person has no logical means of reaching or lacks knowledge of his or her

ﬁnal destination

• A child traveler does not seem to be accompanied by his or her parent or

legitimate guardian

74 U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VIII

If you see any indicators of human trafﬁcking, on the ground or in ﬂight, on U.S.

international or domestic ﬂights, report them as soon as possible to the Immigration

and Customs Enforcement tip line using one of the following:

• Call 866-347-2423 (toll-free in U.S. and Canada), 24 hours a day

• Call 802-872-6199 (tolls apply) in any country in the world, 24 hours a day

• Follow your airline’s policy to report a tip immediately. This could be through

the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System or the Domestic

Event Network.

• In an emergency situation, call 911 or contact local law enforcement authorities

Do not confront the suspected trafﬁcker or suspected victim.

Do not draw unnecessary attention to yourself, the suspected trafﬁcker or victim that

may alert to your suspicions.

Do report your observations.

Do report your tip as a “BLI tip.”

For more additional information on the Blue Lightning Initiative, please visit

www.cbp.gov/border-security/human-trafﬁcking/blue-lightning.

If your airline would like to take part in the Blue Lightning Initiative, please contact

bluecampaign@hq.dhs.gov

trafﬁcking@dot.gov.

For information about the DHS Blue Campaign, please visit

www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Washington, DC 20229

www.cbp.gov

CBP Publication 0757-0219