What to Expect When Visiting the US brochure

US-VISIT, Biometrics and You

Protecting Your Privacy

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT
program provides U.S. visa-issuing posts and ports of
entry with the biometric technology that enables the
U.S. government to establish and verify your identity
when you visit the United States. Immigration officials
use this information to help them make visa-issuance
and admission decisions.

US‑VISIT upholds the privacy of individuals while
helping protect our national borders and immigration
system. Personal information collected by US‑VISIT
will be used only for the purposes for which it was
collected, unless specifically authorized or mandated
by law.

Additionally, your biometrics—digital fingerprints
and photographs—are collected to help protect your
identity in the event your travel documents are lost or
stolen. Unlike names and dates of birth, which can be
changed, your biometrics are unique and are virtually
impossible to forge. Collecting biometrics also helps
the U.S. government prevent people from using
fraudulent documents to enter the country illegally.

Questions relating to personal information and the
US-VISIT program may be directed to the Department
of Homeland Security’s Traveler Redress Inquiry
Program (DHS TRIP) at www.dhs.gov/trip.
You may also direct similar inquiries to the US-VISIT
Privacy Officer, US-VISIT Program, Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528 or at
usvisitprivacy@dhs.gov.

The use of biometrics helps US-VISIT achieve these
equally important goals:
• Enhance the security of our citizens and visitors
• Facilitate legitimate travel and trade
• Ensure the integrity of the immigration system
• Protect the privacy of our visitors

www.dhs.gov/us-visit
Form DHS-M-1-English (08/07)

What to Expect When
Visiting the United States

Upon Arrival

The United States is a nation where diversity is celebrated
and people from all over the world are welcome.
The information below will help guide you through
the biometric collection process as it is used at U.S.
visa-issuing posts and U.S. airports and seaports.
Biometric procedures—the collection of digital fingerprints and
photographs—apply to international travelers holding a non-U.S.
passport or visa.

Upon Applying for a Visa
If you need a visa, you must
go to your closest U.S.
visa-issuing post for an interview
as part of the application process.
During this interview, you can
expect a Department of State
consular officer to:
• Review your visa application and supporting documents
• Collect your biometrics (up to 10 digital fingerprints
and a digital photograph)

A Customs and Border Protection officer will guide
you through the inspection process. Have your
travel documents ready, such as your passport
and Form I-94 or Form I-94W.

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The officer will review your travel documents and
ask you questions, such as why you are visiting and
how long you will stay.

For the complete visa application process, visit
www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.

En Route to the United States
by Air and Sea
Airline or ship representatives
will give you a white Form
I-94 (if you are a visa holder)
or green Form I-94W (if you
are a Visa Waiver Program
traveler) to fill out before you
arrive in the United States.

The officer will scan up to 10 of your fingerprints
and take your photograph with a digital camera.

Upon Departure
When you leave the
country, you should
return your Form I-94
or Form I-94W to
an airline or ship
representative. By
returning your form,
you have completed the U.S. entry-exit process.
You do not currently
have to check out at a
biometric exit kiosk as
DHS has completed the
pilot test of biometric
exit procedures. However,
at a date to be announced
in the future, you will be required to provide
biometrics when departing the United States.

To Learn More...
• Visit
 www.dhs.gov/us-visit for more about US-VISIT
• Send an e-mail to subscribeusvisit@dhs.gov to receive

electronic updates about US-VISIT
• Visit www.cbp.gov for more about U.S. Customs and

Border Protection
• Visit www.travel.state.gov for more about the

U.S. Department of State
The officer will tell you when you have completed
the process.