Boise Entry Requirements

Children of all ages, including infants, must have their own passport. Children under 18 traveling without both parents should carry notarized letter of consent from non-traveling parent(s) including: parent contact information, travel dates, destination, and companion details. Single parents should carry child's birth certificate showing sole custody or custody documentation. Adopted children should carry adoption papers. CBP may question children separately to prevent child abduction. For children traveling alone (unaccompanied minors), airlines have specific programs and requirements - contact airline in advance. Be prepared to prove relationship to child (birth certificate, adoption papers, custody documents).

Dogs and cats can enter the U.S. but requirements vary by origin country. General requirements: Valid rabies vaccination certificate (dogs; cats if from high-risk country), health certificate issued by licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel, pet must appear healthy upon arrival, microchip recommended. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries have additional requirements including CDC Dog Import Permit and must arrive at approved airports (Boise is NOT an approved port for high-risk dog imports - use Seattle, San Francisco, or other approved airport). Birds require import permit and quarantine. Other animals have varying restrictions. Check CDC website for current pet import requirements and USDA APHIS for animal health certificates. Airlines have separate pet policies - confirm in advance. Service animals have different rules and documentation requirements under ADA.

Tourist visas (B-2) and Visa Waiver Program allow maximum 90 days (VWP) or typically 6 months (B-2 visa). VWP stays CANNOT be extended. B-2 visa holders can apply for extension using Form I-539 with USCIS, filed before current authorization expires, with fees and supporting documentation. Approval not guaranteed. For longer stays, consider: F-1 student visa (requires enrollment in approved school), J-1 exchange visitor (requires program sponsor), H-1B work visa (requires employer sponsor), other appropriate visa category. Overstaying your authorized period, even by one day, can result in ban from future U.S. entry (3-year ban for overstays of 180+ days, 10-year ban for 1+ year). Working on tourist visa is illegal and grounds for deportation and future entry ban. Consult immigration attorney for complex situations.

Business visitors on B-1 visa or VWP can engage in limited business activities: attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, consulting with business associates. CANNOT work for U.S. employer, receive U.S. salary, or engage in productive employment. Bring supporting documents: letter from employer explaining purpose, conference registration, business meeting invitations, proof of foreign employment. Payment must come from abroad. For actual employment, H-1B or other work visa required. Business visitors should be prepared to clearly explain their activities and prove they will depart after business concluded.

Students must have F-1 visa and Form I-20 from SEVP-certified school. Exchange visitors need J-1 visa and Form DS-2019 from program sponsor. Apply for visa after receiving I-20/DS-2019. Pay SEVIS fee before visa interview. Can enter U.S. up to 30 days before program start date. Must maintain full-time enrollment and make normal progress. Work restrictions apply (on-campus work allowed with restrictions, off-campus requires authorization). Report address changes to school and USCIS. Maintain valid passport and visa status. Some J-1 visitors subject to 2-year home residency requirement before returning on certain visa types.

Previous overstays, visa denials, deportations, or immigration violations can affect future entry. Overstays result in automatic visa cancellation and possible entry bans. Previous deportation typically results in minimum 5-year ban (longer for certain violations). Even old violations appear in databases. Be honest on visa applications and with CBP officers about previous issues. Lying about immigration history is fraud and grounds for permanent inadmissibility. Some violations can be waived with proper applications and legal assistance. Consult immigration attorney if you have previous violations before attempting to enter U.S. CBP has access to extensive databases and will discover previous issues.

Criminal convictions, even minor ones or from long ago, can make you inadmissible to the U.S. Crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, and multiple convictions are particularly problematic. ESTA applications ask about criminal history - answer truthfully. False answers discovered later result in entry ban. Even arrests without conviction may cause issues. Some criminal grounds of inadmissibility can be waived with proper legal process. If you have any criminal history, consult immigration attorney before applying for ESTA/visa or attempting entry. DUI/DWI convictions can cause inadmissibility. Cannabis use or involvement (even in countries/states where legal) can result in lifetime ban from U.S. CBP officers can search social media and devices for evidence of inadmissible activities.