United States Immigration what it’s like and what they ask for

Are you going to immigrate to the United States? After the trouble of getting an American visa, we think it’s over, but your entry into the country is not guaranteed.

Sim, the immigration officer has the sovereign right to decide who enters and who returns home. But you don’t need to worry (so much): if everything is ok, you’ll most likely get in without any problems.

This text is a complete guide to immigration in the United States: how to pass, the most frequently asked questions, what NOT to do, what to bring and how to make the process easier.

United States Immigration and Form 6059B

United States immigration begins during the flight. On the plane, before landing, All passengers receive form 6059B Customs Declaration.

You must fill in:

• your name;
• date of birth;
• passport;
• flight number;
• Country of Residence;
• stopovers before arriving in the USA;
• address that will be in the USA (hotel name or address in the first city)
• Purpose of the trip (tourism, vacation, study, etc.).

Furthermore, Form 6059B Customs Declaration has a series of questions with a “yes” or “no” option: the amount of money you carry, the goods you carry, and food and other prohibited things that may be in your suitcase.

Be careful not to erase or scribble the form. If you fill in something wrong, ask for another one. Anyone traveling as a family must fill out just one form, with the names of all travelers. When going through immigration, everyone must be together.

If your traveling companions are friends, lovers or people who are not related to you, then fill out different forms and go through immigration separately, just verbally informing yourself, asking yourself, that you are with those people.

Immigration in the United States: arrival at the airport

When you get off the plane, look for the “Non-US Citizens” sign.

If you have been to the United States more than once since 2008 or have a B1/B2 or D visa, then you can go to the Automated Passport Control (APC) part. You will go through an electronic control, much faster and easier – and anyone who has access to this control does not need to fill out the physical form because they must do it on the system screen.

When do you pick up the suitcase?

You will only collect your bag and/or go to the boarding gate for another flight after passing through immigration.

Immigration queues are often long and the baggage search process is more complex and can be time-consuming. So be careful not to get distracted and lose your connection.

What to do to avoid being blocked by US immigration?

When it is your turn to speak to the immigration agent, give him your passport and also form 6059B, which can be placed on the visa page.

Has the passport with your American visa expired? No problem! Hand over both, the old passport, with the visa, and the new one, which will be stamped.

Only hand over other documents if the officer asks for them, but leave them separately and in an easily accessible place:

• Printed hotel reservations (or invitation letter)
• Return ticket
• Bank or credit card statement with sufficient value for the period of stay
• Some cash
• Any tour reservations you have made in advance (for example, Disney tickets or car rental vouchers).
• Travel insurance. Although it is not mandatory, it is recommended that you take out one and take a copy of the policy.

In this regard, we recommend Seguros Promo, a search engine that brings together more than twelve insurance policies and allows you to choose the option with the best cost-benefit for you and also a discount coupon for our readers: 360MERIDIANOS05

What NOT to do during immigration?

Don’t use your cell phone in the immigration area, don’t take photos, don’t talk loudly to your companions, don’t listen to music, don’t eat and don’t lounge around after you pass.

Don’t answer what you weren’t asked and don’t lie – be careful not to contradict yourself!

As obvious as it may seem, it is worth highlighting: do not overdo the alcoholic drinks offered on the flight.

What is the minimum amount to pass US immigration?

There is no mandatory value, so the question is to have common sense. A good average is $50 per day. Take part of this in cash and never rely solely on cards and electronic money.

What questions do they ask at US immigration?

The immigration agent needs to make sure you are there for the right reason and this will probably be the first question.

• What is the reason for your trip?
• How many days of travel?
• Which cities will you visit?
• What is your work in Brazil?
• How many dollars are you taking for this trip?
• Who are you traveling with?
• Do you have any friends or family members who live in the United States?

If everything goes well, you will receive a stamp in your passport authorizing your entry and you will also receive form 6059B back, which will be handed over to another officer upon leaving the airport, after passing through customs, who can also ask you questions.

The most common problems with immigration in the United States

The most common problem is if immigration suspects that you are not traveling to the United States for tourism.

I’ve heard stories of journalists and photographers who travel to cover an event and have problems with it, as the tourist visa does not include this type of activity. The only way to avoid the problem is to travel with the correct visa.

From time to time reports appear of people who had problems entering the United States because of stamps from certain countries in their passports, especially those that do not have a very friendly relationship or simply because they have a Muslim majority.

There is no written rule to bar people who have visited these countries and these occurrences seem to be a one-off problem, generated more by the agent’s ignorance than by a national guideline.

The question of whether you have any friends or family in the US can also generate unnecessary extra questions. If it’s not someone very close or obviously related to you (and you haven’t mentioned that person in your visa application), it’s best to say no.

The importance of travel insurance

Travel insurance is not mandatory for immigration, but it is an very important part of your trip – like car, home or life insurance.

A medical consultation in the USA costs less than 400 dollars and pharmacies do not sell medicines without a prescription.

Meanwhile, travel insurance will only cost you around R$15 per day. Some travel insurance suggestions for the United States:

• Affinity 60 has coverage up to $60,000 and the best cost/benefit in 2023.
• GTA 75 Euromax has coverage of up to 75 thousand dollarswhich is great!
• The Intermac 60 Silver also has great coverage and a competitive price.

Buy the best cost-benefit travel insurance for you and even a discount coupon for our readers: 360MERIDIANOS05

Minors unaccompanied by immigration guardians

Ideally, in the absence of their parents, minors should travel with a travel agency, study group or relatives, carrying all the required documentation.

If the child or teenager decides to go alone, they must have a notarized parental authorization and a public power of attorney with a specific purpose that passes responsibility for the minor to an adult who will accompany or host the child in the USA.

It is also important that this document is in English and is recognized by an American consulate in Brazil before the trip.

Children without legal guardians may be placed in government custody.

What if you are sent to the small room?

Being taken to the small room is not synonymous with immigration denial, but you will be questioned more carefully.

Stay calm and answer questions directly, truthfully and confidently. Show any document requested. If everything is correct, you are most likely to enter the country.

What happens if I am blocked from US immigration?

You will have to return to Brazil. While your return flight is arranged, you will stay at the airport without going through immigration. This process may take a few days.

Best travel chip for the United States

Having a cell phone chip that works abroad makes life easier: you can call Uber, look at the map, communicate with relatives, activate insurance in case of emergency and, of course, post on social media.

There are several chip options on the market. For the United States, we recommend Viaje Conectado, with plans starting at $33.

Frequently asked questions about immigration to the United States

Can I be barred from the USA even with a visa?

Yes. The visa authorizes you to board the plane, but the immigration agent has the sovereign decision to allow you entry (or not).

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