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, [email protected].

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 

 Part I
Part I:
Required Documents For
Entry To The United States

Carrier Information Guide v

 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.

Carrier Information Guide 1

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)

2  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
• 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.

Carrier Information Guide 3

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

*A
 rrival 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.

4  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 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
Carrier Information Guide 5
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.

6  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 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
*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

** 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 http://
esta.cbp.dhs.gov for more information.

Carrier Information Guide 7

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 1
Czech Republic Liechtenstein South Korea
Denmark Lithuania Spain
Estonia Luxembourg Sweden
Finland Malta Switzerland
France Monaco Taiwan 5
Germany 3 Netherlands United Kingdom 2
Greece 4 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.

8  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 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

* I ncluding 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.

Carrier Information Guide 9

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.

10  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 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 Guyana Panama
Angola Haiti Papua New Guinea
Antigua and Barbuda Hong Kong Paraguay
Antilles (Certificates of Peru
Argentina Identity and Philippines
Armenia Passports) Poland
Aruba Hungary Portugal
Australia Iceland Qatar
Austria India Romania
Bahamas, The Indonesia Russia
Barbados Ireland San Marino
Belgium Israel Saudi Arabia
Belize Italy Serbia
Bermuda Jamaica Seychelles
Bolivia Japan Singapore
Bosnia-Herzegovina Kosovo Slovakia
Brazil Latvia Slovenia
Bulgaria Lebanon South Africa
Burma Libya South Korea
Canada Liechtenstein Spain
Chile Lithuania Sri Lanka
Colombia Luxembourg St. Kitts and Nevis
Costa Rica Macau St. Lucia
Cote d’Ivoire Macedonia St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Croatia Madagascar Suriname
Cyprus Maldives Sweden
Czech Republic Malaysia Switzerland
Denmark Malta Taiwan
Dominica Mauritania Thailand
Dominican Republic Mauritius Trinidad and Tobago
Egypt Mexico Tunisia
El Salvador Monaco Turkey
Estonia Mongolia Tuvalu
Ethiopia Montenegro Ukraine
Fiji Mozambique United Arab Emirates
Finland Netherlands United Kingdom
France Nepal Uruguay
Gabon New Zealand Uzbekistan
Georgia Nicaragua (for all Vatican (Holy See)
Germany passports) Venezuela
Greece Nigeria Zimbabwe
Grenada Norway
Guatemala Pakistan
Guinea Palau

Carrier Information Guide 11

Part I
E. LISTING OF ADJACENT ISLANDS
Anguilla Haiti
Antigua Jamaica
Aruba Marie-Galante
Bahamas Martinique
Barbados Miquelon
Barbuda Montserrat
Bermuda Saba
Bonaire St. Barthelemy
British Virgin Islands St. Eustatius
Cayman Islands St. Kitts-Nevis
Cuba * St. Lucia
Curacao St. Maarten / St. Martin
Dominica St. Pierre
Dominican Republic St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Grenada Trinidad and Tobago
Guadeloupe Turks and Caicos Islands

*C
 uba 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.

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.

12  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 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
CFR 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
CFR 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.

Carrier Information Guide 13

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
at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/. An I-94 website printout is
the same as the paper form I-94.

14  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Part II
Part II:
Required Documents
For Departure By Air

Carrier Information Guide 15

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.

Part II
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.

Carrier Information Guide 17

 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
Part II

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.

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.

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.

NOTE: Destination countries may require additional

documentation.

Single Journey Letter

18  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Part III
Part III:
U.S. Travel Document Examples

Carrier Information Guide 19

Part III

20  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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

Part III
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

Carrier Information Guide 21

 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).
Part III

E-Passport

22  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

United States Passports

Part III
1998 Version

Emergency Passport

Carrier Information Guide 23

 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.
Part III

24  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

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.)

2. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial)

REQUEST FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL
3. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
1. DATE OF REQUEST

4. POSITION TITLE AND GRADE/RATING

(YYYYMMDD)

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

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
(5 U.S.C. 552a)

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): Used for reviewing, approving, and accounting for official travel.
Part III
ROUTINE USE(S): None.
5. LOCATION OF PERMANENT DUTY STATION (PDS) 6. ORGANIZATIONAL ELEMENT 7. DUTY PHONE NUMBER
(Include Area Code) DISCLOSURE: Voluntary; however, failure to provide the requested information may delay or preclude timely authorization of your travel
request.

8. TYPE OF ORDERS 9. TDY PURPOSE (See JTR, Appendix H) 10a. APPROX. NO. OF TDY DAYS b. PROCEED DATE 16. REMARKS (Continued) (Use this space for special requirements, leave, excess baggage, accommodations, registration fees, etc.)
(Including travel time) (YYYYMMDD)

11. ITINERARY VARIATION AUTHORIZED

12. TRANSPORTATION MODE

a. COMMERCIAL b. GOVERNMENT c. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
RAIL AIR BUS SHIP AIR VEHICLE SHIP CAR TAXI OTHER PRIVATELY OWNED CONVEYANCE (Check one)
RENTAL
RATE PER MILE:
ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT
AS DETERMINED BY APPROPRIATE TRANSPORTATION OFFICER (Overseas Travel only) 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. a. PER DIEM AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH JTR. b. OTHER RATE OF PER DIEM (Specify)
14. ESTIMATED COST 15. ADVANCE
a. PER DIEM b. TRAVEL c. OTHER d. TOTAL AUTHORIZED
$ $ $ $ 0.00 $
16. REMARKS (Use this space for special requirements, leave, excess baggage, accommodations, registration fees, etc.)

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

DD FORM 1610, JAN 2001 PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE.

DD FORM 1610 (BACK), JAN 2001
Reset Reset

Military Orders Forms DD-1610

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

Carrier Information Guide 25

 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.
Part III

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.

26  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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 .

Part III
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).

Carrier Information Guide 27

 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.
Part III

DHS 2017 Version

DHS 2010 Version

DHS 2004 Version

28  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Permanent Resident Cards, continued

DOJ 1997 Version

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

1977 Version is still valid

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.

Carrier Information Guide 29

 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.
Part III

DHS 2017 Version

Note: A
 ppearance 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.

30  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

Part III
CBP Version

USCIS Version

Carrier Information Guide 31

 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
Part III

32  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

Part III

2007 Version

Carrier Information Guide 33

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

2007 Version

34  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

Part III

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.”

Carrier Information Guide 35

 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.
Part III

36  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

Part III

Note: A
 ppearance and data elements of Form I-512 may vary dependent on
issuing office

Carrier Information Guide 37

 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.
Part III

Note: A
 ppearance 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.

38  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.”

Part III

Carrier Information Guide 39

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

40  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

Part III

Carrier Information Guide 41

 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.
Part III

42  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Part IV
Part IV:
Visa Classifications

Carrier Information Guide 43

Part IV

44  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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

Part IV
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

Carrier Information Guide 45

 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
Part IV

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

46  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part V:
Part V
Fineable Offenses Table

Carrier Information Guide 47

Part V

48  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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 $3,563
landing at unauthorized place.
243(c) Failure to remove passenger as ordered [ref. 241(d) $3,005
(3)].

Failure to pay passenger removal expenses as $3,005

ordered [ref. 241(e)].

Failure to receive back passenger as ordered [ref. $3,005

241(d)(1)].

Failure to detain stowaway until inspected [ref. $3,005

241(d)(2)].

Failure to pay for stowaway removal as ordered [ref. $3,005

241(e)].

Failure to remove stowaway [ref. 241(d)(2)(C)]. $7,512

251 (b) Failure to report illegally-landed alien crew. $356

Part V
251 (d) Performance of unauthorized longshore work by
alien crew [ref. 258]. $8,908
254(a)(1) Failure to detain alien crewman prior to inspection. $5,345

254(a)(2) Failure to detain alien crewman as ordered. $5,345

254(a)(3) Failure to remove alien crewman as ordered. $5,345

255 Employment on passenger vessels of crewmen with $1,782

certain afflictions.
256 Improper discharge of alien crewman. $5,345
257 Bringing alien to the U.S. as crewman with intent to $17,816
evade CBP laws.
271 Failure to prevent unauthorized landing of aliens $5,345
272 Bringing an alien subject to refusal on a health- $5,345
related ground.

Carrier Information Guide 49

 INA Sec Circumstance Max.
Fine
273(a)(1) Bringing an alien without a valid unexpired entry $5,345
document.

Bringing an EVUS required alien without an EVUS $5,345

authorization

273(a)(2) Taking a fee, deposit, or consideration as a condition $5,345

of boarding an alien.

Bringing a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) alien $5,345

without a valid machine-readable passport (MRP)
after 10/26/04.

Bringing a VWP alien without a digital photograph $5,345

in a machine-readable passport after October 26,
2005.

Bringing a VWP alien without a digital photograph $5,345

in a MRP that includes an imbedded biometric chip
after October 26, 2005.

Bringing a VWP alien without an ESTA $5,345

authorization.
Part V

50  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VI:
Quick Reference
Travel Document Charts
Part VI

Carrier Information Guide 51

Part VI

52  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

United States Citizens

require one of the following:

US Passport Military ID Card

(with official travel orders)

Part VI

Merchant Mariner Credential

NEXUS Card
(only via Canadian airports)

Carrier Information Guide 53

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

United States Citizens

require one of the following (continued):

Emergency Passport
Part VI

54  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

Canadian and Bermudan Citizens

require one of the following:

Passport

Part VI
This stamp placed inside UK passport indicates Bermuda Citizenship

NEXUS Card
(only via Canadian airports)

Parole Letter

Carrier Information Guide 55

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

Mexican Citizens
require one of the following:

Passport and Visa

Part VI

Passport and Border Crossing Card

Parole Letter Unexpired EAD

56  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

Lawful Permanent Residents

require one of the following:

ADIT Stamp

DHS Travel Document Immigrant Visa

Part VI

Permanent Resident Card

Lincoln Boarding Foil Transportation Letter

Carrier Information Guide 57

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

VWP Eligible Travelers

require the following:
Part VI

Must have an E-Passport

58  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Document Requirements for
ARRIVAL by Air

VWP Eligible Travelers (continued):

Greek Passport

Taiwan Passport

Personal ID Number

All Others require the following:

Passport and Visa

Part VI

OR

Unexpired EAD

Parole Letter

Carrier Information Guide 59

 Document Requirements for
DEPARTURE by Air

United States Citizens

require one of the following:

Passport

NEXUS Card
Part VI

Military ID Card
(with official travel orders)

Merchant Mariner Credential

60  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Document Requirements for
DEPARTURE by Air

Lawful Permanent Residents

require one of the following:

Permanent Resident Card

Passport
Immigrant Visa

DHS Travel Document Parole Letter

Part VI

ADIT Stamps

Carrier Information Guide 61

 Document Requirements for
DEPARTURE by Air

Canadian Citizens
require one of the following:

NEXUS Card

Passport

All Others require a passport or Emergency Travel

Document or Removal Order.
Part VI

Passport Single Journey Letter

Emergency Travel Document

62  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 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.

Part VI

Carrier Information Guide 63

 Document Requirements by
LAND and SEA

United States Citizens

require one of the following:

US Passport US Passport Card

SENTRI Card NEXUS Card

Part VI

State or Provincial Issued

Enhanced Drivers License Enhanced Tribal Card

Global Entry Card

64  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 Document Requirements by
LAND and SEA

Canadian Citizens
require one of the following:

NEXUS Card

Passport

Part VI

SENTRI Card Northern Affairs Card

State or Provincial Issued Enhanced Drivers License

Carrier Information Guide 65

Part VI

66  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VII:
The Advance Passenger
Information System
Part VII

Carrier Information Guide 67

Part VII

68  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.
Part VII

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.

Carrier Information Guide 69

Part VII

70  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Part VIII:
Human Trafficking

Part VIII

Carrier Information Guide 71

Part VIII

72  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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
Part VIII

• 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
Carrier Information Guide 73
 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
[email protected] or [email protected].

For information about the DHS Blue Campaign, please visit

www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign.
Part VIII

74  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, DC 20229

www.cbp.gov
CBP Publication 0757-0219