Department of Homeland Security Unveils (US-VISIT) Program
The new U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program is designed to enhance the security of the United States without slowing the system for legitimate visitors. A website for the program includes downloadable brochures, fact sheets and other materials to educate the traveling public about this new system. Here are the key points you need to know:
- As of January 5, 2004, the US-VISIT entry process will be in effect at 115 U.S. airports with international arrivals. US-VISIT will also be in effect at 14 seaports that handle cruise traffic, including Miami.
- The entry process will apply ONLY to individuals traveling with U.S.-issued visas; that is, they have obtained a visa from a U.S. consular post abroad. It does not apply to visitors entering under the visa waiver program.
- During the course of the interview at passport control, the inspection officer will ask the traveler to place their index fingers, in sequence, on an electronic scanning device and take a digital photograph. Fingerprints will be taken of individuals from ages 14 to 79. The fingerprints will be immediately checked against the databases for previous US-VISIT enrollment and against high-risk watch lists. The whole process is expected to take no more time on average than the current standard inspection.
- The US-VISIT exit process is still in development, but, pending funding, will consist of self-service, ATM-type kiosks located initially at the 30 airports with the largest international traffic and the seaport of Miami. The US-VISIT kiosks at airports will be placed after passenger screening points and look similar to the self-service ticketing kiosks of airlines. The passenger will be asked to place their passport in the machine for scanning, and then again, scan his/her fingerprints to make the match to the arrival record. The process would take less than a minute.
- Visitors are not REQUIRED to exit at one of the airports at which the US-VISIT exit kiosks are located, but if they do exit through such an airport they will be required to do the exit check process.
- Testing of the process will be conducted in November and December at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta.
- Initially, no records will be retained; the process will only be timed and field tested. Later, actual passenger records will be created to test the databases and technology.
To learn more about the US-VISIT program, visit the Department of Homeland Security website