U.S. Customs Entry Questions

Published by Mei in Resources | Updated 2024

If you are coming to the United States on a visa, then you may expect to be asked a series of questions upon your arrival at the airport. Every immigrant or non-immigrant individual will have to pass through primary on the TECS-based primary system to conduct inspections of travelers entering the United States and may further require a secondary inspection, where the officers will check documents and information in detail. If the CBP questions are not satisfied and you are not deported you may be required to attend a deferred inspection at one of 70 locations within the USA.

Most immigration and Port of Entry points are at the end of your journey – you will be exhausted from the trans-ocean journey, however, you need to spruce up and put on a smile to meet the agents.

Customs and Border Protection have the power to refuse the visa given to you by the USCIS and approved by the consulate. It is very important that on your first entry that you are prepared and aware.

What Questions Do US Customs Agents Ask at the Border?

Upon arriving at the Customs and Border Protection having inspected your travel documents presented (e.g., passport, visa, enhanced driver’s license), collected biometrics, and an internet search, you may expect to be asked the following questions:

Have you been on a farm?

You may be subject to an agricultural check if you state you were recently on a farm. This question is usually triggered if your country has been flagged for a rampant animal disease or you are found to have certain food or produce items from certain countries in your luggage. To avoid $10,000 in fines and penalties please don’t bring auntie that apple from the garden that she has been craving.

Why Are You Visiting the United States?

The answer that you give needs to match the visa that you have. For instance, if you have a K1 fiancé visa, then you will have to inform Customs and Border Protection that you intend to marry your fiancé. Similarly, if you are on a B-2 visa, you should say that you are planning to visit. If you are entering for the first time on your O visa or EB1 green card you should have your application package with you and say you are coming into work on a contract. This should be the corresponding contract to your date of entry from your application packet. As the EB1 green card is permanent residence you should ensure they know that you are moving to live in the USA. If they believe you are entering temporarily there may be an issue.

You need to be straightforward in what you say, lest you raise a red flag. If you are on a visitor visa and say at border control that you are looking for a job, you’ll be boarded on the next flight home. Through your answer, you must show that you are planning to stay true to the laws of the U.S.

Where Will You Be Staying While in the U.S.?

If you are planning to stay in the United States on a temporary basis, be prepared to answer questions about your travel arrangements. CBP officers will want to know where you will be staying, who you will be visiting, and what you plan to do while you are in the country. They may also ask about your financial situation and your ties to your home country. This is to ensure that you are not a security risk and that you have a legitimate reason for visiting the United States.

If you do not have a clear plan for your stay, or if you do not have the necessary financial resources, you may be denied entry to the United States. It is important to be prepared for these questions and to have documentation to support your answers. This could include a copy of your itinerary, a letter from your employer or school, or a bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds to support your stay.

Who Will You Be Visiting While in the U.S.?

If you are planning to visit a friend or relative, be sure to have their contact information handy. The officer may also ask you about the purpose of your visit and how long you plan to stay. If you are not sure who you will be visiting, the officer may ask you to provide a list of possible contacts.

If you are on a K-1 visa, the officer will want to know when your wedding is scheduled and where it will be held. This is because the K-1 visa is a visa for a fiancé(e) to enter the United States to marry their U.S. citizen spouse. The officer wants to make sure that you are not planning to overstay your visa or use it for unauthorized purposes. On an O visa or EB1 you should have your employers information at the ready.

How Long Will You Be Staying in the U.S.?

CBP officers will want to know how long you plan to stay in the United States, especially if you are on a temporary visa. Have your return flight information printed. For example, if you are an F-1 student, the officer will want to know when your studies are scheduled to end. This is to ensure that you are not planning to overstay your visa or use it for unauthorized purposes. If you are on an O-1 visa, know the end date of the visa in your passport.

It is important to have documentation to support your answers to this question. This could include a copy of your visa, return flight information, your I-20 form, a contract from your agent or manager or employer, or a letter from your school. Here is an example of how you can answer this question:

• Officer: “How long do you plan to stay in the United States?”
• You: “I am an F-1 student and my studies are scheduled to end on May 15, 2025.
• You: “I am an O-1 visa holder I have an agency contract for the next 3 years until 2027.

Before you leave confirm that they have given you permission to stay the full term of your visa in the USA.

How Much Money Do You Have Available for This Trip?

CBP officers need to confirm that you have the financial resources to support yourself while you are in the United States. This is especially important if you are a tourist or if you are visiting the United States on a temporary basis. The officer wants to make sure that you are not a security risk and that you will not become a burden on the U.S. government. You may get asked this is you are looking tatty or are from a 3rd world country. Try to look your best before going to immigration. There are usually restrooms just after landing use them to freshen up.

If you are asked about your budget, be prepared to provide an estimate of how much money you have available. You should also be prepared to show proof of your financial resources, such as a bank statement or a credit card statement, even a letter from a parent stating that they have the means to financially support you. If you are receiving money from a third party, such as a family member or an employer, be prepared to provide documentation to support this with a contract etc.

The officer may also ask you about your plans for how you will spend your money while you are in the United States. This is to ensure that you have a realistic budget and that you are not planning to spend more money than you have available.

Here is an example of how you can answer this question:

• Officer: “What is your budget for your stay in the United States?”
• You: “I have $5,000 saved up and I will be receiving $6,000 per month from my employer while I am in the United States. I plan to spend $300 per day on food, transportation, and activities.”

They want to reduce the circumstances in which a tourist may need emergency financial assistance.

Who Is Paying for This Trip?

CBP officers want to know who is paying for your trip to the United States, especially if you are staying for a longer period of time. This is because they want to make sure that you have the financial resources to support yourself while you are in the United States and that you are not a security risk, many international students experience difficulties in the US.

If you are receiving financial support from someone else, such as a family member, an employer, or a government agency, be prepared to provide documentation to support this. This could include a letter from the person or organization providing the financial support, a bank statement showing that the money has been transferred, or a copy of your visa that shows that you are authorized to receive financial support from a third party.

Here is an example of how you can answer this question:

• Officer: “Who is paying for your trip to the United States?”
• You: “My parents are paying for my trip. I have a letter from them stating that they will be providing me with $5,000 per month while I am in the United States.”
• You: “Here’s my work contract starting in 3 days time. I will receive payment per month of work.”

Have You Ever Visited the U.S. Before? If So, How Long Did You Stay?

CBP officers will need to know your immigration history, including any previous visits to the United States. This is especially important if you have ever overstayed your visa or if you have any other immigration violations. The officer wants to make sure that you are not a security risk and that you are not planning to overstay your visa again.

If you have ever overstayed your visa, be honest with the officer. Do not lie about your immigration history, as this could lead to further questioning or even denial of entry and you risk being deported. The officer will need to note your previous overstay in their records, regardless of whether you are currently planning to overstay your visa again.

Here is an example of how you can answer this question:

• Officer: “Have you ever overstayed your visa in the United States?”
• You: “Yes, I overstayed my visa for two weeks in 2022. I had a medical emergency and I was unable to return to my home country on time. I have since paid the fine and I am not planning to overstay my visa again. Here’s evidence of my return flight”

Over the last couple of years, leaving out the statistics over the pandemic, unauthorized visa overstays were on average 10.5 million! If you have a prior record you are a risk and they might not feel like it’s a good idea to let you in. 

Previously before the improved system many people had issues at the borders as the US Customs had no record that the person had previously left the US and it showed as overstay. You must prove that you were working in your home country and that you have not been in the US. If you are leaving the US on a visa and you previously overstayed, you may also be subject to a cursory inspection to confirm that you are not overstaying your visa again.

Further Questioning

The first inspection is when you first arrive at the border and present your documents to the border patrol officer. The second inspection is a more thorough inspection that may involve a search of your belongings and questioning about your travel plans.

It is simply a way for the border patrol to investigate any concerns they may have about your admissibility to the United States. Secondary inspection is usually conducted in a separate room usually close-by and may involve more questions about your travel plans, your financial situation, or your criminal history. Many with similar names to someone on the no fly list have had issues. You may be questioned by two officers. The border patrol officer may also search your belongings more thoroughly and they may ask to see your mobile device. This usually means you might be brought to a nearby room.

If the border patrol officer is satisfied with your answers and there are no concerns about your admissibility, you will be allowed to enter the United States. However, if the border patrol officer has any further concerns, you may be denied entry or placed in removal proceedings (deported).

If you are a student the CBP officer may issue a Form I-515A “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” which authorizes temporary admission into the United States for 30 days while you obtain and submit the necessary documentation to SEVP. Work with your school without delay to submit the proper documentation required by the Form I-515A.

What Rights Do Foreign Nationals Have at the U.S. Border?

As a foreign national entering the United States, you have the right to due process and equal protection under the law, but there are some limitations to your rights at the border. For example, you do not have the right to contact an attorney during the first and second inspection, and border officials do not need your permission to search your bags or ask you questions. This applies to U.S. citizens as well, so you should not feel offended if they feel the need to check your luggage.

If you are placed in secondary inspection, you do not have the right to refuse.

Be Prepared for:

At the Customs and Borders Protection, you should also be prepared for circumstances such as:

Long Lines and Delays

Unless you have some travel package that allows you priority, you may have to wait a long time to be screened. Don’t make any promises that you’ll meet up with people “immediately after the plane lands.” Also you may be going through pre-clearnace in another country eg Ireland. Normally you go through immigration on landing first in the US eg. you land in Philadelphia and fly on to Los Angeles you must make sure you have allotted enough to make your connection allowing for immigration etc.

Luggage Search

You can also expect your luggage to be searched at the CPB entry point. Don’t bring in any questionable or illegal items, and don’t bring any items that might contradict your visa eg if you are on a tourist visa, and your roller suitcase has a resumes, portfolio etc. An actor was caught with a business card for a car dealership with his name on it. He was deported for working outside the terms of his visa. Many musicians have been turned around for a suitcase of demos/flyers for a New York gig etc.

Medical Screening

A staggering 20 million dead from COVID-19. This number doesn’t encompass those on lung waitlists struggling to survive, and even more suffering with long COVID symptoms. As you know Medical screenings were put in place to stop the spread. If you were coming from a risk area, you were expected to go through a screening to prove you are not sick or contagious or were barred from entry. An example would be the negative test visitors had to provide during the COVID-19 pandemic. See the above link for lesson learned to be applied if/when this happens again. You may be coming from a country where there is a suspected SARS outbreak, Ebola etc. you may be required to answer further questions.

Final Thoughts

The questions during the screening process are fairly standard but are important, nonetheless. You must be be honest and follow the laws of the U.S. Otherwise, you may end up boarding the plane back home, simply because they found you suspicious. The screening process is designed to protect the United States from harm. Understanding the above should ensure you are not lead away for further questioning or even deportation.

If you had an issue previously message us. If you have any questions or encounter any issues that we have left out let us know – it is important that others are aware. Email here!

—

All articles are written from our experiences and the experiences of our colleagues. These are fantastic visas and we wish to empower others in applying. This information is for general guidance only and shouldn’t be considered legal advice.