Sacramento Entry Requirements

Children of all ages need their own passport and visa/ESTA. Minors (under 18) traveling without both parents should carry: (1) Notarized letter of consent from non-traveling parent(s) authorizing travel, including parent contact information and travel dates, (2) Copy of child's birth certificate showing parent names, (3) Custody documents if applicable. Single parents should carry birth certificate or custody papers. CBP officers may question children separately to prevent child abduction. Unaccompanied minors have special airline requirements and may need additional documentation. Children adopted internationally need appropriate immigration documents.

Dogs and cats can enter California but have specific requirements: (1) Rabies vaccination certificate (dogs must be vaccinated at least 30 days before entry; valid for 1-3 years depending on vaccine), (2) Health certificate from licensed veterinarian issued within 10 days of travel, (3) Dogs must appear healthy at inspection - sick animals may be quarantined at owner's expense, (4) California requires dogs be at least 4 months old to enter. Additional requirements for service animals, emotional support animals, and other species. Birds, reptiles, and exotic pets have separate import requirements and may require permits from USDA, CDC, or Fish & Wildlife Service. Airlines have their own pet policies - check before booking. Never bring pets in checked luggage to California due to heat. Consider pet import service for complex situations.

Tourist visitors on B-2 visa or ESTA/VWP cannot extend their stay beyond initial authorization. ESTA/VWP allows maximum 90 days with NO extensions possible - you must leave and cannot change to another visa status while in U.S. B-2 visa holders initially granted 6 months may apply for extension using Form I-539 with USCIS, filing before current status expires (recommend 45 days before expiration). Extension not guaranteed. Overstaying can result in visa cancellation, deportation, and future entry bans. For longer stays, consider: Student visa (F-1) for academic programs, Exchange visitor (J-1) for cultural exchange programs, Work visas (H-1B, L-1, etc.) if sponsored by U.S. employer, or Immigrant visas for permanent residence. Each requires separate application process from home country before travel. Consult immigration attorney for complex situations.

B-1 business visa or VWP/ESTA can be used for business activities including: meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, consulting with business associates, attending conventions. CANNOT work for U.S. company or receive U.S. salary. Bring: (1) Letter from employer explaining business purpose, (2) Invitation from U.S. business/conference organizers, (3) Conference registration if applicable, (4) Proof of business ties to home country. If receiving payment or providing services to U.S. entity, may need work visa (H-1B, L-1, etc.). Frequent business travelers should consider B-1 visa over ESTA for longer validity and fewer questions at entry.

Cannot study on tourist visa or ESTA. Academic study requires F-1 student visa; exchange programs require J-1 visa. Process: (1) Acceptance to SEVP-approved school, (2) School issues Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), (3) Pay SEVIS fee ($350 for F-1, $220 for J-1), (4) Apply for visa at U.S. Embassy/Consulate with I-20/DS-2019, acceptance letter, financial proof, and academic documents, (5) Attend visa interview. Can enter U.S. up to 30 days before program start date. Must maintain full-time enrollment and report address changes to school. F-1 students can work on-campus (limited hours) and may qualify for off-campus work authorization (CPT/OPT). J-1 participants subject to program-specific rules and may have 2-year home residency requirement before returning to U.S.

Passengers transiting through Sacramento (or any U.S. airport) to third countries must clear U.S. immigration even if not leaving airport. VWP nationals can use ESTA for transit. Others need C-1 transit visa or valid B-1/B-2 visa. All passengers must collect checked baggage, clear customs, and re-check bags for connecting flights - no sterile international transit area in U.S. airports. Allow minimum 2-3 hours for international-to-domestic connections, 3-4 hours for international-to-international connections. Transit passengers must meet same entry requirements as visitors (passport validity, visa/ESTA, etc.). Consider overnight stay in Sacramento if tight connection.

U.S. citizens (including dual nationals) must enter and exit the United States using their U.S. passport, regardless of other citizenships held. Cannot use foreign passport or ESTA to enter as visitor. U.S. passport must be valid (no minimum validity required for U.S. citizens). Dual citizens should carry both passports: use U.S. passport for U.S. entry/exit and foreign passport for other countries as needed. Children born in U.S. to foreign parents are U.S. citizens and need U.S. passport to return. Dual citizens with expired U.S. passports should renew before travel or contact U.S. Embassy for emergency passport.

Previous visa overstays, deportations, or immigration violations can affect future entry. Overstays: Less than 180 days may result in visa cancellation; 180+ days triggers 3-year ban; 1 year+ triggers 10-year ban. Previous deportation may result in permanent ban unless waiver obtained. Criminal convictions, especially drug offenses or crimes of moral turpitude, can make you inadmissible. Even minor offenses can cause visa denial. ESTA applications ask about criminal history and prior immigration violations - answer truthfully. False statements result in permanent ban. If you have previous violations, consult immigration attorney before applying for visa or ESTA. Waivers available in some cases but require extensive documentation and processing time.