San Jose Entry Requirements

Children, including infants, must have their own passport and visa/ESTA if required by nationality. Minors under 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or with non-parents should carry notarized consent letter from absent parent(s) authorizing travel. Include parent contact information and copy of parent's ID. CBP may question children traveling without both parents to prevent child abduction. Divorced parents should carry custody documents. Unaccompanied minors require airline-specific procedures and advance arrangements.

Dogs and cats can enter the U.S. from most countries with valid rabies vaccination certificate (administered at least 30 days before arrival, valid for duration stated by vaccine manufacturer, usually 1-3 years). Puppies/kittens under 4 months may have different requirements. CDC requires dogs entering from high-risk rabies countries to have additional documentation and may need to arrive at specific airports. California requires additional health certificates for some animals. Birds require USDA import permit and 30-day quarantine. Service animals have specific documentation requirements. Advance planning (6-8 weeks) essential. Check CDC, USDA, and California Department of Food and Agriculture requirements.

Tourist visas and VWP entries cannot be extended for longer stays. VWP visitors (ESTA) cannot extend, change status, or adjust status - must leave before 90 days expire. B-1/B-2 visa holders may apply to extend stay by filing Form I-539 with USCIS before current authorized stay expires (processing takes several months, can remain while pending if filed timely). For longer stays, must apply for appropriate visa: F-1 for study, H-1B for work, etc. Overstaying can result in future visa denials, bans from re-entry (3-year ban for 180+ days overstay, 10-year ban for 1+ year), and immigration consequences. Track your authorized stay period on your I-94 record (accessible at cbp.gov/I94).

B-1 visa or VWP (ESTA) allows business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, and consultations. Cannot perform productive work, be employed by U.S. entity, or receive payment from U.S. sources (except expense reimbursement). Carry documentation: invitation letter from U.S. company, conference registration, meeting agenda, proof of employment abroad. If performing services requiring work visa (H-1B, L-1, etc.), entering on tourist status is visa fraud. Journalists require I visa, not tourist visa.

Cannot enter on VWP or tourist visa if primary purpose is study. Must obtain F-1 (academic study) or M-1 (vocational study) visa, or J-1 (exchange visitor) visa. Requires acceptance by SEVP-certified school and Form I-20 (F/M) or DS-2019 (J-1). Can enter U.S. up to 30 days before program start date. Must maintain full-time enrollment and comply with program requirements. Limited work authorization available (on-campus, CPT, OPT). Dependents need F-2/M-2/J-2 visas.

Previous visa denials, overstays, deportations, or unlawful presence can affect eligibility for entry. VWP ineligible if ever denied U.S. visa or overstayed previous visit. Must apply for visa at embassy/consulate and may face additional scrutiny or permanent bars to entry. Criminal history, including DUI, can result in inadmissibility. Some violations require waivers (Form I-601). Consult immigration attorney if you have previous violations. Attempting to enter with immigration violations can result in immediate removal and multi-year bans.

International travelers connecting through San Jose to another U.S. destination must clear immigration and customs at San Jose (first U.S. port of entry). Must collect checked baggage, clear customs, then re-check bags for connecting flight. Allow minimum 2-3 hours for international connections. Travelers connecting to international destinations (leaving U.S.) clear exit immigration at final U.S. departure point. Transit without visa (TWOV) not available in U.S. - all travelers must have valid visa/ESTA even for connections.