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CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
Travelling to the United States –
Crossing the border
Arriving in the United States by Air - Advanced Passenger Information
System (APIS) Requirements
As part of heightened security and terrorism concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is
required to collect information on passengers arriving by air in the United States in accordance with
the Enhanced Border Security Entry Reform Act (2002). Passengers departing from Canada are required
to provide Advance Passenger Information (API) before they check-in or they will be unable to fly. As
of May 18, 2009, private aircraft pilots are also required to provide API to the CBP.
This legislation requires passengers, arriving by air, to provide:
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Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
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Gender
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Date of Birth
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Nationality
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Country of residence
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Travel document type (normally passport)
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Travel document number (expiry date and country of issue for passport)
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Address of the first night spent in the U.S.
This information is required on both the airline’s electronic passenger manifest (which is sent in
advance of the flight’s departure to U.S. Department of Homeland Security) as well as on the paper
U.S. customs form.
Examples of acceptable answers to the question of the address of the first night in the United States:
f
f
Visiting the United States and you have a known address where you are staying:
Street Address:
1300 Pennsylvania Ave
City:
Washington
State:
D.C.,
ZIP Code:
20229
f
f
Visiting the United States but you do not know the complete address of the hotel where you
will be staying. CBP will accept the hotel name and city.
Street Address:
Downtown Hotel Hilton (be as specific as possible)
City:
Houston
State:
TX
ZIP Code:
99999
f
f
Transiting directly to a cruise ship from the airport on the same day. CBP will accept “transit to
cruise line” and the vessel name in the address field. The city of cruise embarkation should be
included.
Street Address:
Transit to MV Princess of the Seas
City:
Miami
State:
FL
ZIP Code:
99999
f
f
Picking up a rental car for touring and you have not yet booked your first night’s accommoda-
tion. CBP will accept your itinerary if your first night’s stay is not known when you arrive.
Street Address:
Touring the Grand Canyon
City:
Grand Canyon
State:
AZ
ZIP Code:
99999