Portland Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Visa requirements for Portland follow U.S. federal immigration policy. Your nationality determines whether you can enter visa-free, need electronic authorization, or must apply for a traditional visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Citizens of 41 countries can enter the U.S. for tourism or business without a visa if they obtain ESTA approval
Cost: USD $21 per application
Must have an e-passport (electronic passport with chip). Cannot work or study. Cannot extend stay or change status while in the U.S. Travel must be by approved carrier. Previous travel to certain countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen) may disqualify VWP eligibility.
Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa or ESTA for tourism or business visits
Cost: No fee for tourism/business entry
Must have valid Canadian passport. Some purposes (work, study) require appropriate visa. Enhanced Driver's License or NEXUS card may be accepted for land/sea entry but passport is recommended.
All other nationalities must obtain appropriate U.S. visa before travel
Cost: USD $185 for B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa application fee (non-refundable even if denied). Additional reciprocity fees may apply based on nationality.
Must demonstrate strong ties to home country and intent to return. Visa does not guarantee entry - CBP officer makes final determination. Common visa types: B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), F-1 (student), J-1 (exchange visitor), H-1B (work).
Arrival Process
Upon arrival at Portland International Airport (PDX), all international travelers must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The process typically takes 30-90 minutes depending on flight arrivals and staffing levels. Follow signs for 'International Arrivals' or 'Passport Control'.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulates what can be brought into the country. All travelers must declare items acquired abroad, including gifts. Duty-free allowances apply to items for personal use. False declarations can result in fines, seizure of goods, or criminal prosecution.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - including marijuana (illegal federally despite Oregon state law)
- Absinthe containing thujone
- Counterfeit and pirated goods - fake designer items, bootleg media
- Hazardous materials - fireworks, dangerous chemicals, flammable items
- Most fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants - agricultural restrictions to prevent pests and disease
- Raw or undercooked meat products from most countries - due to disease concerns
- Certain animal products - ivory, sea turtle shells, products from endangered species
- Soil or items with soil attached
- Haitian animal hide drums
- Cultural artifacts and antiquities from certain countries
- Switchblade knives and certain weapons
- Obscene materials and publications
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - must be in original containers with prescription label matching passenger name. Carry copy of prescription. Limit to 90-day personal supply
- Firearms and ammunition - must be declared, unloaded, in locked hard-sided container in checked luggage. Subject to federal and state regulations. Permits may be required
- Certain food items - commercially packaged and labeled foods generally allowed. Bakery items, cured cheeses, canned goods usually permitted. Declare all food items
- Alcohol above duty-free limit - subject to duty and federal excise tax
- Biological specimens - require permits from CDC and/or USDA
- Pets and animals - require health certificates, vaccination records, and advance arrangements
- Live plants and seeds - require phytosanitary certificates and USDA permits
- Fish and wildlife products - may require permits under CITES or Endangered Species Act
- Certain electronics and technology - restrictions on some encryption devices and items from embargoed countries
- Monetary instruments over $10,000 - must be declared on FinCEN Form 105
Health Requirements
The United States has specific health requirements for entry, primarily focused on vaccination records for certain travelers and preventing the introduction of communicable diseases.
Required Vaccinations
- COVID-19: As of May 2023, COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for foreign nationals entering the U.S. Check current requirements before travel as policies may change.
- Immigrants and certain long-term visitors: Must show proof of vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, varicella, pneumococcal disease, and influenza). This does not apply to tourists on B-1/B-2 visas or VWP travelers.
- Yellow Fever: Required only if arriving from or having transited through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Proof of vaccination must be presented.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: Ensure you're up to date on routine vaccines including MMR, DTaP, chickenpox, polio, and yearly flu shot
- COVID-19: While no longer required, vaccination is recommended for all travelers
- Hepatitis A and B: Recommended for most travelers
- Tetanus: Ensure booster is current (within 10 years)
Health Insurance
Health insurance is not required for entry to the United States but is STRONGLY recommended. Medical care in the U.S. is extremely expensive and visitors are responsible for all medical costs. A single emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. Purchase comprehensive travel health insurance that covers medical emergencies, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Verify your policy covers the U.S. and that coverage limits are adequate (minimum $100,000 recommended, $500,000+ preferred). Medicare and many foreign health plans do not cover care in the U.S.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children of all ages, including infants, must have their own passport. Children under 18 traveling alone or with only one parent should carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent(s) or legal guardian authorizing the child to travel. The letter should include: child's name and birth date, parent/guardian names and contact information, travel dates and destination, and signature with date. CBP officers may question children traveling without both parents to prevent child abduction. Divorced or separated parents should carry custody documents. Children on VWP must have their own ESTA approval. Adopted children should carry adoption papers.
Dogs and cats: Must appear healthy upon arrival. Dogs must have valid rabies vaccination certificate (administered at least 30 days before arrival, valid for duration stated on certificate). Puppies under 12 weeks exempt from rabies requirement but may face additional restrictions. CDC temporarily suspended dog imports from high-risk rabies countries - check current list. Cats have no federal vaccination requirement but must appear healthy. Birds: Require import permit from USDA and quarantine. Other animals: Contact CDC and USDA for specific requirements. Service animals: Must meet same requirements as pets. Oregon state law may have additional requirements. Airlines have specific pet policies - verify before booking. Pet must be declared on customs form.
Tourist visas and VWP do not permit work or study. To stay longer than authorized or to work/study, you must apply for appropriate visa before traveling or change status while in the U.S. (not possible on VWP). Common options: F-1 visa for students (requires acceptance to SEVP-approved school), J-1 for exchange visitors, H-1B for specialty workers (requires employer sponsorship), L-1 for intracompany transfers, O-1 for individuals with extraordinary ability. Overstaying your authorized period, even by one day, can result in visa cancellation, removal, and bars to future entry (3-year bar for overstays of 180+ days, 10-year bar for overstays of 1+ year). Apply for extensions before your authorized stay expires. Contact USCIS (www.uscis.gov) for information on changing status or extending stay.
B-1 visa or VWP can be used for business activities including: meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, consulting with business associates, attending trade shows, and taking orders. You CANNOT work for a U.S. company, receive salary from U.S. source (except expense reimbursement), or engage in productive employment. Carry documentation: letter from employer explaining purpose of visit, invitation from U.S. company, conference registration, business cards. Some business activities may require different visa types (E-1/E-2 for treaty traders/investors, H-1B for employment). When in doubt, consult with immigration attorney or U.S. consulate.
Previous visa denials, overstays, deportations, or criminal convictions can affect admissibility to the U.S. Even minor offenses or very old convictions may be grounds for inadmissibility. Crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, multiple criminal convictions, prostitution, human trafficking, and serious criminal activity can result in permanent bars to entry. If you have any criminal history or previous immigration violations, consult with an immigration attorney before applying for visa or ESTA. You may need to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility. Lying about criminal history or violations can result in permanent ban from U.S. DUI convictions may affect admissibility depending on circumstances.
If you hold citizenship in both a VWP country and a non-VWP country, you must enter the U.S. using your VWP passport and valid ESTA. U.S. citizens, even dual nationals, must enter and exit the United States using their U.S. passport. This applies even if your other passport is more convenient or from a VWP country. Failure to use U.S. passport when required can result in delays and complications. If you're a U.S. citizen traveling on foreign passport, you may face penalties and will need to prove U.S. citizenship to enter.
Foreign journalists and media crew working on assignment in the U.S. generally require I visa (media visa) rather than B-1/B-2 or VWP. This includes reporters, film crews, editors, and similar occupations engaged in their profession. Documentary filmmakers may need I visa depending on nature of project. Freelance journalists should consult with U.S. consulate about appropriate visa category. Using B-2 or VWP for journalism activities can result in deportation and future visa denials. Social media influencers creating content for commercial purposes may also need appropriate visa authorization.