The “US-Visit” program was created to address the challenges of inspecting and admitting millions of people who wish to visit the U.S. every year. US-Visit applies to most people who wish to come to the U.S. as nonimmigrants (i.e., they seek temporary admission for a specific purpose). Nonimmigrant classes include tourists, visitors coming for business purposes, and students. The US-Visit program typically begins overseas, at the U.S. consular office that issues a person’s visa. There, biometric information is collected in the form of digital fingerscans and photographs. The information is checked against a database of known criminals and suspected terrorists.

When the visitor arrives at a port of entry in the U.S., the biometric information is checked to make sure that the person entering the country is the same person who received the visa. Officials still review a traveler’s passport and visa, and ask questions about the intended stay. Eventually, all visitors leaving the country will also be asked to check out using US-Visit. In late 2005, the US-Visit exit procedures had been implemented on a limited basis.

There is no limit to the number of nonimmigrant admissions each year, although some limits are placed on the number of temporary workers who may enter. Nearly 34 million nonimmigrant visitors were admitted in 2000, the highest recorded number ever. The number fell after the September 11 terrorist attacks.