Nova Credit is a cross-border credit bureau that allows newcomers to apply for U.S. credit cards, phone plans, and loans using their foreign credit history.
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Every year over 76 million people visit the United States, and many of these visitors require a visa to enter the country. When applying for a visa, you will likely be asked about your travel history.
Fortunately, the U.S. tracks the travel history of all non-residents visiting the country, keeping records of reasons, frequency, and dates of the previous visits.By checking your travel history before you begin planning your travels to enter the U.S., you can simplify the paperwork associated with your journey.
This article discusses how to check your U.S. travel history online quickly and easily.
Checking your U.S. travel history is now easier and faster
The U. S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) now has a web page that nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. can use to view their international arrival and departure records over the last five years.
Previously, nonimmigrant travelers needed to file requests from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in order to access travel records. The online availability of this information now speeds up the process for travelers as it lets them view the required data, including the ports they used to enter and exit the U.S. and various flight information.
If you intend on traveling to the U.S. and need your previous travel record to apply for your visa, you can learn more about the online process below.
What information is needed to access your U.S. travel history?
In order to access your travel history online, you will need to supply some basic information including:
Full name (first and last)
Date of birth
Country of citizenship
Passport number
Have all of this information prepared beforehand, if possible. This may make it easier for when you'll need to request your U.S. travel history.
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Steps to check your U.S. travel history online
Once you have the information above ready, you can proceed to the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection homepage
As previously mentioned, the USCBP now allows nonimmigrant visitors who wish to travel to the U.S. to access their arrival and departure records online. To access the USCBP homepage, click here.
Step 2: Select the "Need a History of Your Arrivals & Departures?" option
Once you have opened the USCBP homepage, you will see several different options, including:
Visiting the U.S. & Arriving via a Land Border
Already Visiting & Need Proof of Visitor Status
Need A History of Your Arrivals & Departures
How Much Longer May I Remain in the U.S.
Click on the “Need a history of your arrivals & departures” option.
Step 3: Provide your consent
After you select the “Need a history of your arrivals & departures” option, a security notification will automatically appear on your screen. To proceed, you will need to select “consent and continue”, which is located in a box on the lower right-hand side of the pop-up.
Read everything on the notification before you continue so you are fully aware of the restrictions and procedures that come with requesting your travel history.
Step 4: Input your personal information
Once you have provided your consent, you will be automatically directed to a page where you can supply your personal information. This includes the information that was mentioned above, including:
Full name (first and last)
Date of birth
Country of citizenship
Passport number
After you have entered the requested information and verified that the information is accurate and true, select the “next” option in the box on the lower right-hand side of the screen.
Step 5: View your travel history
After you have submitted the requested personal information and selected “next”, you will be able to automatically see the results of your travel history to the U.S. The information should include your arrival date, the port of entry, as well as your departure date and the port of exit.
You can also access a copy of your I-94 by clicking on the “Get this traveler’s most recent I-94” on the bottom of the screen.
Step 6: Review the information
Take the time to review the information that is presented. Note that the information is not considered an “official” form. If you notice that something is inaccurate or you believe that information about your travel history may be missing, contact the USCBP directly. You can do so by sending an email correspondence requesting the correct information related to your U.S. travel.
Step 7: Print the information
You can print the information pertaining to your U.S. travel history for your personal records by clicking on the “print” option that’s located on the bottom right-hand side of the screen. While the information presented on the USCBP webpage is intended for public consumption and is not considered official, you can use the information presented on the web page to access an overview of your travel history and determine the requirements for your visa application and/or travel to the U.S.
The takeaway
If you are a nonimmigrant who is planning on traveling to the U.S., be sure to check your travel history to the country before you make arrangements. While getting a visa to the U.S. is often a long and extensive process, improvements in technology are making it easier than ever to access and submit documents.
If you’re traveling to the U.S. to work, study, or live for a longer period of time, you may be able to use Nova Credit to use your foreign credit history from certain countries to apply for great credit cards, phone plans, and more products using your hard-earned credit history from back home—rather than starting from scratch as you build a U.S. credit history.
Currently, Nova Credit serves individuals coming from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K.
Put your foreign credit score to work in the United States
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The ultimate guide to the F-1 visa
The ultimate guide to the H-1B visa
The ultimate guide to the J-1 visa
The ultimate guide to the L-1 visa
The ultimate guide to the O-1 visa
How to check your USCIS case status
How to build credit after moving to the US
How to get a social security card