Also known as: POE
Definition
The airport, border crossing, or seaport where you're inspected and officially admitted into the U.S. by a CBP officer.
A port of entry is any place where you can officially enter the United States — airports, land border crossings, and seaports. It's where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspect you, check your documents, and decide whether to admit you.
Having a valid visa doesn't guarantee entry. The CBP officer at the port of entry has the final say. They can ask you questions, request additional documents, and in some cases, deny you entry altogether — even with an approved visa in your passport.
Your port of entry experience creates your I-94 record — the document that determines how long you can stay. The CBP officer decides your admission class and authorized stay period right there at the border. Getting this right matters for everything that follows.
related terms
Your arrival/departure record — it tracks when you entered the U.S. and how long you're allowed to stay. Now mostly electronic.
Entering the U.S. through an official port of entry after being inspected by an immigration officer — critical for many green card paths.
The federal agency that guards U.S. borders — responsible for preventing illegal crossings, smuggling, and human trafficking between ports of entry.
Crossing into the U.S. without going through an official checkpoint — this can seriously limit your future immigration options.
How long you're allowed to stay in the U.S. under your visa or status — check your I-94 to see your specific date.
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