Dear Customers,
As of March 16, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began allowing certain travelers the opportunity to file a Satisfactory Departure request directly at one of the airports that offer this service, due to travel disruptions related to COVID-2019.
If a traveler is unable to reach the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before their admission period expires, they should go to a CBP office directly at the airport.
Satisfactory Departure requests should generally be made to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, in extraordinary circumstances, CBP may adjudicate them.
Under Satisfactory Departure, a traveler may remain in the country for an additional 30 days if there is an emergency situation that prevents them from leaving the United States within their authorized period of stay. As long as the traveler’s visa stay is within the 30-day window, their stay will not be considered a violation of U.S. immigration law for overstaying. At this time, CBP is only adjudicating applications filed by travelers who were admitted to the country under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)/Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) through major U.S. airports of entry, including Miami International Airport (MIA). Contact the Inspections office to request a Satisfactory Departure request for up to 30 days:
CBP MIA: Phone: 305-526-2840 / Fax: 305-526-2847 / cbpmia@cbp.dhs.gov
Travelers must provide their names, dates of birth, and passport information at the time of request. They must also provide their flight itineraries, showing their original flight information as well as their updated travel itineraries.
It is unclear if or when CBP will implement a similar process at other airports, or if additional Satisfactory Departure periods will be available for travelers who are unable to depart the United States beyond the 30-day window due to COVID-19 and its related travel disruptions. We will provide updated information as soon as it becomes available.
