Flying private to the United States: permits, paperwork and handling
the United States requires foreign private and business aircraft to obtain authorization from US CBP and FAA before landing or overflying. This guide covers what you need, how far in advance to ask, and which airports accept international arrivals, using live data from the i-Handler airport directory, sourced from the country AIP.
Authority: US CBP and FAA · Reviewed: 2026-09-27
Permits: who issues them and when to apply
Landing and overflight permits for foreign civil aircraft are handled by US CBP and FAA. Private non-revenue flights do not need a landing permit, but US CBP requirements are strict: eAPIS passenger data transmitted before departure to and from the US, arrival at a CBP airport of entry with advance notice, and a current CBP user fee decal for the aircraft.
Reference the approved permit in your ICAO flight plan (item 18) and file the plan only once the permit is confirmed. Private non-revenue and charter (revenue) flights follow different tracks; charter requires additional commercial documentation, so start earlier.
Crews and passengers need valid US visas or ESTA eligibility with a carrier agreement; private flights are not part of the Visa Waiver Program by default. Overflight of the US without landing still requires eAPIS in some cases; check CBP guidance.
Documents you will be asked for
Aircraft: certificate of airworthiness, certificate of registration, international insurance certificate with coverage valid for the United States, and noise certificate.
Crew: pilot licenses and current medical certificates.
Passengers: passports (6 months validity is the safe standard) and a General Declaration (GENDEC) for arrival.
The i-Handler App generates the GENDEC, passenger manifests and the ICAO flight plan from your trip data, so the paperwork above is produced in minutes instead of retyped per flight.
Airports of entry
The US has hundreds of CBP airports of entry; along the southern tier, common ones for Latin America traffic include Houston Hobby (KHOU), Fort Lauderdale (KFLL/KFXE), Miami (KMIA/KOPF), Brownsville (KBRO) and San Juan (TJSJ).
Plan your first landing at an airport of entry. Other fields may show customs in the AIP data, but use them as onward stops after clearing in, unless the authority authorizes otherwise. The live table below marks entry, customs, mandatory handling, slots and fuel per airport.
the United States airports at a glance (live from the i-Handler directory)
| Airport | Entry | Customs | Handling | Slots | Fuel | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAPFNaples, FL/Naples Municipal Airport | No | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| KBPTBeaumont/Port Arthur, TX/Jack Brooks Regional Airport | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A | 0 |
| KCIUSault Ste Marie, MI/Chippewa County International Airport | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A | 0 |
| KCLTCharlotte, NC/Charlotte Douglas International Airport | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A JET-A++ | 0 |
| KGONGroton, CT/Groton-New London Airport | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A | 0 |
| KGTFGreat Falls, MT/Great Falls International Airport | Yes | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A | 0 |
| KLFTLafayette, LA/Lafayette Regional / Paul Fournet Field | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A JET-A+ | 0 |
| KMRHBeaufort, NC/Michael J Smith Field | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A1+ | 0 |
| KPHXPhoenix, AZ/Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A | 0 |
| PAFAFairbanks, AK/Fairbanks International Airport | No | Yes | No | No | 100LL JET-A1 | 0 |
| TISTCyril E King - Charlotte Amalie | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| TISXChristiansted St Croix/Henry E Rohlsen | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| TJABArecibo/Antonio Nery Juarbe Pol | No | No | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| TJBQAguadilla/Rafael Hernandez (Borinquen) | No | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| TJCPIsla de Culebra/Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport | No | Yes | No | No | - | 0 |
| TJIGFernando Luis Ribas Dominicci (Isla Grande) | No | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| TJMZMayaguez/Eugenio Maria De Hostos | No | Yes | No | No | NO FUEL | 0 |
| TJPSPonce/Mercedita | No | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| TJRVJose Aponte de la Torre | No | Yes | No | No | JET | 0 |
| TJSJSan Juan/Isla Verde/Luis Munoz Marin Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| TJVQIsla De Vieques/Antonio Rivera Rodriquez | No | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
Live data from the i-Handler directory; each ICAO links to the airport page with contacts, frequencies and live METAR/TAF.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landing permit for a private flight to the United States?
Yes. Foreign private and business aircraft need authorization from US CBP and FAA. Private non-revenue flights do not need a landing permit, but US CBP requirements are strict: eAPIS passenger data transmitted before departure to and from the US, arrival at a CBP airport of entry with advance notice, and a current CBP user fee decal for the aircraft. The permit goes in item 18 of your ICAO flight plan.
Which airports in the United States accept international arrivals?
The US has hundreds of CBP airports of entry; along the southern tier, common ones for Latin America traffic include Houston Hobby (KHOU), Fort Lauderdale (KFLL/KFXE), Miami (KMIA/KOPF), Brownsville (KBRO) and San Juan (TJSJ). The table on this page shows entry, customs and handling status per airport, live from the i-Handler directory.
How do I find a handler or FBO in the United States?
The i-Handler airport directory lists ground handlers and FBOs per airport with phone numbers, and pilots contact them by chat through the free i-Handler App.
What paperwork does a flight to the United States require?
Aircraft certificates, insurance, crew licenses, passports and a General Declaration. The i-Handler App generates the GENDEC, manifests and ICAO flight plan automatically from your trip.
Do I need eAPIS for a private flight to the US?
Yes. Electronic passenger and crew data must be transmitted to CBP before departure to and from the United States, and you must arrive at a CBP airport of entry with the required advance notice and a current user fee decal.
Do the paperwork once, not per flight
The free i-Handler App organizes the trip, generates the GENDEC, manifests and ICAO flight plan, and connects you by chat with the handlers and FBOs listed at your destination. Create your pilot account at i-handler.app.
Create your free pilot accountLast reviewed 2026-09-27 against operational sources. Requirements change: always confirm current rules with US CBP and FAA or your handler before the flight. This page is operational guidance, not legal advice.