Checking into the US got much simpler in 2018! Among other things, the new system is available for all nationalities, not just US citizens. Further, you do NOT have to go anywhere to set it up.
The new system is called the CBP ROAM app. We’ve used it twice, coming back from the Bahamas.
Three things to know:
- This is available everywhere in the US (including territories) now. CBP prefers that you use the app rather than show up in person.
- You do not need to be a US citizen or even a green card holder. Any nationality or mix of nationalities may use the ROAM app.
- The boat does not need to be US owned; it may be registered/documented in any country.
You only need to have the ROAM app on one electronic device for everyone on the boat. That is, each person does NOT need a separate account, and if you travel on more than one boat (say go to the Bahamas first on your boat, then two months later go on a friend’s boat), it’s okay to be listed on more than one device.
Allow about 10 minutes per person to initially register plus 10 minutes for the boat. It’s likely to go faster.
- Download the app to a smartphone (iPhone or Android), iPad or Android tablet; there is not a Windows version yet. NOTE that you have to search on CBP ROAM and not simply “ROAM.”
- When you first open the app, it will prompt you to go to login.gov (if you already have a login.gov account, you can just login).
- Fill out your information at login.gov from within the app. You’ll need access to your email account.
- When asked for your phone number, use one that you can access from wherever you are completing the online forms. Several verification numbers will be sent to you via text or a phone call. Unfortunately, if you do not have some “phone number” (international is okay), you cannot set it up.
- VERY IMPORTANT: Save that “personal key” that they give you (they make a big deal about you printing it or writing it down — you won’t miss it). You’ll need this if your phone number changes, such as if you initially register with a phone number from another country and then need to check in using a phone with a US phone number.
- Collect the info you’ll need to register with the ROAM app:
- Everyone’s passport (you’ll have to take a photo of the passport page, so you need the passport and not just the number).
- If individuals have Trusted Traveler, SVRS or LBO numbers, it’s good but not required to enter them.
- Boat name, make/model/length, state of registration, state registration number or CG documentation number, and DTOPS sticker number (if you do not have a DTOPS sticker — aka “user fee decal” which is required for any type of customs check-in, even in-person — you can purchase it with a credit card from within the ROAM app, so you may need your credit card).
- Login to the ROAM app (the option comes up automatically after completing the login.gov stuff).
- Travelers: enter the info for each person who you expect to have on board when you enter the US. It’s okay to have people listed who may not be on the trip (say from past or future trips) as you select who is on a particular entry to the US later in the “Trip” info.
- Modes of Travel: Fill in your boat info (and if you do any other forms of non-commercial cross-border travel, you can enter those conveyances too). Buy your DTOPS sticker if you don’t already have a valid one.
- Create Trip: Do this after you have arrived back in US waters and are ready to check in. Apparently, if you do it before leaving another country the app will simply crash and not even give you an error message. Select all travelers who are aboard (add anyone you didn’t add in Step 8), select the vessel, and fill in the rest of the details. IMPORTANT: You need to have at least a couple of bars of cell signal as you are going to have to have a video conference.
- If you used a phone number that is not good in the US (that is, is not a US number and one which does not allow you to get a call in the US) to set up your ROAM account, you’ll first have to go to “login.gov/manage account” and change the phone number to a number that can receive calls and texts in the US. When you try to login to do so, you won’t be able to get a text for the two-factor authentication, so you’ll have to login with your “personal key” from step 2. Then go into the account settings and change the phone number to your US one. While on that screen, get a new personal key and write it down!
- At the end of the “Create Trip” process, you’ll get a screen that says your information is being submitted and will tell you to wait for an agent. Just hang on. People are reporting that it takes anywhere from “just a couple of minutes” to “about 10 minutes” and then a CBP agent comes on with a video chat. Everyone on board needs to be available to be seen on screen and will have to answer a few questions. Boats are reporting that it’s fast and painless.
- You’ll get a text on the phone saying that you and the boat are cleared in (obviously if there is any problem or question, you may be required to appear in person). Keep this in case anyone questions you!
If you have questions, the best way to get answers is the toll-free CBP check-in number (local offices don’t have a lot of info on this program yet): 800-827-2851
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Wally says
Excellent report, and thank you Carolyn… Two questions. One, what do foreign boaters such as myself do about getting our cruising permit? Secondly did you say above that the app wants access to your email? Or did I misunderstand that?
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know about getting the cruising permit. The first part — setting you up on login.gov — uses a 2-factor authentication by sending to your email, so it needs your email address for that. After that, the app does its 2-factor authentication via text.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I just got off the phone (3PM EDT, 4/25/18) and got the following information for foreign nationals: Yes, you can check in with the app. If you have to have a visa stamped, the agent will explain the process and the time line in the video conference (but you’ll have more time than if you don’t check in with the app). Cruising Permits will continued to be faxed to you after you check in — either to your own fax number (get one with eFax and it’ll come to your email as a PDF) or to a marina or a UPS Store, etc.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I just got off the phone (3PM EDT, 4/25/18) and got the following information for foreign nationals: Yes, you can check in with the app. If you have to have a visa stamped, the agent will explain the process and the time line in the video conference (but you’ll have more time than if you don’t check in with the app). Cruising Permits will continued to be faxed to you after you check in — either to your own fax number (get one with eFax and it’ll come to your email as a PDF) or to a marina or a UPS Store, etc.
The app doesn’t really want “access” to your email, but will send the first authentication email to it, so it needs the address and you need to be where you can check your email.
Bob Geurts says
Doesn’t work at all. Date of issue and date of expiry not accepted. Takes a lot of time, without success.
Carolyn Shearlock says
What location were you trying from? Were you able to call in then? How did you end up checking in? And were you US citizens or foreign?
Bob Geurts says
We called in in Ft. Lauderdale, had to go to the customs office. We’re foreign.
Karen Bowen says
If I read this correctly……the boat must be an American registered boat and we must have a valid American cell phone number onboard to use this app. So as a Canadian on a Canadian boat, we can’t use this system, but if a guest on an American boat, then we could.
Carolyn Shearlock says
No, the boat does NOT have to be American according to both CPB agents I spoke with. And if your Canadian cell phone can receive a call in the US, it’s fine too. So as a Canadian on a Canadian boat, you’re fine as long as you have a phone you can get a call on.
Alan Dwan says
What if you do not have a current cell phone that works in the US?
I do have one that works in Fiji.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I told the CBP agents that this was the big problem with the way they have the 2 factor authentication set up. If you could have the sent via email, you could use WiFi from a shore business to check in. Since it is a text, it’s a problem. If you are lucky, maybe someone in the anchorage/marina would let you use their phone, but I think it’s more likely you’ll have to do a personal appearance. But it’s good feedback to give CBP. They are trying to figure out where it doesn’t work for people.
Anonymous says
Great info! Thank you!
Mike Blackburn says
Great info. Do you have to file a float plan with CBP before you use it??
Carolyn Shearlock says
No, you just fill out the trip info once you’re in US waters and ready to check in. Very simple!
Anonymous says
Thanks for clarifying and great info
Pam says
We just tried to use this coming back to VA from Caribbean. After watching the screen say our file was being reviewed by an agent please hold for a video call for over an hour, we finally got a text saying this service was not available in VA. I then called the number in the article above. It’s not for ROAM, it’s to the Small Vessal Reporting office in NY and that office only deals with crossings from Canada.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Hmm. When I called that number they said it was nationwide — and I talked to someone in Minnesota once and Florida another time. Seems like they are still ironing it out.
Maurits Groen says
Very nice, does it also cover the port to port permits? which a foreigner needs to get even after arrival in the states?
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know since I’m a US citizen. But I’ll call them again and ask that, as well as about getting the cruising permit that Wally asked about.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I just got off the phone (3PM EDT, 4/25/18) and got the following information for foreign nationals: Yes, you can check in with the app. If you have to have a visa stamped, the agent will explain the process and the time line in the video conference (but you’ll have more time than if you don’t check in with the app). Cruising Permits will continued to be faxed to you after you check in — either to your own fax number (get one with eFax and it’ll come to your email as a PDF) or to a marina or a UPS Store, etc.
Anonymous says
We used the app last week and it was wonderful! So easy and so quick!
The Boat Galley says
Great to hear. Thanks for the first-hand report.
Donna says
We just had our interview last week for our SVRS. CBP told us they were rolling out this new procedure, but knew nothing about it – thank you Carolyn for all the details! Our problem with the new system is – we do not own a smartphone. So I’m not sure what we should do since we already are in the cue under the old system and are leaving for the Bahamas tomorrow – be back in July.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know if they’ll let you call in or if you’ll have to go in person when you return. The agents that I’ve spoken to say they are still working bugs out on a daily basis, so by July they may realize that they need a way to work with people who don’t own a smartphone. Go, have fun, and call in when you get back and see what they say!
Donna says
We are on our way! Planning to be at South Riding Rocks tonight : )
Thank you for all your help and invaluable info!
Robin Scurr says
I’m curious as to where people have used the new process to check in? Great Lakes, Florida, etc? Can this be used when returning to any US location by private boat?
Carolyn Shearlock says
That is what the CBP agents tell me. ANYWHERE in the US.
Reg says
We are Canadians travelling on a provincially registered Canadian sailboat, and we just used the ROAM app to check-in to the USA (we landed in Cape Canaveral) after being in the Bahamas for about a month and a half. Using the app was non-intuitive, in particular entering information about people, It will be easier the second time around, since we won’t have to re-enter information about people again. All told, setting up all four travelers, the boat and the trip and then waiting for approval was about an hour. All four of us on the boat had Nexus cards, and we did not have to have a video interview.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks for the real-life report.
Carol says
Message on both IPhone and Ipad – message – CBP Roam isn’t compatible with this device?
Any help??
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’m told that it requires iPhone 6 or above; I don’t know what iPad. Maybe try calling the CBP number that I gave in the article — they want to know when people have problems (and they might know a work-around).
Anonymous says
The app, at least on my phone, only has the continental US states and DC as arrival locations. I’m currently in Puerto Rico (not listed in app) and will soon be heading to USVI (also not listed). So… unless I’m missing something, this app can’t be used to check-in in territories.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Hmm. The CBP officer said that it could, but also said things were changing daily with it as they discovered things. You might make sure it is updated to the newest version and then if it still doesn’t offer territories, call the toll free number I listed in the article.
The Boat Galley says
Okaaaay. They told me it could, but obviously that was incorrect. I’d try updating the app in a couple days and see if it’s available then.
Reggie Good says
When I signed up, I could not find a way to list a Us documented boat. I could only find listing a state registered boat.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I simply put the state that our documented boat is registered in, and then the CG doc number.
Steve says
Carolyn – In your original post Point #10. Can you start the process outside the US and just finish it when checking in? Or at what point in the process do we have to be in the US.
We are leaving Canada (via the Great Lakes) to the Caribbean this July on a Canadian flagged (Registered)vessel with two on board, both are Trusted Travellers (Nexus).
Why do they use an eFax when it is so much easier to just attach a pdf to an email? Who has a fax machine anymore and why pay for eFax?
Carolyn Shearlock says
You can do up through 9 while outside the US. Boats that have tried to do #10 — Create Trip — have not been able to complete the step outside the US. The app just freezes and will not save.
You can have the cruising permit sent to any fax; I suggested eFax as you can get a short term free trial and then cancel it. I have no idea why they don’t do a PDF and email, when they told me about the fax process I asked and the CBP agent said she agreed and that she’d pass the suggestion along.
Bob Geurts says
They made the app and it is already outdated. Faxes aren’t used in Europe for the last years. They should have brought a real app and web-Designer.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Got this update tonight from a friend who wished to remain anonymous about their attempt to check in with ROAM:
The morning after we arrived in Beaufort SC we received an email saying our submission had been “denied and we were not able to check into the US.” As you can imagine we were a little panicked. We called SVRS office in Charleston and they ended up sending a couple officers to the marina to check us in. Evidently ever since the Annapolis Boat Show they’ve had multiple people try unsuccessfully to use the system and its evidently creating a great deal of confusion. As far as the two guys we dealt with were concerned, it was launched prematurely and everyone would be better served to just continue to call into SVRS because CBP Roam is not yet operational systemwide.
Carolyn Shearlock says
NOTE FROM CAROLYN:
The CBP phone line continues to say that the app is in use in the entire US and the SVRS is no longer in operation, but obviously some people are finding out that ROAM is not working in specific areas and SVRS is. What a nightmare for returning boaters. I guess you just have to be prepared to deal with whatever . . .
Joann Mead says
Do you know what they mean by “personal smart phone or a tablet located at local businesses” especially the “located at certain businesses” part? This is from the US Customs & Border Patrol Website about ROAM https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview/roam
Carolyn Shearlock says
Reading to the bottom of that page, they make reference to tablets with the ROAM app on them that are available at certain “partner locations” — I’d guess some local businesses. So you can use your own phone or tablet, or if you’re lucky enough to find one, a tablet at a local business.
Tad says
I spoke with CBP agents at two locations in Ohio on Lake Erie, both were HUGE proponents of the ROAM platform. They also flat out refused to do any SVRS interviews and explained that the whole ROAM app went live in April 2018.
I called Norfolk VA CBP (my future port of entry), and then had never heard of ROAM, and said they were only doing SVRS.
Has anyone successfully used ROAM this year when entering into Norfolk?
Steve says
Sorry I have not used ROAM yet but I am planning to latter in July.
Presumably you are checking in with CBP in OHIO before heading down the Erie Canal, so I was wondering why are you checking in again in Norfolk VA? CBP in Cleveland, has told me, on the phone, that I only need to check in once if I use ROAM?
It would be nice if Border staff were all on the same page and this goes for Canada and US. I think everyone would be happier and more compliant if they (Staff and boaters) knew and followed the same rules.
Steve says
FYI
Talked today to CBP Cleveland and was asking about ROAM program. They only just heard about it and it is being installed this week. They hope to be up and running by end of the month.
Apparently Cruising permits are not required but recommended for Canadian vessels. For other countries they are required but if you get one CBP would like periodic (?) phone checkins along the way so they know where you are.
ALSO Yesterday I was in Port Huron MI and the officer I talked to hasn’t even heard of the program.
Hillary says
Can commercial vessels use this also? In the Us Virgin Islands we routinely take guests on paid charters for daytrips to the bvi & return the same day.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know. You’d have to ask CBP.
Erin says
We used this app yesterday to check in to Miami from the Bahamas. I set up the accounts while still in the Bahamas and created the trip once we arrived yesterday. We had the video chat within 3 minutes of requesting, even on a Sunday. It was easy and painless. I’m so glad we found this app!
Pete Dewar says
Hello. We are Canadian boaters hoping to visit the US next week. Our boat is of a small enough size and HP rating such that we are not required to have our boat registered….so no boat registration number. Will this pose a problem ? Might I be able to use the boats serial number ?
Thanks very much for your valuable help.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know what you’d use. Call the CBP number in the article and ask them.
Stephen Ord says
We have started our voyage south from N. Lake Huron to Florida and tried the ROAM app when entering the US. from Canada.
1: We are Canadians with Nexus cards.
2. We are travelling onboard a Canadian Reg private vessel
3 We entered via Put-In-Bay (E. Lake Erie). As I reported earlier Cleveland OH Border Security only trained on this app in June 2018
4. We Used a US based cell phone on T-Mobile account from Port Huron
We had no issues using ROAM app. (except I missed a question because of the small screen of a phone and had to correct it – ie use a tablet if possible). We applied as we crossed from Detroit River to Put-In-Bay and got a reply in about 15 minutes. No interview required just a nice email with our admittance number and a ‘Welcome to the US’ letter
So easy.
wes says
Carolyn,
Do you know what boats under 30 feet are doing about DTOPS? Can you fill it out without DTOPS? Can you get a DTOPS being under 30 feet?
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know, but you can call or email Customs & Border Patrol to ask — the phone and email are here: https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/registration/common/dtops_support.html
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
Active delivery skipper update Aug 2022. I’ve been using ROAM for five years and it just keeps getting better.
Old stories don’t help. Today, ROAM just works. The latest version of the app requires an Internet connection to set up so my approach is to get the boat and crew configured before I leave the dock. Most recently I put in all the crew and boat in Quebec City ON CA.
When you check in there are three things that might happen. 1. You get a welcome to the US message and you’re done, with follow up email. 2. Video call from CBP officer and then cleared. 3. Requirement for in-person interview (see story below). In most of the US, “in-person” means CBP comes to you. In Florida you have to go to an airport or other CBP facility which is inconvenient.
I just finished delivery of a Hylas 56 with three US citizens, a Canadian, and a German. When we checked into the US in Detroit, the German had an I-94 issue. CBP came to the boat and sorted everything out. When done, they told me to use ROAM again and we were cleared in seconds.
Just follow the onscreen descriptions and it’s easy. If you don’t have a smartphone the US 800 number still works.