Bryce Canyon Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
The United States operates a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for citizens of 41 countries, allowing short-term tourism without a traditional visa. All other nationalities require a visa to enter the U.S., including for visiting Bryce Canyon National Park.
Citizens of VWP countries can travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a traditional visa, but must have an approved ESTA
Cost: USD $21 per application
Travelers must have an e-passport (biometric passport). Previous travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since March 2011 may disqualify you from VWP. ESTA denial requires applying for a traditional B-2 visa.
Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa or ESTA for tourism
Cost: Free entry (no visa fee)
Must have valid Canadian passport. Permanent residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens need to follow visa requirements based on their nationality.
All other nationalities must obtain a B-2 tourist visa before traveling to the United States
Cost: USD $185 application fee (non-refundable even if denied)
Required for citizens of China, India, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, and most countries not in VWP. Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to home country and intent to return. Approval is not guaranteed.
Arrival Process
International visitors arrive at a U.S. port of entry (airport or land border) where they undergo immigration inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The nearest major international airports to Bryce Canyon are Las Vegas (LAS), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Los Angeles (LAX). After clearing immigration and customs at your first U.S. entry point, travel to Bryce Canyon is domestic and requires no further immigration procedures.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulates what items can be brought into the United States. All travelers must declare agricultural products, merchandise, and currency over certain amounts. Failure to declare items can result in fines, seizure of goods, or criminal prosecution.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - including marijuana (illegal under federal law even if legal in some states)
- Absinthe with thujone - certain formulations banned
- Counterfeit and pirated goods - designer knockoffs, fake currency, pirated media
- Certain fruits, vegetables, and plants - most fresh produce prohibited to prevent agricultural pests
- Meat and poultry products - most meat from most countries prohibited (BSE/avian flu prevention)
- Soil - prohibited from all countries to prevent plant diseases
- Haitian animal hide drums - due to anthrax concerns
- Biological materials - including pathogens and certain biological specimens without permits
- Endangered species products - ivory, sea turtle shells, certain furs and skins
- Cuban products - most goods from Cuba still restricted (cigars and rum for personal use now allowed)
- Switchblade knives - automatic knives prohibited
- Certain weapons and firearms - strict regulations apply
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - must be in original containers with prescription label. Carry copy of prescription. Some medications legal abroad are controlled substances in U.S.
- Firearms and ammunition - must be declared, unloaded, locked in hard-sided container in checked baggage. Federal and state permits may be required.
- Cultural artifacts and antiquities - may require export certificates from country of origin
- Pets - require health certificates, rabies vaccination proof, and may require quarantine period (see special situations)
- Alcoholic beverages over duty-free limit - subject to federal duty and IRS tax
- Cheese and dairy products - some allowed with restrictions, many prohibited
- Baked goods and dried fruits - some allowed, must declare all food items
- Nuts and seeds - most allowed but must be declared; some require phytosanitary certificates
- Fish and seafood - allowed with restrictions, must be for personal use
- Hunting trophies - require permits and declarations, some species prohibited
Health Requirements
The United States has specific health requirements for international visitors. While routine vaccinations are not checked at the border for tourists, certain health measures may be required depending on current public health situations and your country of origin.
Required Vaccinations
- COVID-19 vaccination may be required depending on current CDC guidelines - check travel.state.gov for latest requirements
- No routine vaccinations required for tourist visitors (immigrant visa applicants have different requirements)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), polio, and annual flu shot
- Hepatitis A and B - recommended for most travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination and boosters - highly recommended even if not required for entry
Health Insurance
Health insurance is not required for tourist entry to the United States, but is STRONGLY recommended. The U.S. does not have universal healthcare, and medical costs are extremely high. A simple emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars, and serious illness or injury can result in bills exceeding $100,000. Purchase comprehensive travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation. Medicare and foreign health insurance typically don't cover care in the U.S. Bryce Canyon is in a remote area - the nearest major hospital is over an hour away.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children, including infants, must have their own passport and visa/ESTA if required. If a child is traveling with only one parent, that parent should carry a notarized letter of consent from the other parent authorizing the trip. If traveling with children who are not your own, carry notarized consent letters from both parents plus copies of the children's birth certificates. Single parents should carry children's birth certificates. CBP officers are trained to prevent child abduction and will question adults traveling with children. Parental consent letters should include: child's full name, dates of travel, destination, parent's contact information, and notarized signature.
Dogs and cats entering the U.S. must be healthy upon arrival. Dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate (administered at least 30 days before entry for puppies, valid on arrival date for adult dogs). Puppies under 12 weeks from rabies-free countries have different rules. CDC has specific requirements for dogs from high-risk rabies countries, including CDC Dog Import Permit. Cats are not required to have rabies vaccination for entry, but Hawaii and some other states have additional requirements. Birds require import permits and quarantine. Other pets have varying requirements. Service animals must meet same health requirements. Check CDC pet import requirements at cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states and USDA APHIS at aphis.usda.gov. Note: Bryce Canyon allows pets on paved surfaces only, not on trails - plan accordingly.
Tourist visas and ESTA allow only temporary stays. B-2 visa holders may request extension by filing Form I-539 with USCIS before current status expires (file at least 45 days before expiration). Extensions are not guaranteed and require valid reasons. ESTA stays cannot be extended - the 90-day limit is absolute. Overstaying your authorized period, even by one day, can result in deportation and bans on future U.S. entry (3-year or 10-year ban depending on overstay length). For longer stays, consider: F-1 student visa (requires enrollment in approved school), J-1 exchange visitor visa (cultural exchange programs), or other appropriate visa categories. Working on tourist visa/ESTA is illegal. Volunteering that displaces paid workers is considered work. Digital nomads working remotely for foreign companies exist in legal gray area - consult immigration attorney.
If you've previously overstayed a U.S. visa, been deported, or violated immigration law, you may be inadmissible. Previous overstays can trigger automatic visa cancellation and multi-year entry bans. ESTA will likely be denied if you have previous violations. You may need to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility, which requires legal assistance. Always disclose previous violations on visa applications - lying on immigration forms is grounds for permanent ban. Even minor violations from years ago can cause problems. Consult an immigration attorney if you have any previous U.S. immigration issues.
Certain criminal convictions make travelers inadmissible to the U.S., including crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, and multiple criminal convictions. ESTA asks about criminal history - answer truthfully as U.S. has access to many international criminal databases. A single DUI may not automatically bar entry but should be disclosed. Serious crimes may require a waiver of inadmissibility. Even if not convicted, arrests may cause issues. Rehabilitation certificates from your country may help. This is a complex area - consult immigration attorney if you have any criminal history.
If you hold citizenship in both a VWP country and a non-VWP country, you must enter the U.S. using your VWP country passport with ESTA. U.S. citizens, even dual nationals, must enter and exit the U.S. using their U.S. passport - this is a legal requirement. Dual U.S.-Canadian citizens should use U.S. passport when entering the U.S. Carry both passports but present the appropriate one at each border.