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Any Native Indian who was born in Canada and is at least 50% American Indian blood can enter the United States without a visa or green card. To do so, you must inform a customs officer at a port of entry that you are an American Indian born in Canada and provide the appropriate documents to support your status. Native Indians may also qualify for permanent residence (known as a Green Card) if they meet the following criteria:

• Possess 50% or more American Indian blood
• Born in Canada
• Proof of ancestry (as determined by blood relationship to parents, grandparents, or great grandparents who were registered members of a formally registered Canadian Indian Band or U.S. Indian tribe)
• State to a customs officer of your intent to permanently reside in the United States

Note that you are not eligible for a green card if you became a member of a tribe through adoption or marriage. Rather, your status must be based on your blood and race. Further, a Native Indian’s spouse and children cannot obtain permanent residency by virtue of the primary applicant’s status. However, the primary applicant can sponsor a spouse and children for green cards after becoming a permanent resident first. To find out if you are a member of a federally recognized Canadian Indian Band, click HERE. To find out if you are a member of a recognized U.S. Indian Tribe, click HERE.