The Americas
Trip Support
CBP and customs, APIS and eAPIS, Part 91 entry rules, TSA waivers, permits and slots across North, Central and South America, with country guides for the United States and Mexico and sections for Canada, Costa Rica, Argentina and the Caribbean gateways.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 10 September 2026
The working reference
How the Americas work for a private flight
The Americas run on manifests and borders more than on permits. Into the United States every arrival files APIS at least sixty minutes out, holds a permission to land from the port of entry before departing abroad, carries the annual CBP decal, and since 2025 checks each passenger against the entry suspensions and the ESTA rule that only an approved Visa Waiver carrier can use. Into Canada the pilot calls CANPASS two to 48 hours ahead and lands first at a designated airport of entry with the flight plan open before the border. Into Mexico the operator files a two-step APIS, carries insurance that names Mexico, and at some fields a private letter of operation. South of that each country has its own shape: Costa Rica needs no permit but wants parking authorised; the Bahamas wants a permit only for charter; Barbados wants 72 hours; Argentina rewrote its general aviation rules in March 2026. Foreign-registered heavy aircraft making two or more US stops need a TSA waiver filed seven days ahead. The desk files the manifests at both ends, checks every passenger before the booking is confirmed, and books the parking, which is the constraint at Teterboro, Cabo and the winter resorts.
Into the United States
APIS at least sixty minutes before arrival and again before departure, permission to land from the CBP port of entry before leaving abroad, permission to depart outbound, the annual user fee decal on the aircraft. Passengers checked against the 2025 entry suspensions at booking. ESTA works only on an approved Visa Waiver carrier; otherwise a B1 or B2 visa.
TSA waivers
Foreign-registered aircraft over 100,309 pounds making two or more US stops need an international waiver; single stops do not. Every overflight over that weight needs one, and lighter foreign overflights unless they depart a portal country such as Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas. Aircraft on certain registers need one for any US operation. Filed at least seven days ahead, valid 90 days, hard copy on board.
Into Canada
eAPIS out of the US at least sixty minutes ahead, then CANPASS by phone two to 48 hours before arrival, first landing at a designated airport of entry, flight plan open before the border. BasicMed is not accepted; an FCC radio licence and Canadian weight-based insurance minimums are. Winter fields such as Ottawa are 24 hours with de-icing filed ahead on a form with a card.
Into Mexico
Two-step APIS for private and charter, an advance manifest and a reconfirmation near departure, inbound and outbound. Insurance that names Mexico or does not exclude it, registration and airworthiness, pilot licences and medicals, and at Toluca, Cancun, Tapachula and Ensenada a private letter of operation. Cabo San Lucas is the only private-jet-only international airport in the country. The Mexico guide below has the airports and the seasons.
Central America and the Caribbean gateways
Costa Rica: no permit for general aviation, San Jose 24 hours with parking authorisation mandatory, Liberia no overnight and two-hour turns in peak. Bahamas: no permit for Part 91, 24 to 48 hours for Part 135, customs hours limited. Barbados: permit 72 hours ahead. Dominican Republic: PPR above 30,000 pounds and slots above 70,000. The Caribbean and Pacific page covers the islands in full.
South America
Argentina from March 2026: flight plans no longer mandatory for most domestic VFR general aviation, still required for IFR, international legs and controlled airspace; night VFR permitted nationwide; ADS-B Out aircraft need no separate plan to enter the ADIZ; single-pilot charter allowed on approved aircraft. Brazil, Chile and Colombia are filed with the trip.
Parking and events
Teterboro and Las Vegas do not guarantee parking for a week; Van Nuys allows seven-day stays; Opa-locka has ramp but no hangar and tightens for Art Basel. Presidential movements bring temporary flight restrictions with gateway airports and TSA screening; the Super Bowl and the Masters bring PPR, waitlists and fixed departure banks. Cabo raises handling and parking in peak.
Pets
Into the UK from the US the fleet must be Defra-approved; into Mexico only dogs and cats, two per passenger, with a vet certificate inside 15 days and, since August 2026, a screwworm inspection certificate for dogs inside five days each way. The pets guides carry the current forms.
Country guides
The countries with their own page
Each opens to a full working reference: permits and lead times, slots, airports of entry, seasons, crew rules and the airport guides.
Country by country
The rest of the region at a glance
Canada
CANPASS two to 48 hours ahead, first landing at an airport of entry, flight plan open before the border, BasicMed not accepted, FCC licence and Canadian insurance minimums. Ottawa is 24 hours with no PPR or slots and de-icing filed ahead.
Costa Rica
No landing permit for general aviation. San Jose runs 24 hours with parking authorisation mandatory; Liberia allows no overnight and two-hour turns between 1000 and 1600 in peak. Fuel and handling are booked with the trip.
Argentina
New general aviation rules from 1 March 2026: VFR domestic flight plans optional, night VFR allowed, ADS-B Out simplifies ADIZ entry, single-pilot charter permitted on approved aircraft. IFR and international legs still file.
The Bahamas, Barbados and the Dominican Republic
Bahamas: Part 91 needs no permit, Part 135 needs one in 24 to 48 hours, customs hours limited. Barbados: permit 72 hours ahead. Dominican Republic: PPR above 30,000 pounds, slots above 70,000. Aruba charges a sustainability fee to non-residents.
Guides and updates
The Americas articles from the desk
The detailed pieces behind this page, newest first, each with the year it was written and the discipline it belongs to.
What Argentina's New Regulations Mean for Private Jet Crews
Summarises Argentina's March 2026 ANAC reforms: optional VFR flight plans, nationwide night VFR, ADS-B based ADIZ relief, single-pilot Part 135 and licensing changes, with crew action items.
Read the guide2025Customs, immigration and crew entryCanada Winter Operations Guide for U.S. Private Jet Crews
A US-to-Canada cross-border checklist (eAPIS, CBP decal, CANPASS, AOE, onboard documents) plus winter de-icing advice and a CYOW fee snapshot.
Read the guideAirport guides
The airports behind The Americas operations
Runways, slots, customs, handling and fuel on each field's own guide, written by the desk that files the paperwork.
Questions
The Americas trip support questions
Do I need a permit to land in the United States?
Not a permit in the European sense. You need APIS filed at least sixty minutes ahead, permission to land from the CBP port of entry before you leave abroad, the annual CBP decal, and every passenger checked against the current entry rules. The desk files all of it.
Can my passengers use ESTA on a private jet?
Only if the operator is an approved Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier. On any other private aircraft, visa-free nationals need a B1 or B2 visa. The desk checks the operator status before the booking.
When does a foreign aircraft need a TSA waiver?
Over 100,309 pounds and making two or more US stops, or any overflight over that weight, or a lighter overflight that did not depart a portal country. Aircraft on certain registers need one for any US operation. File seven days ahead, valid 90 days, hard copy on board.
How do I enter Canada on a private jet?
eAPIS out of the US, then a CANPASS call two to 48 hours before arrival, first landing at a designated airport of entry with the flight plan open before the border. Carry an FCC radio licence and insurance that meets the Canadian weight-based minimums; BasicMed is not accepted.
What does Mexico need from a Part 91 flight?
A two-step APIS inbound and outbound, insurance that names Mexico, registration, airworthiness, pilot licences and medicals, and at Toluca, Cancun, Tapachula and Ensenada a private letter of operation on company letterhead. The desk files the manifests and carries the letter.
Does Costa Rica need a landing permit?
No, not for general aviation. San Jose is 24 hours with parking authorisation mandatory; Liberia allows no overnight and turns aircraft in two hours during peak hours. The desk books the parking with the trip.
What changed in Argentina in 2026?
From 1 March 2026 most domestic VFR general aviation flights no longer need a flight plan, night VFR is allowed nationwide, ADS-B Out aircraft enter the ADIZ without a separate plan, and single-pilot charter is permitted on approved aircraft. IFR and international legs still file.
Which US airports are hardest for parking?
Teterboro and Las Vegas do not guarantee a week; Opa-locka has ramp but no hangar and tightens for Art Basel. Van Nuys allows seven-day stays. Presidential TFRs, the Super Bowl and the Masters bring PPR and waitlists at the local fields.
Can I fly my dog from the US to Mexico on a private jet?
Yes, dogs and cats only, two per passenger, with a vet health certificate inside 15 days, a rabies certificate that states its validity, and since August 2026 a screwworm inspection certificate inside five days for dogs each way. The Mexico pets guide has the forms.
What does the desk need to file a trip in the Americas?
Aircraft documents including insurance wording, passenger and crew passports and nationalities for the manifests and the entry checks, the dates, and the stops. It comes back with APIS filed at both ends, permissions in hand, parking confirmed and handling booked.
Get it filed
Flying across the Americas? Filed from the desk
Send the dates, the aircraft and the stops. You get the manifests filed at both ends, every passenger checked before the booking, parking confirmed where it is scarce, and a number you can hold us to.
Contact UsPrefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email tripsupport@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.