ATF Form 6NIA Application/Permit for Non-Immigrant
Aliens Temporarily Bringing Firearms or Ammunition into the United
States for Hunting or other Lawful Sporting Purposes
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
has created a new application/permit for nonimmigrant aliens
temporarily bringing firearms or ammunition into the United States
for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes.
The new application/permit is called ATF Form 6NIA (Application
and permit for temporary importation of firearms and ammunition by
non-immigrant aliens.)
Nonimmigrant aliens who want to temporarily import firearms or
ammunition for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes should use
this new form, rather than ATF Form 6. (Application and permit for
importation of firearms, ammunition, and implements of war.)
The new ATF form 6NIA can be downloaded at GetDucks.com Sporting Travel
Resources page (
Click here for downloadable PDF Version ATF form
6NIA), or from the ATF webpage at www.atf.gov or ordered from the ATF
Distribution Center 703-455-7801.
ATF created the new form 6NIA to make the application process
simpler for nonimmigrant aliens who want to temporarily import
firearms and ammunition for hunting and other lawful sporting
purposes. Nonimmigrant aliens no longer will have to complete an
application that is designed more for commercial importers.
ATF will process form 6NIA applications in approximately 6 to 8
weeks.
ATF recommends applicants provide a fax number including country
code on their applications when possible, to eliminate the
possibility of approved permits being lost in the mail.
An approved ATF form 6NIA will serve as the temporary import
permit that nonimmigrant alien presents to the U.S. Customs Service
at the time he or she enters the United States.
An approved permit is valid for one year, as long as the
nonimmigrant alien has documentation demonstrating he or she will
fall within an exception to the general prohibition on nonimmigrant
aliens possessing firearms and ammunition (either a valid State
hunting license or an invitation/registration to attend a future
qualifying competitive target shooting event or sports or hunting
trade show).
A non immigrant alien who already has an approved import permit
on the old ATF Form 6 may continue to use the permit until it
expires (as long as he or she has documentation demonstrating that
he or she falls within an exception to the general prohibition on
nonimmigrant aliens possessing firearms and ammunition.)
Nonimmigrant aliens planning to temporarily enter the United
States with a firearm or ammunition for reasons other than hunting
or other lawful sporting purposes (or repair) do not need an ATF
Form 6NIA import permit.
However, they do need to fall within an exception to the general
prohibition on nonimmigrant aliens possessing firearms and
ammunition in the United States.
Moreover, they may need a DSP-61 (Temporary Import License) from
the department of state. If a nonimmigrant alien has questions
about whether a DSP-61 is needed, he or she should contact the U.S.
Department of State, office of Defense Trade Controls, at
202-663-2714.
Nonimmigrant aliens with questions about ATF Form 6NIA may call
ATF's Firearms and Explosives Import Branch at 202-927-8320. The
ATF webpage www.atf.gov has frequently asked questions that provide
useful information regarding the form.