3. Documents required
You must hold a valid passport to enter the USA. Your
passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your
stay.
US requires all those travelling to provide details online at
least 72 hours prior to travel. This is known as an Electronic
System for Travel Authorisation or ESTA. This is mandatory.
If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the
USA. For more information, and to apply online, please visit
the official ESTA website .
Travellers requiring visas should apply in the US Embassy or
Consulate as early as possible as services will be limited
during July and August.
4. Documents required
W h a t wil l h a p p e n o n a r r iv a l in t h e
US ?
U p o n a r r iv a l, a U S C u s t o m s a n d
B o r d e r P r o t e c t io n o f f ic e r w ill
g u id e y o u t h r o u g h t h e in s p e c t io n
p r o c e s s , s o h a v e yo u r tr a v e l
d o c u m e n ts r e a d y, s u c h a s
p a s s p o r t a n d E S TA .
T h e o f f ic e r w ill r e v ie w y o u r t r a v e l
d o c u m e n t s a n d a s k q u e s t io n s ,
s u c h a s w h y y o u a r e v is it in g a n d
f o r h o w lo n g .
T h e o f f i c e r w i l l s c a n u p t o 10 o f
5. Documents required
Are there special considerations for lone parents
travelling with children?
L o n e p a r e n t s t r a v e llin g w it h
c h ild r e n s h o u ld b e a w a r e t h a t
s o m e c o u n t r ie s r e q u ir e
d o c u m e n t a r y e v id e n c e o f p a r e n t a l
r e s p o n s ib ilit y b e f o r e a llo w in g t h e m
t r a v e l. F o r f u r t h e r in f o r m a t io n o n
r u le s f o r t h e U S p le a s e c o n t a c t
th e U S E m b a s s y.
My child is included in my passport, is that OK?
6. Safety and security
Crime
You should bear the following in mind:
Do not leave your door open or your belongings unattended
at any time .
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery and carrying valuable
items in poor or very crowded areas.
Do not sleep in your car by the roadside or in rest areas.
Avoid leaving items on display in cars.
Try to stay on main roads and use well-lit car parks.
If hit from behind while driving, indicate to the other driver to
follow you to a public place and call 911 for Police help.
7. Safety and security
Local Travel - Air Travel
At every US commercial airport you will meet the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security
Officers. Become familiar with the current security
measures before flying.
Local Travel - Road Travel
A valid driving licence is required for each driver. If you have
a photo card licence you should remember to also bring
the green 'paper' counterpart licence with you. You should
also ensure that your car rental insurance covers
occupants of your vehicle and any third party claims,
including personal injury.
You should learn US traffic laws before coming to the
country. For example, both the speed and drink driving
limits are lower than in many other countries.
8. Natural disasters
The hurricane season normally runs from June to November
and can affect the whole of the southern USA.
Tornadoes are found most frequently in the United States
east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer
months. In the southern states, peak tornado occurrence is
in March through May, while peak months in the northern
states are during the summer. To learn more about
tornadoes and what you should do during, and after an
event.
Snow storms during winter can cause delays and
cancellations throughout the major airline hubs in the USA.
Be sure to contact your tour operator or airline for current
flight information before travelling.
You must also remember that in the West Coast of the United
States of America, (including Hawaii and Alaska) and
Puerto Rico, earthquakes are frequent.
9. Health and Insurance
Health
Medical treatment can be very expensive. Embassies and
Consulates in general cannot assist you with medical
expenses. You should ensure that you have
comprehensive medical insurance, which includes hospital
treatment and medical evacuation to your country.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to the
USA and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-
date.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is essential; at
least $1,000,000 cover, which includes hospital treatment
and medical evacuation to your country, is recommended.
You should check any exclusions, and that your policy
covers you for all the activities you intend to do.
10. … and, last but not least,
PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH!!!
Have a nice trip!
