Passport and visa
Passports:
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA.
Passport note:
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see Visas), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travelers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travelers’ not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) As of 12 January 2009, all travelers visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Program are to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. For more information, please see below.
(d) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 requires a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI):
All persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea were introduced on 1 June 2009.
Types and costs:
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity:
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry.
Visas:
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Poland and Romania, who do require a visa as they are not included in the Visa Waiver Program.
2. holders of some Maltese passports are included in the Visa Waiver Program.
Visa note:
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa.
(b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travelers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
(c) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (ESTA). See below for more information.
(d) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel.
(e) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality.
(f) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
ESTA:
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Airlines must now deny check-in to passengers without valid ESTA.
When applying for ESTA-authorization and entering the passport number, the number 0 must not be replaced by letter O as this can lead to problems upon entering the US. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.
Working days required:
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 90 days - check with embassy/consulate.
Health
Health care:
Medical insurance is strongly advised. Only emergency cases are treated without prior payment and treatment may be refused without evidence of insurance or a deposit. All receipts must be kept in order to make a claim. Medical facilities are generally of a high standard. Many medications available over the counter in other countries require a prescription in the US. Those visiting the USA for long periods with school-age children should be aware that school entry requirements include proof of immunization against diphtheria, measles, poliomyelitis and rubella throughout the USA; schools in many states also require immunization against tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and mumps. HIV-positive visitors must apply at the US Embassy for a Waiver of Inadmissibility before entry.
 Money
ATM:ATMs are widely available across the state.
Banking hours:
Variable, but generally Mon-Fri 0830-1700.
 Credit cards:
Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the USA, including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Visitors are advised to carry at least one major credit card, as it is common to request prepayment or a credit card imprint for hotel rooms and car hire, even when final payment is not by credit card.
Currency information:
US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Currency restrictions:
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts in excess of US$10,000 or equivalent should be declared at customs.
Traveler’s cheques:
Widely accepted in US Dollar checks; Pound Sterling traveler’s checks are rarely accepted and few banks will honor them. Change is issued in US Dollars. One or two items of identification (passport, credit card, driving license) will be required.
 Duty Free
The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each.
• 1L of alcoholic beverage if 21 or over.
• Gifts or articles up to a value of US$100.
(a) Items should not be gift-wrapped, and should be available for customs inspection. (b) For information about the importation of pets, refer to the brochure Pets, Wildlife - US Customs, available at US Embassies and Consulates.
Note: Gold coins, medals and bullion, formerly prohibited, may be brought into the USA, except from embargoed countries.
 Prohibitive exports:
The following are either banned or may only be imported under license:
(a) Narcotics and dangerous drugs, unless for medical purposes (doctor's certificate required). (b) Absinthe, biological materials, some seeds, fruits and plants (including endangered species of plants and vegetables and their products). (c) Firearms and ammunition (with some exceptions - consult the Customs website). (d) Hazardous articles (fireworks, toxic materials), including matches and match books (unless packed tightly in a closed container). (e) Meat and poultry products - fresh, dried or canned. (f) Any fish (unless certified as disease free) or their eggs, unless canned, pickled or smoked. (g) Dairy products and eggs. (h) Cuban cigars, brought from any country. (i) Wildlife and endangered species, including crustaceans, mollusks, eggs, game and hunting trophies and crafted articles of any part thereof. (j) Dog and cat fur. (k) Some art and artifacts. (l) Imports from Iran and leather souvenirs from Haiti (e.g. drums). (m) Some automobiles. (n) More than one article (limited to once every 30 days) displaying a counterfeit or confusingly similar logo to trademarked and copyrighted articles. (o) Merchandise from embargoed countries: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, and Sudan; information materials (pamphlets, books, tapes, films and recordings) are permitted. Items of archaeological, historical religious or scientific importance that are illegally removed from specific locations in Iraq.
  
Important addresses
State of Texas Tourism Office in the UK
c/o First Public Relations, Molasses House, Clove Hitch Quay, Plantation Wharf, London SW11 3TN, UK
Tel: (020) 7978 5233.
www.traveltex.com
Austin CVB
301 Congress Avenue, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Tel: 1 800 926 2282 or 1 866 462 87846, in the USA only.
www.austintexas.org
Dallas CVB
325 North St Paul Street, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Tel: (214) 571 1000 or 1300 or 1 800 232 5527, in the USA only.
www.visitdallas.com
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
901 Bagby, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Tel: (713) 437 5200 or 1 800 446 87866, in the USA only.
www.visithoustontexas.com |
