Passports and Visa -Valid passport required (regardless of age)
-Current Visa Requirements for Tourists/ Visitors:
-Canadian visitors usually do not require a visa (subject to exceptions)
- "Visa Waiver" Plan (Form I-94):
Foreign nationals from some countries can enter the US without a visa, but only under limited conditions and for a limited period of time
-Always check for current requirements in advance when planning a trip to the US Public Holidays- Banks and other public services, e.g. the postal service, are closed on the following days:
- January 1st (New Year's Day)
- 3rd Monday in January (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- 3rd Monday in February (Presidents' Day)
- Last weekend in May (Memorial Day)
- July 4th (Independence Day)
- 1st Monday in September (Labor Day)
- 2nd weekend in October (Columbus Day)
- November 11th (Veterans' Day)
- 4th Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
- December 25th (Christmas Day) Animals, Plants, Water- Never feed any animals
- Bears: Do not leave any food out
- Snakes and scorpions: Carry a snakebite or first aid kit with you in snake country. If bitten, seek
medical assistance immediately
- Poison ivy and poison oak are found in the US.
- Never drink water found in the wild before treating it (purification tablets) or at least boiling it Emergencies- The nationwide emergency number for all medical, police, and fire emergencies is 9-1-1
| Custom Allowances and Duty-Free- Everyone entering the US must complete a customs declaration
- Forbidden Goods: meat products, seeds, and plants, also Cuban cigars
- When leaving the US, you may not export meat products, seeds, plants or fruits
- You may export duty-free: 200 cigarettes/person over 18 and 0.2 gallons or 1 liter of alcohol/person over 21
- List of restricted Items Six Different Time Zones- The US is divided into six different time zones
- Familiarize yourself if necessary, especially for connecting flights in different time zones
- From East to West (mainland): Eastern Time (New York), Central Time (Chicago), Mountain Time
(Denver), and Pacific Time (San Francisco), 'Alaskan' Time, and 'Hawaiian' Time
- Time changes in one hour increments from zone to zone ATMs- Confirm with your bank that international withdrawals are permitted and that card is compatible
- Most US ATMs charge a fee
- Exchange rates are better than those for traveler's checks or foreign money Traveler's Checks- Can be cashed at a bank (need a passport)
- American Express and Thomas Cook traveler's checks are usually accepted Exchange of Foreign Money- Possible at international airports and in tourist areas, e.g. Manhattan, but you may encounter
unfavorable exchange rates Driving in the US- You must be at least 25 years old to rent a car
- You can normally use your driver's license from your home country
- If your insurance at home does not cover rentals in the US, it may be wise to add insurance
- Make yourself familiar with the traffic rules
- Gas stations usually require for you to pay first, and then pump
(Tips to save Gas and Money) |
