Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Australian
citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the
U.S. Embassy Canberra,
Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (
&
02/6214-
5600
); or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission's website at http://us
embassy-australia.state.gov/consular.
Citizens of
New Zealand
can obtain up-to-date visa information by contact-
ing the
U.S. Embassy New Zealand,
29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon,
Wellington (
&
644/472-2068
); or get the information directly from the “Serv-
ices to New Zealanders” section of the website at http://usembassy.org.nz.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Unless you're arriving from an area known to
be suffering from an epidemic (particularly cholera or yellow fever), inoculations
or vaccinations are not required for entry into the United States. If you have a
medical condition that requires
syringe-administered medications,
carry a
valid signed prescription from your physician—the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration (FAA) no longer allows airline passengers to pack syringes in their carry-
on baggage without documented proof of medical need. If you have a disease
that requires treatment with
narcotics,
you should also carry documented proof
with you—smuggling narcotics aboard a plane is a serious offense that carries
severe penalties in the U.S.
For
HIV-positive visitors,
requirements for entering the United States are
somewhat vague and change frequently. According to the latest publication of
HIV and Immigrants: A Manual for AIDS Service Providers,
the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) doesn't require a medical exam for entry into the
United States, but INS officials may stop individuals because they look sick or
because they are carrying AIDS/HIV medicine.
If an HIV-positive non-citizen applies for a non-immigrant visa, the question
on the application regarding communicable diseases is tricky no matter which
way it's answered. If the applicant checks “no,” INS may deny the visa on the
grounds that the applicant committed fraud. If the applicant checks “yes” or if
INS suspects the person is HIV-positive, it will deny the visa unless the appli-
cant asks for a special waiver for visitors. This waiver is for people visiting the
United States for a short time, to attend a conference, for instance, to visit close
relatives, or to receive medical treatment. It can be a confusing situation. For up-
to-the-minute information, contact
AIDSinfo
(
&
800/448-0440
or 301/519-
6616 outside the U.S.; www.aidsinfo.nih.gov) or the
Gay Men's Health Crisis
(
&
212/367-1000;
www.gmhc.org).
DRIVER'S LICENSES
Foreign driver's licenses are mostly recognized in the
U.S., although you may want to get an international driver's license if your
home license is not written in English.
PASSPORT INFORMATION
Safeguard your passport in an inconspicuous, inaccessible place like a money
belt. Make a copy of the critical pages, including the passport number, and store
it in a safe place, separate from the passport itself. If you lose your passport, visit
the nearest consulate of your native country as soon as possible for a replace-
ment. Passport applications are downloadable from the websites listed below.
Note:
The International Civil Aviation Organization has recommended a pol-
icy requiring that
every
individual who travels by air have a passport. In response,
many countries now require that children must be issued their own passport to
travel internationally, where before those under 16 or so may have been allowed
to travel on a parent or guardian's passport.
