Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Entering Hawaii
»
Double-check current visa and passport requirementsbeforecoming to the USA.
»
For current information about the USA's entry requirements for travelers and eli-
gibility to enter, access the visa section of the
US Department of State website
(
http://travel.state.gov
)and also the travel section of the
US Customs & Border
Protection website
(
www.cbp.gov
)
.
»
Upon arrival in the USA, most foreign citizens (excluding for now, many Canadi-
ans) must register with the
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS;
www.dhs.gov
)
US-VISIT program, which entails having electronic (inkless) finger-
prints and a digital photo taken; the process usually takes less than a minute.
Passports
»
Amacchiine--readable p
dable passporrt (MRP
t (MRP))is required for all foreign citizens to enter
the USA.
»
Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your expected dates of stay in
the USA.
»
If your passport was issued or renewed after October 26, 2006, you need to have
an 'e-passport' containing a digital photo and an integrated chip that stores bio-
metric data.
Visas
»
Currently, under the USViisa W
VWP)), visas are not required for
citizens of 37 countries for stays up to 90 days (no extensions).
»
Under the VWP program you must have a return ticket (or onward ticket to any
foreign destination) that's nonrefundable in the USA.
»
All VWP travelers must register online at least 72 hours before arrival with the
Electronic System for Travel Authorization
(ESTA;
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
),
which currently costs $14. Once approved, registration is valid for two years (or un-
til your passport expires).
»
Foreign visitors who don't qualify for the VWP must apply for a tourist visa. The
process is not free, involves a personal interview and can take several weeks so ap-
ply early.
»
The website
www.usembassy.gov
has links for all US embassies abroad. You're
better off applying for a visa in your home country rather than while on the road.
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r Prrogrram (
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