For International Visitors - Chicago with Kids - page 274

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 Terr., Thorndon, Welling-
ton ( & 644/472-2068 ), or get the information directly from the “For 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 noncitizen applies for a nonimmigrant 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 applicant 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 med-
ical 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 generally recognized in
the U.S., but 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 are now requiring that children must be issued their own pass-
ports to travel internationally, where before those under 16 or so may have been
allowed to travel on a parent or guardian's passport.