Visitors Guide to U.S.A.

Residency, Visas and Passports

Regulations for entering the USA have become stricter over recent years, yet many touristic visitors are benefitted by the recently introduced Visa Waiver Programme. All visitors to the USA require a passport to enter the country and the passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry.

As regulations can change and the details provided here are very general, it is advisable to contact an embassy or consulate prior to departure to ensure full up to date, specific and correct information relating to individual situations.

Visitors from the UK, Australia and most European countries are included in the Visa Waiver Programme. This enables visitors from these countries to enter the USA without a visa for up to 90 days. European countries not included in the Visa Waiver Programme include Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and Romania.

Obtaining residency in the USA can take several years to be processed, with various checks and requirements to be followed. Permanent residency is commonly known as a Green Card, while citizenship can only be obtained from residency that has been active for approximately 5 years.

There are several different classifications for obtaining residency, contacting a company or association that specialises in US residency applications is advisable for assistance on specific applicant’s circumstances. Permanent residents in the USA do have the right to work, yet some restrictions apply for jobs that can only be obtained by citizens. Residents do not have the right to vote or to bring family members into the country.

Getting There

The USA is one of the most convenient and well serviced destinations for air travel in the world outside Europe. An extensive number of direct and connecting flights travel to the country’s major airports on a daily basis due to the high demand for travel to and from the country.

The main airlines of the US include American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and Delta Air. Flight time from Europe to New York is approximately 9.5 hours, while Miami is approximately 7.5 hours.

Due to the regulations enforced in recent years, strict security checks are followed at airports. Visitors requiring a tourist visa upon entry may also be required to allow finger printing and be photographed upon entry.

Other methods of entry to the USA include road and rail transport from neighbouring countries. There are various road access points from Canada, with coach and rail options for visits making use of the extensive travel passes available to foreign visitors. Road and rail also connect the USA with Mexico at various points.

The most common form of access to the USA is via air, yet the country also has various sea ports receiving thousands of cruise ship passengers on an annual basis to the east and west coasts.

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Local Transport

The USA features an extensive network of local and inter-state transport systems, all offering a high standard of service and connection. Several domestic airlines compete within the market to offer customers competitive rates, enabling long distance air travel an ideal option for convenience and price. Air passes are available for extensive travel to foreign visitors, and night flights are offered at discounted rates, enabling further savings.

The country is well services by light and heavy rail networks, yet long distance train travel is generally considered to be slow and expensive in comparison to the range of flight options available. Light rail networks connecting cities with their outer suburbs and neighbouring towns can be a convenient transport option for short distances.

Many cities feature extensive metro systems, including New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington. High speed trains are also a convenient option that connects New York with several nearby large cities.

Road networks across the USA are in excellent condition, with express and long distance coach transport connecting all of the country’s town and cities. Bus services are common forms of transport within towns and cities, with good connections and often standard fares.

If planning to travel around the USA by car, various major international hire car companies are available from airports, cities and towns. Most companies will require the driver to be a minimum of 25 year old, with discounts often available to foreign visitors.

Health and Safety

The USA is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations for both international and domestic travel. The country offers a wealth of possibilities to suit all preferences throughout the year, in a very safe environment. Florida is a prime holiday destination located close to Europe and South American countries, receiving over 70 million visitors on an annual basis.

The food and water are very safe and visitors are advised that the only pre-travel preparation should be medical insurance. While Florida has one of the largest concentration of the highest trained medical professionals and facilities in the entire country, treatment can be very costly or even refused if insurance is not previously arranged.

Florida, along with the southern part of the country, is susceptible to hurricanes. The season runs from June to November when rainfall offers a relief to the year-round heat of this prime holiday destination.

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