USEFUL INFORMATION
from B.T. landlines) or the recorded information line number 0906 820 0290 (60p per minute). The visa application form and
instructions on the payment of the visa application fee may be obtained from the website or by calling the Embassy’s operator assisted information line during business hours. If travelling under the Visa Waiver
Program, the passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date on which the holder enters the U.S. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport. Passport holders from Brunei must possess a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the U.S. even if travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Before departure: Stateside
visitors must now book their first night’s accommodation before they arrive in the country. The I-94W form is no longer required for those travelling visa free with an approved ESTA. The I-94W form is still required at land ports of entry. The I-94 form must be completed by all other foreign nationals and presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities at the first point of entry into the United States and must include specific details of where the visitor will be staying on their first night. Arriving visitors have to provide an accurate address and it is not acceptable to show ‘touring’ if on a fly-drive holiday, or ‘staying with relatives’. Additionally, this same information will also need to be in the airline booking system when the aircraft departs the UK and will be sent, ahead of arrival, to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the destination airport. The address recorded in the airline booking system and the address shown on the I-94W/I-94 completed by the visitor en-route, must be identical and may be checked. This is in addition to information already required, such as passport number, country of issue, expiry date, given names (as they appear on the passport), last name, gender, date of birth and nationality.
Arrival in the United States:
Most non-U.S. citizen travellers to the U.S., from 14-79 years old, are required to enroll in the US-VISIT programme and have their index fingerprints digitally scanned and their photograph taken upon entering the United States. No ink is used. US-VISIT is an Entry-Exit system designed to enhance control of U.S. borders and more effectively enforce U.S. immigration law. This entry procedure adds only 10-15 seconds to the entry screening process. US-EXIT procedures are currently being rolled out across U.S airports. The US Government no longer issues Indefinite visas. Any person holding an indefinite B1/B2 visa should note that it is now only valid for travel to the US for 10 years from the date of issue of the visa. If you currently hold a visa, please check with the Embassy’s website or with the U.S. Embassy information line on 09042 450 100 (£1.20 per minute from B.T. landlines) to determine if you are still able to use it for travel to the U.S.
Check Before You Go: U.S.
immigration regulations and procedures are subject to change at short notice so please check before travelling. Therefore, even if you have travelled to the U.S. previously for a similar purpose, you may find that you are now subject to additional requirements when applying for a visa. Before planning a trip it is imperative that you ensure that you are correctly documented for travel. Check the live operator service or the Embassy’s website before making final travel plans to avoid any inconvenience and delay. Further information is available from the Embassy’s website at London.
usembassy.org.uk or on
www.travel.
state.gov, the live-operator service on 09042 450 100 (£1.20 per minute from B.T. landlines), the recorded information line number 0906 820 0290 (60p per minute), or by writing to the Consular Information Unit at the U.S. Embassy, 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1A 2JB, enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Electricity
110/120 volts AC, 60 cycles. Flat, two-pin plugs are used.
Dates
Dates are normally written starting with month, followed by day and then year. For example, December 25 2010 is written in the US as 12. 25.10, not 25.12.10.
Shopping and taxes
Please note that electrical goods bought in the United States may not work correctly in the UK, even when used with a transformer. The United States uses the NTSC broadcast system which applies to items such as pre-recorded video tapes and video camcorders, etc, not the PAL system used in the UK. Please ensure that your equipment at home is compatible with such items. For pre- recorded DVDs, the USA is in Region 1 whereas the UK is in Region 2. Again, check if your DVD equipment at home is compatible. With a few exceptions, it is not normally possible to claim back local and state taxes paid in the USA. Hotels in some destinations may charge an occupancy tax in addition to city, state and federal taxes on beds. Car rental companies may also do the same in some areas. Taxes on petrol, cigarettes and alcohol, however, are built into the final price.
Insurance
There is no agreement between the US and the UK for medical or hospital care. There is no equivalent to the National Health Service and medical expenses are very high. Medical insurance is strongly urged, with the suggested coverage being a minimum of £1,000,000. Anyone renting a car is also urged to take out comprehensive insurance as litigation claims are extremely common in the US and payments are high.
Brochures available from
the US Embassy The following brochures are available:
www.visitusa.org.uk Money
All major credit cards are accepted throughout the US. When hiring a car or booking into a hotel, an imprint of a credit card is usually taken in advance to cover extras. Travellers’ cheques in US dollars
are recommended. If these are carried, they will be accepted as cash in most restaurants, hotels and shops. It is recommended to arrive in
the US with about $100 in cash, including one dollar bills for tipping and paying taxis.
Tipping
As at home, tipping is a common and expected practice. Suggested tips are: 10 – 20 per cent of the bill for meals in restaurants and the same to taxi drivers. About $1 per bag or suitcase
carried by bellboys or porters at hotels or airports is the norm. If going on an escorted tour, check
beforehand whether tips are included. If not, the tour guide and others will expect a tip.
USA Public Holidays 2011
New Year's Day 2011: Saturday, January 1 Martin Luther King Day: Monday Jan17 President's Day: Monday February 21 Memorial Day: Monday May 30 Independence Day: Monday July 4 Labor Day: Monday September 5 Columbus Day: Monday October 10 Veteran’s Day: Friday November 11 Thanksgiving Day: Thursday November 24 Christmas Day: Sunday December 25 New Years Day 2012: Sunday Jan 1,
65
• Customs regulations for non- residents • Travellers’ Tips on bringing Food, Plant and Animal Products into the United States • Importing a car. For further information, please contact Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Embassy, 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE or visit
http://london.usembassy. gov/
ukcustom.html
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