The United States is a very attractive destination for any traveler. New York City, the stunning places to visit in California, "Walt Disney World Orlando", the Grand Canyon… Every corner of the United States is full of places to visit. Here you’ll find all the information related to the documentation and details you’ll need to start planning your trip.
Requirements to travel to the United States
Passport
To travel to the United States, you will need a valid passport with more than 6 months’ validity remaining before your trip. Remember that the U.S. visa is linked to your passport, which means that if your passport expires, your visa will expire too.
Visa
To visit the United States, you will need one of the following:
- Immigrant visa: for people who want to live permanently in the country. In this case, you must apply for lawful permanent residence, the Green Card.
- Nonimmigrant visa: for people who want temporary stays (tourism, business, studies, work, etc.) when the traveler is not eligible for ESTA or when the stay exceeds the limits allowed under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or ESTA online. This is an online travel authorization, not a visa, for citizens of countries included in the Visa Waiver Program. It allows travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days. You can check whether your nationality is eligible for ESTA here.
In most cases, citizens of Canada and Bermuda can travel to the United States for temporary visits without a visa and without ESTA, by presenting their passport (always subject to entry requirements and the final decision of the immigration officer). In the case of Bermuda, it is also not possible to apply for ESTA with a Bermudian passport.
You can find all the information about U.S. visas in this article: How to get a visa for the United States.
Vaccines
There are no mandatory vaccines to enter the United States. However, it is advisable to be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or rabies, among others, although these are usually part of the routine vaccination schedule. For personalized recommendations, it’s best to consult an international travel clinic.
Travel insurance
Although it is not a mandatory entry requirement, for you it should be. The U.S. healthcare system is completely private, so any treatment you may need would be very expensive. Buying travel insurance before you go will protect you and your wallet. We offer travel insurance at Globely.
Currency
The official currency of the United States is the U.S. dollar (USD). Card payments are widely accepted, although it’s recommended to carry some cash for small expenses. You can exchange currency either before your trip or upon arrival in the country.
Additional information
Do you need a visa to transit through the United States?
Yes. The United States does not allow international transit without immigration control, so any traveler transiting through the country must have valid authorization to enter. If the traveler is from an ESTA-eligible country, they will need to apply for this authorization. A transit visa is for people who are not covered by the online travel authorization program.
Best time of year to visit the United States
The United States is a vast country and has great climate diversity, which varies considerably by region.
Some states have very cold winters (in the north of the country) and hot summers, while others have consistently warm weather (in the south). This means we can travel to the United States at any time of year. Whatever the month, there will always be a place that suits our interests.
It’s worth noting that some areas of the United States are affected by hurricane season. If we avoid this period, we’ll have a better experience.
Safety in the United States
Overall, the United States is a safe country to visit. It’s advisable to avoid certain areas after dark due to the risk of pickpocketing or other types of crime, but nothing out of the ordinary for large cities.
Final tips
- Remember that the metric system isn’t used there: in the United States you’ll talk in degrees Fahrenheit, miles, and pounds.
- You’ll need a Type A plug adapter, with a power converter, since outlets in the United States are 120 V and in Europe they are 230 V.
- In the United States, tipping is always expected. In some places it’s already included in the bill, but if it isn’t and we’re happy with the service, we should leave a tip.
- If we’re going to drive in the United States, we need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which we must obtain from the traffic authority before traveling.
- The United States is a key destination for wine lovers. Discover the top places for wine tourism.
- Don’t miss our guide to driving the U.S. West Coast! It will be an unforgettable experience.
