By plane
Most visitors from outside Canada and Mexico arrive in the United States by plane. While many medium sized inland cities have an international airport, there are limited flights to most of these and most travelers find themselves entering the U.S. at one of the major entry points along the coasts:
* From the east New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Miami are the primary entry points from Europe and other transatlantic points of departure. All the major west coast airports have service from a few key European cities.
* From the west Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland (Oregon), and Honolulu are the primary entry points for travelers from Asia and other transpacific points of departure. Several carriers are already offering nonstop flights between South East Asia and New York. Of course, if you arrive in Honolulu, you must take another flight to get to the mainland. Foreign airlines are not allowed to transport passengers to/from Hawaii or Alaska and the other 48 states.
* From the south Miami, Florida is the primary entry point from Latin America, primarily South America. Also, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Charlotte are major international waypoints. From Mexico, most major U.S. airports have non-stop service.
* From the other side of the world New Delhi, India has non-stop service to Chicago and Newark. From Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Dubai you can also fly to New York (JFK). Qatar, and Saudi Arabian fly to Washington, DC, and South African Airways goes to Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, and Miami.
Note that the United States requires entry formalities even for international transit, and the current state of international affairs means that this is not going to change anytime soon. You must have a valid visa to enter the United States if required by your citizenship, even if you are immediately continuing on a flight to a different country. If your citizenship requires a visa to enter the U.S., avoid transiting through the U.S. unless you want to spend time and money to obtain a C-1 transit visa. Further, when booking flights to the U.S. note that you will be required to clear customs and immigration at your first U.S. stop, not at your final destination, even if you have an onward flight. Allow at least 2 hours of stop-over (ideally more than 3) at your first U.S. stop.
Warning: ALL persons wishing to enter the United States by air must now possess a valid passport or similar travel document (such as a NEXUS card or Laser Visa).
UAE Hotel Guide
USA Hotel Booking
Friday, April 4, 2008
Monday, October 8, 2007
Frequently Asked Questions About USA Visas
What types of visas are available for people to come to the United States?
There are more than 20 nonimmigrant visa types for people traveling to the United States temporarily. There are many more types of immigrant visas for those coming to live permanently in the U.S. The type of Visa you need is determined by the purpose of your intended travel. For an overview of visa types, please see Immigration Classifications and Visa Categories on the USCIS Website. For specific information about each type of visa, please review the information available on the Visas page.
After I have my visa, I will be able to enter the U.S., correct?
A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry, and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. immigration inspector authorizes or denies admission to the U.S.
How do I know whether to contact the Department of State or Department of Homeland Security about my issue?
Contact the Department of State, Embassy or Consulate abroad with questions about U.S. visas, including application, the status of visa processing, and for inquiries relating to visa denial.
Once in the United States, the traveler falls under the jurisdiction of Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for the approval of all petitions, the authorization of permission to work in the U.S., the issuance of extensions of stay, and change or adjustment of an applicant's status while the applicant is in the U.S. See Other Government Websites below to learn more.
My visa expires in 5 years, what does this mean?
A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the U.S., but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel for the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S., at port of entry.
How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the U.S?
At the port of entry, upon entering the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, US immigration inspector, provides you a small white card, Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport. Visa Waiver Program travelers receive Form 1-94W. On this form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your Form I-94, or I-94W is a very important document to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the U.S. To learn more see Duration of Stay
I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States, what should I do?
If you failed to turn in your I-94 Departure Records, see Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection website for more information.
What are indefinite validity visas (Burroughs visas) and are they still valid?
Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) are tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler’s passport which were valid for ten years. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity Burroughs visas became void. Therefore, if you have an indefinite validity visa you must apply for a new visa for travel to the U.S.
I hold an Iraqi "S" series passport; can I travel to the U.S. with this passport?
If you hold an Iraqi "S" series passport, effective January 8, 2007, the "S" series passports became no longer valid for travel to the U.S. due to its failure to meet international security standards. Holders of the "S" series passport cannot apply for a U.S. visa, and Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection will not admit travelers on U.S. visas issued in "S" series passports.
Travelers with existing valid U.S. visas in the "S" series passports must obtain a new visa as well as a new passport. In order to apply for a U.S. visa and travel to the U.S., Iraqi citizens must have a "G" series passport. The "G" series Iraqi passport has effective security features and can be used for visas or travel to the U.S. See U.S. Embassy Amman's website for more information about obtaining a "G" series passport, as well as information about certain immigrant special cases and refugees who may not need a passport to travel to the U.S.
Can an Iraqi "M" or "N" series passport holder travel to the U.S. with this passport?
If you hold an Iraqi "M" or "N" series passport, effective January 2007, both the "M" and "N" series passports are no longer valid for travel to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection will not admit travelers on "M" or "N" series passports.
If you have a valid U.S. visa in the "M" or "N" series passport, you will need to obtain a new "G" series passport, but need not obtain a new U.S. visa.
Source : http://travel.state.gov
There are more than 20 nonimmigrant visa types for people traveling to the United States temporarily. There are many more types of immigrant visas for those coming to live permanently in the U.S. The type of Visa you need is determined by the purpose of your intended travel. For an overview of visa types, please see Immigration Classifications and Visa Categories on the USCIS Website. For specific information about each type of visa, please review the information available on the Visas page.
After I have my visa, I will be able to enter the U.S., correct?
A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry, and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. immigration inspector authorizes or denies admission to the U.S.
How do I know whether to contact the Department of State or Department of Homeland Security about my issue?
Contact the Department of State, Embassy or Consulate abroad with questions about U.S. visas, including application, the status of visa processing, and for inquiries relating to visa denial.
Once in the United States, the traveler falls under the jurisdiction of Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for the approval of all petitions, the authorization of permission to work in the U.S., the issuance of extensions of stay, and change or adjustment of an applicant's status while the applicant is in the U.S. See Other Government Websites below to learn more.
My visa expires in 5 years, what does this mean?
A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the U.S., but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel for the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S., at port of entry.
How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the U.S?
At the port of entry, upon entering the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, US immigration inspector, provides you a small white card, Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport. Visa Waiver Program travelers receive Form 1-94W. On this form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your Form I-94, or I-94W is a very important document to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the U.S. To learn more see Duration of Stay
I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States, what should I do?
If you failed to turn in your I-94 Departure Records, see Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection website for more information.
What are indefinite validity visas (Burroughs visas) and are they still valid?
Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) are tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler’s passport which were valid for ten years. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity Burroughs visas became void. Therefore, if you have an indefinite validity visa you must apply for a new visa for travel to the U.S.
I hold an Iraqi "S" series passport; can I travel to the U.S. with this passport?
If you hold an Iraqi "S" series passport, effective January 8, 2007, the "S" series passports became no longer valid for travel to the U.S. due to its failure to meet international security standards. Holders of the "S" series passport cannot apply for a U.S. visa, and Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection will not admit travelers on U.S. visas issued in "S" series passports.
Travelers with existing valid U.S. visas in the "S" series passports must obtain a new visa as well as a new passport. In order to apply for a U.S. visa and travel to the U.S., Iraqi citizens must have a "G" series passport. The "G" series Iraqi passport has effective security features and can be used for visas or travel to the U.S. See U.S. Embassy Amman's website for more information about obtaining a "G" series passport, as well as information about certain immigrant special cases and refugees who may not need a passport to travel to the U.S.
Can an Iraqi "M" or "N" series passport holder travel to the U.S. with this passport?
If you hold an Iraqi "M" or "N" series passport, effective January 2007, both the "M" and "N" series passports are no longer valid for travel to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection will not admit travelers on "M" or "N" series passports.
If you have a valid U.S. visa in the "M" or "N" series passport, you will need to obtain a new "G" series passport, but need not obtain a new U.S. visa.
Source : http://travel.state.gov
Travel Tips For Foreign Travelers Coming To U.S.A. - Source: Voice of America
- Do not lock your checked bags. (They may have to be checked by security officials for your safety.)
- If you are carrying a computer when you check in for your flight, take it out of its case when you approach the security checkpoint.
- Do not wrap gifts. They may have to be opened for a security inspection.
- Pack smart. Put any camera film in your carry-on baggage. Put your personal items in clear plastic bags so screeners can see them without having to touch them.
- Avoid wearing or carrying metallic objects in your clothes to avoid setting off checkpoint alarms.
- Arrive early for your flight. Check your airline for details.
- Go online at www.TSATravelTips.us to find more tips on airport security in the U.S., including what you can and cannot carry on the plane.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
United States Travel Destination Guides
- CitySearch
www.citysearch.com - Yahoo! Local
local.yahoo.com - ePodunk
www.epodunk.com - Knight Ridder Real Cities
www.realcities.com - Hello Metro
www.hellometro.com - USA Tourist Information
www.usatourist.com - Online Highways
www.ohwy.com - Sightseer's Guide to Engineering
www.engineeringsights.org - USA CityLink
www.usacitylink.com - AOL City Guide
cityguide.aol.com - MainTour.com
www.maintour.com - Onroute Travel & Recreation
www.onroute.com - Community Profile Network
www.villageprofile.com - Travelinformation.com
www.travelinformation.com - Visit USA
www.visitusa.com - CitiesUnlimited.com
www.citiesunlimited.com - Are We There Yet? - The Ultimate Field Trip Resource
www.fieldtrip.com - Online CityGuide
www.olcg.com - OmniNav
www.omninav.com - CitySpin - America's Travel Guide
www.cityspin.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Hotels in USA