First time to travel to the United States?
With the spring and summer travel season having started in the United States, the guardian of United States’ borders, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds the country’s thousands of visitors to first educate themselves on the rules and regulations regarding travel to the United States.
A U.S. visa will enable you to travel to a US port of entry, airport or land border crossing, and request permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the U.S.
Although having a visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S., it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined that you are eligible to seek entry for that specific purpose. DHS/CBP inspectors are responsible for admission of travelers to the U.S., for a specified status and period of time.
You must also have a valid (unexpired) passport to enter the United States.
As the United States visa policy also permits citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa, when they meet certain requirements, under U.S. laws, all those citizens of participating U.S. Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who are planning to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of up tp 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, they are required to obtain first a travel authorization via Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling by air or sea to the United States. These ESTA applications are valid for multiple entries for a combined maximum stay in the USA and its surrounding countries of ninety days for a period of up to two years, regardless of how long a traveler actually intends to stay in the USA.
VWP travelers with valid ESTA application authorization prior to travel are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program.
Take note, VWP travelers are also required to present the appropriate type of passport valid for six months past their expected stay in the United States.
If arriving by air or sea, they are required to travel on an approved carrier and have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination.
Once you’ve applied for US visa, be ready then for an interview. Make sure to wear formal clothes or business attire. Make sure that you are ready with your documentations and arrive early. Be confident in answering the interview questions and be polite. Demonstrate respect in your language and don’t argue or unnecessarily elaborate on your answers as these might not work in your favor.
Now, that you have your approved US visa or ESTA forms, you must prepare all the necessary things that you are allowed to bring. Be sure to know all the restrictions as not to delay or even cause you to be inadmissible to enter the US.
