Traveling to the USA

If you travel to the United States for a stay up to 90 days, you must be in possession of an electronic passport valid at least 9 months after date of arrival. Most foreign nationals must be in possession of a tourist visa.

Visa exemption applies for nationals from 35 countries (including EU countries) who just need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) 72 hours before departure (at the latest). Once the application form completed and submitted online, a response will be generated by the system almost instantly. If authorization is refused, a visa application should be filed to the nearest American consulate or embassy. If the answer is pending, a final response should be sent within 72 hours. Any applicant can monitor the progress of his file on the ESTA website. Fees for the apply.

Visa exemption applies for citizens from: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, South Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Malta, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland. 

If you’re not a citizen from one of the countries listed above, visit the embassy or consulate of the United States in your home country and apply for a tourist visa.

Before arrival in the United States, the airline will provide you with a form to complete (Form I-94, white for holders of temporary visas and green for nationals exempt from visa requirements). Upon arrival at the U.S. customs, the immigration officer will collect your form, detach the coupon and attach it in your passport. When entering the U.S., you have to submit your fingerprints and have your picture numerized by the immigration services. Upon refusal, you will not be allowed to enter the country.

 IMPORTANT:

Do not forget to have your coupon removed from your passport before leaving the United States territory. If the coupon has not been removed, you must send it with an explanation letter to: 
 
ACS Inc. 
1084 South Laurel Rd, 
London, Kentucky 40744 
USA 

 Useful links: 

ESTA

http://www.esta.us/ 

U.S. Customs  

http://www.customs.gov/

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