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<\/a><\/p>\nTravel formalities<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n The first thing to check is your passport, to make sure it meets the requirements for crossing the U.S. border. Your passport must be either electronic<\/strong> or biometric<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A very simple little tip that can save you time if you do not know what type of passport you have is to take your passport and look on the cover to see whether this pictogram is present:<\/p>\n If you see it on your passport cover, then you have the right type of visa or passport for travel. Check this carefully, because that year many people were unable to enter the country due to a stricter procedure introduced on April 1, 2016. In fact, some airlines and tour operators did not inform travelers in time after this change, and those travelers were then refused entry into the country. To do that, travelers wishing to go to the United States for a stay of up to 90 days must complete an online form (no later than 72 hours before departure).<\/p>\n The website to fill out the form: https:\/\/esta.cbp.dhs.gov\/esta<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For information, the fee for this authorization is \u20ac14 per person<\/strong> to be paid directly when you register online. It remains valid for 24 months, without having to reapply if you travel to the United States several times during that period (unless your passport expires first).<\/p>\n You should also know that to obtain this authorization, you must meet specific criteria regarding the reason for your trip. – travel for tourism,<\/p>\n – travel for business reasons, as long as they are not being paid by a U.S. company (meetings, seminars, and job interviews are therefore allowed),<\/p>\n – or need to transit through the United States to reach another country,<\/p>\n are eligible.<\/p>\n If you are traveling with children, it is also essential to apply for an ESTA for them. It is required for every person wishing to travel to the United States, whatever their age.<\/p>\n I will also give you a simple and practical tip to avoid any doubt when applying for your ESTA. Be very CAREFUL<\/strong> to match the characters exactly as they appear on your passport, and check your information on the form as many times as necessary. We are talking about an official document, and if there is even a small mistake, you will almost certainly have to submit a new application and pay additional fees. To save yourself unnecessary trouble, do not make these mistakes:<\/p>\n – Confusing the number 1 with the letter I.<\/p>\n – Confusing the number 0 with the letter O.<\/p>\n These are the most common mistakes made during the application process, but also the easiest ones to avoid when you know about them! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n Also note that the Visa Waiver Program does not allow you to enter the United States in the same way a regular visa would. You need to understand that it is only a travel authorization, and if U.S. customs officers judge your reason for visiting to be suspicious, they are fully able and authorized to refuse you entry into the country. That would automatically result in being sent back to your country of origin.<\/p>\n For any other additional information, you can consult formulaireesta.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Practical packing tips<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1 – In a world full of cell phones, tablets, and computers, it is hard to travel without them… And electronic devices need to be charged. So remember to bring adapters! Yes, U.S. standards (110 volts) are different from French ones (220 volts). An adapter will therefore be necessary. You can find them in home appliance stores, electronics stores, and online.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2 – Remember to exchange some money before you leave. It is always better to have a little cash in case of unexpected situations, especially when you first arrive!<\/p>\n 3 – Even if road signs are fairly easy to follow in the USA, a GPS will save you a lot of time. On a road trip, that extra time is very comfortable because it lets you enjoy more. Just make sure your GPS includes a U.S. map, otherwise it will not be much use… \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n 4 – As for clothes, with all the malls and outlets across the United States, I recommend bringing only the bare minimum. You will find plenty of clothes and accessories at unbeatable prices, especially branded items. If your suitcases are already full when you arrive, you may come home frustrated because you could not bring back that pair of shoes you wanted simply due to lack of space. Of course, this advice is useful only if you plan to go shopping!<\/em> The choice of clothes to pack will depend on the region where you are spending your vacation. For example, for us this summer in Florida it will be: swimsuits, flip-flops, light clothing, sneakers, hats, sun protection, mosquito repellent, and a few sweatshirts for indoor places because Americans love air conditioning!!! But if we were going to NYC in winter, it would be more like jeans, sweaters, jackets, an umbrella, hats, and scarves..!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPeople who have a passport that is not valid for travel to the United States will have to comply with the new rule and get a new one issued.
\nThe second thing you absolutely must not forget when planning a vacation in the USA is to apply for an ESTA<\/strong> (Electronic System for Travel Authorization<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOnly people who:<\/p>\n
\nWorse still, if some information is incorrect when you go through Customs, they can make things difficult for you, and we all know the United States does not joke around with the country’s internal security.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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