North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• The hurricane season normally runs from June to November and can affect the whole of the southern USA.  See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more information.
  
  
• Human cases of A (H1N1) - swine influenza have been reported in all 50 states. You should check for updates on the US approach to challenging this public health threat and to check the number of deaths, and their location through ‘Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’ at www.cdc.gov .  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.  In addition, you should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page onf the FCO website.  Guidance about pandemic flu is available through the UK Department of Health at www.dh.gov.uk and www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH-098531.
  
  
• Since 12 January 2009, UK travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, have required an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US.   Travellers can register for authorisation online through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel.   Effective 1 July 2009 all United Kingdom emergency or temporary passports presented for entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), including transit through the United States, must be electronic passports (e-Passports). The alternative is to apply for the appropriate visa. See the Entry Requirements section for more details.
  
  
• Violent crime related to the drugs trade is a major issue in the Mexican states along the border with California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  Though some foreign nationals have been among the victims in the border region, there is no evidence to suggest that they have been targeted because of their nationality. Visitors to border areas should exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorities.
  
  
• There is a general threat from terrorism in the United States. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated the terror alert status of "orange", or high, for all international and domestic flights in the USA.  Definitions of the US terror alert system can be found on the US Department of Homeland Security website.  See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Around 6.5 million British nationals visit the United States each year (source: US Department of Homeland Security).  Most visits are trouble-free. 1,972 British nationals required consular assistance in the USA in period 01 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (152 cases); hospitalisations (123 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1,534). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (3,228 cases). The majority of cases occur in New York City; the tourist areas in Florida (principally Orlando and Miami); and Los Angeles and San Francisco.  You should be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities. 
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

USA Country Profile.

Crime

You should bear in mind the following:

• Do not leave your door open at any time.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewellery and carrying valuable items in run down areas.
• Do not sleep in your car by the roadside or in rest areas.
• Avoid leaving items on display in cars.
• Try to stay on main roads and use well-lit car parks.
• If hit from behind while driving, indicate to the other driver to follow you to a public place and call 911 for Police help.
  
  

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Local Travel

Severe weather can strike any states at any time.  You should keep a close watch of the weather reports.

Road Travel

If you intend to drive then an international driving licence is recommended.  If you are on a fly-drive holiday then a UK driving licence is required for each driver.  If you have a photocard licence you should remember to also bring the green 'paper' counterpart licence with you.  You should also ensure that your car rental insurance covers occupants of your vehicle and any third party claims, including personal injury.

You should learn US traffic laws before coming to the country.  For example, both the speed and drink driving limits are lower than in the UK.

It is worthwhile buying a detailed road atlas of the areas through which you are travelling.

Find out the prevailing weather conditions before embarking on a long journey, e.g.  in mountainous and isolated areas where there is increased likelihood of snowfall, or in dry desert areas where you may need extra water and petrol stations could be scarce.

In 2007 there were 41,059 road deaths in the USA, (Source: DfT). This equates to 13.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

Laws vary from state to state, including speed limits and the age of consent.  So does the age at which you may legally buy and consume alcohol, but this is usually 21 years.

The plant Khat (or Qat) is an illegal narcotic in the US.  You will be arrested and detained with the possibility of a prison sentence if you are caught trying to take Khat into the US.

If you get into any difficulties with US Authorities, you should explain to them that you are a British national and ask to speak to a UK consular officer.  For more general information see How We Can Help.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

If you are unsure, or if you think that your situation falls into any of the above categories, you should consult the US Embassy (see above) – you must do this well in advance of any plans to travel.

Does my British passport allow me to travel under the VWP?

To enter under the VWP your passport must contain a machine-readable zone (MRZ).

At the foot of the photo page. The MRZ contains 2 lines of text as letters, numbers and chevrons (>>>).  If the area is blank the passport is not machine-readable and you need to apply for a visa.

The new style passports containing a biometric chip and an MRZ are acceptable for the VWP.

My child is included in my passport is that OK?

No - each person entering under the VWP must have their own MRZ passport.

Can I extend my stay under the VWP?

No - US Immigration does not grant extensions beyond 90 days.  If you would like to stay in the US for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa before travelling.  For those already in the US hoping to extend beyond 90 days, you will need to depart the US and apply for a visa.

What is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization?

ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It requires the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelerstravellers currently fill out en route to the U.S.

Why is a travel authorization via ESTA required for VWP travellers?

U.S. legislation required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement an electronic travel authorization system and other measures to enhance the security of the VWP. ESTA adds a layer of security that allows DHS to determine, in advance of travel, whether an individual is eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP and whether such travel poses a law enforcement or security risk.

How far in advance of my trip do I need to apply for travel authorisation?

Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. We recommend that travel authorization applications be submitted as early as possible, as soon as travel is planned. DHS realizes that not all travel is planned in advance, and applications for last-minute or emergency travel will be accommodated.

How long is my travel authorisation valid?

Travel authorizations are generally valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. A visitor may travel to the U.S. repeatedly within the validity period without having to apply for another ESTA.

Do I ever need to reapply for travel authorisation through the ESTA?

Yes, there are instances when a new travel authorization via ESTA would be required. If you have acquired a new passport or had a change in name, gender, or citizenship, or if the answers to any of the “yes or no” ESTA questions have changed, a new application must be submitted. Also, once the travel authorization expires, a new travel authorization via ESTA is required. Applicants may also update their destination addresses or itineraries should they change after their ESTA has been approved, although this will not be required.

How much time does it take for the system to process my application?

Once a traveller’s application has been successfully submitted online, in most cases an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel is provided.

If a traveller is approved through ESTA to travel to the United States, does that mean that the traveller can enter the country?

Not necessarily.  An ESTA approval only authorises a traveller to board a carrier for travel to the US under the VWP.  An approved ESTA is not a guarantee of admissibility to the US at a port of entry.  In all cases, Customs and Border officials make admissibility determinations at US ports of entry or pre-clearance facilities.

Do VWP travellers need to bring a paper printout of their ESTA approval to the airport?

No.  The DHS will be able to communicate a travellers ESTA status with the carriers, but it is recommended that you print out the ESTA application response in order to maintain a record of your ESTA application number and of your confirmation status.

Does my British passport have to be valid for six months beyond my date of departure from the United States?

No, if your passport is not valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure from the United States, it will not affect your eligibility to travel. The United States has an agreement with the United Kingdom automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. Therefore, your passport need remain valid only for the duration of your stay in the United States.

If you are travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program and your passport is not valid for 90 days, you will be admitted into the United States until the date on which the passport expires.

En route to the US by Air or Sea, a representative will give you a white form I-94 (if you are a visa holder) or a green Form I-94W (if you are a Visa Waiver Program traveller) to fill out before you arrive in the US.

Upon arrival, a US Customs and Border Protection officer will guide you through the inspection process, so have your travel document ready, such as passport and Form I-94/I-94W.

The officer will review your travel documents and ask questions, such as why you are visiting for how long.

The officer will scan up to 10 of your fingerprints and take your photograph with a digital camera.

The officer will tell you when you have completed the process.

Upon departure from the US, you should return the Form I-94 to the Airline or Ship representative as you depart.

The above arrival information can also be found at the US Department of Homeland Security website.

US-VISIT: The US Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program provides visa-issuing posts and ports of entry with the biometric technology that enables the U.S. government to establish and verify your identity when you visit the United States.

In many cases, this process begins overseas at a U.S. visa issuing post, where a traveller's biometrics - digital fingerprints and a photograph - are collected and checked against a watch list of known criminals and suspected terrorists. When the traveller arrives in the United States, U.S. Immigration officials collect the same biometrics to verify that the person at the entry port is the same person who received the visa. Immigration officials use this information to help them make visa-issuance and admission decisions as part of the visa application process or entry inspection.

Unlike names and dates of birth, which can be changed, biometrics are unique and virtually impossible to forge. Collecting biomtrics helps the U.S. government prevent people from using fraudulent documents to enter the country illegally. Collecting biometrics also helps protect your identity in the event your travel documents are lost or stolen.

US-VISIT currently applies to all international visitors (with limited exemptions) entring the United States (this includes visitors travelling under the Visa Waiver program).

Are there special considerations for lone parents travelling with children?

Lone parents travelling with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing them travel.  For further information on rules for the US please contact the US Embassy in London (see above.)

How do I apply for a visa?

Most applicants for US visas are required to attend an interview at a US Embassy or Consulate prior to issue.  The waiting time for an interview varies.  The US Embassy in London finger-scans visa applicants.

If you are in the United States and hold either a C, E, H, I, L, O or P visa, you are obliged to leave the country if you wish to renew or change your visa status.  For further information, we recommend that you visit the State Department website (see above) for more details or consult an attorney specialising in immigration law.

What can I do if I had a problem entering the US?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched the DHS Traveller Redress Inquiry Programme (DHS TRIP). This is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their entry into the United States.  For further information, we recommend that you visit the US Department of Homeland Security website.

Health

Natural disasters

Hurricanes


For details about storms in the United States, please visit http://www.wunderground.com/. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website http://www.fema.gov also contains information about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions and what to do if you are told to evacuate.  It also provides a useful list of disaster supplies that will help if you live in an area affected by storms and hurricanes.

You should monitor local and international weather updates from World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical cyclones.

Earthquakes

The West Coast of the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska, is prone to Earthquakes. The United States Geological Survey (USGS)  and other scientists conclude that there is a high probability of at least one magnitude 6.7 or greater quake, capable of causing widespread damage, striking the region before 2032. Please refer to the following website: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/preparedness

Wild Fires

Forest and brush fires (wild fires) are a danger in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November.  The greatest fire risk is during a period of dry weather and high winds, which can cause brush fires to spread very rapidly. You should monitor local media reports about such fires and follow the advice of local law enforcement officials.  You should also check with your hosts in the US if you intend to travel to areas which may be affected.

The southwestern United States, especially California, is experiencing a serious drought and brush fires are a major threat across the region. The risk of major brush fires around Los Angeles and all of southern California is very high, especially from August to November. Areas of highest risk are the canyons and hills where dry vegetation and high winds can cause wild fires to move very quickly and threaten property, especially where urban areas abut wild land. Visitors and residents are urged to follow the advice of local law enforcement, especially in respect of orders to evacuate an area under threat.

The following websites can provide up-to-date information on wildfires:

National

- www.nifc.gov - the National Interagency Fire Center website

California

- http://www.calfires.com for general information on wild fires in California

- http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents.php  - includes statewide fire map identifying the locations of fires;

- http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/statemap.htm - to check roads for road closure/delays

Other States

- http://azsf.az.gov/fire_information/ - for general information on wild fires in Arizona

- http://www.utahfireinfo.gov/ - for general information on wild fires in Utah

General