North and Central America and Caribbean
United States
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Still current at: 20 July 2008
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Updated: 16 July 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with new information in the Natural Disasters section (Earthquakes) . The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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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.
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Since 23 June 2008, northern California has been badly affected by wild fires. See the Natural Disasters (Forest Fires) setion of this advice for more details.
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The US announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. Although these will operate on a voluntary basis from August 2008, they will become compulsory for all travellers with effect12 January 2009. See the Entry requirements section for more details.
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Around 6.5 million British nationals visit the United States each year (source: US Department of Homeland Security). Most visits are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in the USA in 2007 were: replacing lost or stolen of passports, money and other documents (over 3,000 cases); arrests and detentions, for a variety of offences (over 1,300 cases); hospitalisations and deaths, mainly from natural causes (over 240 cases); and deportations (over 180 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.
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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 details.
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The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa. However, this does not apply to all British passport holders. See the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details.
- We strongly 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
Terrorism
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.
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.
Since 6 November 2006 you can carry liquids, gels and aerosols in 3 ounce (or smaller) containers in a small zip-top bag. You should visit www.tsa.gov for more details about this and other prohibited items.
Given that terrorist attacks have taken place in public areas, there is a risk that you could be caught up if there were other attacks in the future. You should therefore be particularly vigilant in high-profile public places.
We recommend that you also look at relevant US government websites, especially: http://www.fbi.gov , http://www.fema.gov , and http://www.dhs.gov and monitor news reports before and during your trip to the USA.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Political Situation
Crime
You should bear in mind the following:
Political Situation
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.
In 2005 there were 43,443 road deaths in the USA, (Source: DfT). This equates to 14.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005.
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 scarcer than usual.
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 scarcer than usual.
Local laws and customs
Do not make flippant remarks about bombs or terrorism, especially when passing through US airports.
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.
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.
Entry requirements
The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. The types of journeys that are permissible under the VWP include general travel/tourism, certain types of business and when transitting to another country.
The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. Although these will be on a voluntary basis as of August 2008, it is expected they will become compulsory for all travellers from 12 January 2009. For more information, and to apply online please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Electronic travel authorities once obtained will be valid for a period of two years, or the validity of the travellers passport (whichever is shorter). At present, US authorities do not propose to levy a charge for this service, although they have reserved the right to consider doing so in the future.
The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel. Although these will be on a voluntary basis as of August 2008, it is expected they will become compulsory for all travellers from 12 January 2009. For more information, and to apply online please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Electronic travel authorities once obtained will be valid for a period of two years, or the validity of the travellers passport (whichever is shorter). At present, US authorities do not propose to levy a charge for this service, although they have reserved the right to consider doing so in the future.
More details are available on the VWP and other aspects of US immigration at the following websites :
If you have any doubts about whether you are eligible to enter the US under the VWP, or about visa matters generally, you are strongly advised to contact the US Embassy in London before your travel. The Visa Information line is 0904 245 0100 (calls are charged at £1.20 per minute).
Please also read the following Questions & Answers:
Do I qualify to travel under the VWP or do I need a visa?
Several million British nationals travel to the US annually under the VWP without any problems. Only people described as a "British Citizen" on the photo page in their passport qualify to enter the US under the VWP. If you are described as a "British Subject", "British National (Overseas)", "British Overseas Territories Citizen", "British Dependent Territories Citizen", "British Protected Person" or "British Overseas Citizen", you will need a visa.
You will also probably need a visa if you fall into one of the following categories (Note: this list is not exhaustive).
Several million British nationals travel to the US annually under the VWP without any problems. Only people described as a "British Citizen" on the photo page in their passport qualify to enter the US under the VWP. If you are described as a "British Subject", "British National (Overseas)", "British Overseas Territories Citizen", "British Dependent Territories Citizen", "British Protected Person" or "British Overseas Citizen", you will need a visa.
You will also probably need a visa if you fall into one of the following categories (Note: this list is not exhaustive).
You intend to stay longer than 90 days
You intend to travel to the US for a reason other than business, pleasure or transit
You have been arrested (even if not convicted)
You have a criminal record
You have a serious, communicable disease (including HIV)
You have been refused entry to the US on a previous occasion
You have been deported from the US
You have overstayed during a previous visit
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 do I do if my passport is due to expire?
You are advised to check the remaining validity of your passport as soon as you plan to travel overseas. The US and the UK have an agreement that allows people travelling from one country to the other to enter using a passport with limited validity. However, you are strongly advised to renew your passport beforehand if it has six months remaining validity or less. This is in case your departure from the US is delayed for any reason; if you wish to make side visits to other countries; or if you have further travel plans immediately after your visit to the US.
The ability to Transit Without Visa (TWOV) in the US has been suspended. Those travellers who are passing through the United States ‘in transit’ but are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme must obtain a visa prior to travel.
I have a US criminal record - is that a problem?
US Criminal Records are linked to US Immigration databases. If you have a previous conviction in the US; if you have violated your probation; or if you think you may have a US arrest warrant against you, we strongly advise that you consult the US Embassy in London before travelling. Failure to do so may result in detention and/or deportation. Exclusion periods for aliens with previous convictions are as follows:
3 years - After being found inadmissible as an arriving alien.
10 years - Being ordered removed/excluded.
20 years - After being found inadmissible and having previously been excluded, deported or removed (i.e. illegal re-entry).
Life - Aggravated Felonies.
Is dual nationality allowed?
Under US law if you or your children are dual UK-US nationals travelling between both countries, you should travel with both passports. US law also requires that dual US nationals use their US passport to enter and exit the country - those who attempt to travel on their foreign passport risk being denied boarding. Further information can be obtained from the US State Department (see above).
What do I do if I have renounced my US citizenship?
If you have renounced your US citizenship, you should carry a copy of your Certificate of Loss of Nationality when you travel to or from the US. If you do not, you may not be allowed to board your aircraft.
What will happen on arrival in the US?
All arrivals under the VWP are subject to US-VISIT. This means that all travellers aged between 14 and 79 are finger-scanned and digitally photographed on arrival. Special arrangements are in place for travellers with disabilities.
In 2002, the US authorities introduced the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. This requires nationals or citizens of certain countries - including those who also have British passports - to register on arrival and departure from the US, and in some cases, to register again with US authorities in-country.
The Department of Homeland Security plans to replace the current two-fingerprint scanners with new 10 fingerprint scanners at all U.S. ports of entry over the next year.
On November 29, 2007, Homeland Security began the initial transition at Washington Dulles International Airport. During 2008, nine other U.S. airports will also collect additional fingerprints from international visitors. They include:
Boston Logan International Airport (Boston, Mass.)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago, Ill.)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit, Mich.)
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Ga.)
George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport (Houston, Texas)
Miami International Airport (Miami, Fla.)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, N.Y.)
Orlando International Airport (Orlando, Fla.)
San Francisco International Airport. (San Francisco, Calif.)
The Department of State currently uses 10 fingerprint scanners at all of its visa issuing posts worldwide.
In 2002, the US authorities introduced the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. This requires nationals or citizens of certain countries - including those who also have British passports - to register on arrival and departure from the US, and in some cases, to register again with US authorities in-country.
The Department of Homeland Security plans to replace the current two-fingerprint scanners with new 10 fingerprint scanners at all U.S. ports of entry over the next year.
On November 29, 2007, Homeland Security began the initial transition at Washington Dulles International Airport. During 2008, nine other U.S. airports will also collect additional fingerprints from international visitors. They include:
Boston Logan International Airport (Boston, Mass.)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Chicago, Ill.)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit, Mich.)
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Ga.)
George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport (Houston, Texas)
Miami International Airport (Miami, Fla.)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, N.Y.)
Orlando International Airport (Orlando, Fla.)
San Francisco International Airport. (San Francisco, Calif.)
The Department of State currently uses 10 fingerprint scanners at all of its visa issuing posts worldwide.
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
Medical treatment can be very expensive; there are no special arrangements for British visitors. The British Embassy and Consulates-General cannot assist you with medical expenses. You should ensure that you have comprehensive medical insurance, which includes hospital treatment and medical evacuation to the UK
West Nile virus is common to the USA and there are occasional outbreaks of eastern equine encephalitis (triple e virus) reported.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,200,000 adults aged 15 or over in the USA were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to the USA and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
West Nile virus is common to the USA and there are occasional outbreaks of eastern equine encephalitis (triple e virus) reported.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,200,000 adults aged 15 or over in the USA were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to the USA and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
Hurricanes
The hurricane season normally runs from June to November, and can affect the whole of the southern USA. There are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself if you are travelling to an area where hurricanes are common, including:
- Telling friends or family in advance about your itinerary and calling them to let them know of your plans if a hurricane moves into the area in which you are staying.
- Pay close attention to local media outlets.
- Keep important numbers handy such as airlines, tour operators, travel insurance providers and the nearest Embassy or consulate.
In the event that you do have to evacuate, you should monitor local media and follow the advice of local or state authorities. Please remember to take your passport and other important documents with you and let your friends and family in the UK know where you are going and how they can reach you. This can prevent a lot of anxiety and confusion later on.
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 the 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://www.usgs.gov/learning/preparedness.php
Forest Fires
Forest and brush 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.
Since 23 June 2008, northern California has been badly affected by wild fires. Most fires are now contained and US Highway 1 at Big Sur between Los Angeles and San Francisco is open again. Closures and delays remain in place for Highways 32, 70, 199 (delays) and 299 (delays). Areas around Kern, Monterey, Mount Shasta and Trinity Counties remain under evacuation orders, and precautionary evacuation orders exist in areas in Butte (near Sacramento), Mendocino, Plumas and Shasta Counties. Air quality, due to smoke remains poor in these areas as well as in Santa Barbara County in Southern California. You should follow the advice of the local authorities and also check local fire information on
http://www.calfires.com for advice. You should also check with your hosts in the US if you intend to travel to areas which may be affected.
General
Insurance
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is essential; at least $1,000,000 cover, which includes hospital treatment and medical evacuation to the UK, would be wise. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Change country
contacts
United States, Washington, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
Telephone:
(1)(202) 588 6500 Embassy
(1)(202) 588 7800 Consular
(1)(202) 588 7830 British Council
Fax:
(1)(202) 588 7870 Chancery
(1)(202) 588 7866 Management
(1)(202) 588 7901 UKTI
(1)(202) 588 7850 Consular
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Fri: 1400-2230
Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0900-1730
Website: http://www.britainusa.com