Travel to the USA: all the necessary documents

In order to board a transport to the USA, a number of documents are required. Without these, the journey cannot take place. The document for travel to the USA are almost the same as for others with a few exceptions. So, a minimum of preparation is necessary for a smooth trip and stay.

Basic documents for a trip to the USA

A trip always requires a number of documents without which it cannot be completed. These vary according to the destinations and the type of trip you are planning. Since you've decided to travel to the United States, you should be familiar with all of them.

The importance of a passport for travel to the USA

US travel documents are useful for entry and stay. First of all, you need a valid passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of your stay. Some European countries, such as France, are exempt from specific agreements. This means that a biometric or machine-readable (Delphine) passport will suffice for them.

The nature of your passport determines the type of authorisation you need. If it is biometric, the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) will do the trick, otherwise it will be a visa. Both must be valid. Otherwise you will simply be turned away.

ESTA authorisation to travel to the USA

This is an online form that replaces the old green sheet. It should be prepared at the time of travel arrangements. It is not free to apply for and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires.

ESTA authorization is not valid for everyone. It specifically concerns French nationals and all those who have signed up to the VWP (Visa Waiver Program). It is also required of all tourists travelling to the USA for less than 90 days.

Document for travel to the USA: the place of the visa

If you want to stay in the United States for more than 90 days, it's best to find out how to obtain the right visa. This varies according to your activity or your person, and lasts for 10 years. There are special procedures for this. Once all the costs have been paid and the DS-160 completed, an appointment can be made. However, no tickets need to be paid for until the visa application has been validated.

Additional documents for travel to the USA

If you are staying for a short period of time, it is advisable to complete your travel documents for the USA with return tickets. This is to prove that you will be leaving the country soon. In addition, you should provide proof of creditworthiness, which can be a credit card or any other supporting document.

The US social security is just as important as the other documents. It is useful for visa holders who want to work. It will make your life easier in many ways. Once you are here, you can apply for your national insurance number.