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Before you go to United States: what to know

Must know

  • Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA before boarding — apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov (fee USD 40.62 since 16 Oct 2026); third-party sites charge much more.
  • Anyone who visited Cuba since 12 Jan 2021 (or Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea since 2011) can't use ESTA and needs a visa.
  • Border officers may inspect phones and social media; refusal can lead to denied entry. The social-media question on ESTA is still optional (mandatory version proposed, not in force).
  • Medical care is extremely expensive — buy travel insurance with high medical limits (USD 500k+ recommended).
  • Cannabis is illegal under federal law (incl. airports and borders) even where states allow it; admitting use can lead to refusal.

Entry and visas

UK and most EU citizens use the Visa Waiver Program: ESTA (USD 40.62, valid 2 years or until passport expiry) for stays up to 90 days. Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, China, India, Turkey and UAE citizens need a B1/B2 visa (USD 185 application fee). A USD 250 'visa integrity fee' is legislated but, as of late Oct 2026, not yet collected. Chinese 10-year visa holders must update EVUS (USD 31.75).

Online arrival forms and permits

  • ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) ↗ required
    At least 72 hours before departure (ideally when booking) · Fee: USD 40.62 (from 16 Oct 2026) · Visa Waiver Program nationals (UK, most EU, etc.)
  • EVUS ↗ required
    Before travel; valid 2 years or until visa/passport expiry · Fee: USD 31.75 · Chinese passport holders with a 10-year B1/B2 visa

Passport validity: Valid for the whole stay (VWP travellers need an e-passport). Many nationalities need 6 months beyond the stay.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Fingerprints and photo taken; answer questions about purpose, address and return ticket.
  • Check your I-94 record online after entry to confirm your admitted-until date.
  • Officers may examine electronic devices.

Customs

  • Declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000.
  • Declare all food, plants and animal products; meat, fresh fruit and many dairy items are prohibited — undeclared items bring fines.
  • Don't bring cannabis or CBD products, even if legal at origin or destination state.
  • Prescription medicines in original containers; carry the prescription.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: esta.cbp.dhs.gov ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, cbp.gov ↗, ivisa.com ↗, countrypilot.info ↗, gov.uk ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, JCB, UnionPay

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works

Where to exchange money

  • Withdraw USD from bank ATMs (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.) with a low-fee card
  • Pay by card everywhere — most places are cashless-friendly

Where not to exchange

  • Airport currency kiosks
  • Exchanging cash at US banks (often only for account holders, poor rates)
  • Dynamic currency conversion

ATMs: ATM owners charge USD 3–6 per withdrawal plus your bank's fee; stand-alone ATMs in shops/bars charge the most.

Tipping: Expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants and bars (USD 1–2 per drink), 15–20% taxis/rideshare, USD 2–5/night housekeeping. Sales tax is added at checkout, not shown on price tags.

  • Mir and other Russian-issued cards don't work.
  • Some shops and vending/transit systems are card-only; tap-to-pay works on many transit networks (e.g. NYC OMNY).

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: cbp.gov ↗, usa.gov ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Cannabis on federal land, airports and across borders (and anywhere in non-legal states)
  • Drinking alcohol in public in most places; open containers in cars
  • Under-21 alcohol purchase or consumption
  • Jaywalking is ticketed in some cities
  • Drones near airports, national parks (banned) and over crowds

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Laws vary by state (alcohol hours, cannabis, gun laws, speed limits).
  • Always carry ID; bars check ID regardless of age.
  • If stopped by police while driving, stay in the car with hands visible.
  • VWP visitors can't work or extend their stay.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Predominantly Christian with large secular and diverse faith communities; no state religion.

Clothing: Casual almost everywhere; smart-casual for upscale restaurants. Indoor spaces are heavily air-conditioned — bring a layer.

Etiquette

  • Tip service staff — wages rely on it.
  • Queue in line and respect personal space.
  • Small talk and friendliness are normal; 'How are you?' is a greeting.
  • Avoid politics with strangers.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Climate

Huge variety: cold snowy winters in the north and Midwest, mild Pacific coast, hot humid South and Florida (hurricane season Jun–Nov), desert Southwest very hot in summer.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: cold in North (NYC ~-3–4°C); mild Florida/SoCal
  • February: Feb: cold north; ski season
  • March: Mar: thawing; spring breaks
  • April: Apr: mild; blossom season
  • May: May: pleasant nationwide
  • June: Jun: warm; hurricane season begins
  • July: Jul: hot, humid East/South; desert 40°C+
  • August: Aug: hot; peak national park crowds
  • September: Sep: warm; hurricane peak in South-East
  • October: Oct: fall foliage in North-East, pleasant
  • November: Nov: cool; Thanksgiving travel peak
  • December: Dec: cold north; holiday season

Best season: April–June and September–October for most regions; winter for Florida, Hawaii and the Southwest.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: weather.gov ↗, nhc.noaa.gov ↗

What to pack

  • US plug adapter (type A/B); check devices support 120 V
  • Printed/stored ESTA or visa details and return ticket
  • Insurance documents
  • Layers for air-conditioning
  • Credit card for car rentals and hotel deposits

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Meat, fresh fruit, plants and seeds
  • Cannabis or CBD products
  • Kinder Surprise eggs (banned)
  • Large knives or pepper spray in carry-on

Practical

Plugs: Type A/B, 120 V, 60 Hz

Water: Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Prepaid SIM/eSIM from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon (and MVNOs) without ID in many stores; free Wi-Fi is common.

Apps: Uber, Lyft, Google Maps, Transit, OpenTable, Yelp, Mobile Passport Control

Internet: No restrictions.

Health: No compulsory vaccinations for visitors. Medical costs are very high; emergency rooms must treat but will bill heavily.

Insurance: Not required for entry but essential; choose high medical limits and evacuation cover.

Emergency: 911 — police, fire, ambulance

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, cbp.gov ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.