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USA - Travel Advice

Learn about the USA visa, customs and quarantine regulations. This includes types of visa applications, what to declare and what is prohibited in the USA.

Quick find guide

Visas

Do I need a visa to enter the USA?

You will need a valid visa or ESTA to enter the United States and must be in possession of one at least 72 hours before departure.

The Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) permits Australian and New Zealand citizens to enter the USA for tourism purposes for up to 90 days without a visa.

All travellers entering the USA under the Visa waiver programme must have a machine-readable passport.

If you're travelling to, or through, the USA and do not hold a machine-readable passport, you must either:

  • Obtain a machine-readable passport or,
  • Obtain a US entry visa. In this situation, keep your current non machine-readable passport and apply for a US entry visa, this may require that you attend an interview at the US Consulate General in Melbourne or Auckland.
What type of tourist visa should I apply for?

You’ll need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor.

The ESTA allows approved applicants to travel to the USA for up to 90 days for the purpose of tourism, certain types of business visits, and transit to another country. You will generally qualify if you hold a valid ‘British Citizen’ passport and if you haven’t been arrested for certain crimes. Further details on US immigration rules are available on the Customs and Border Protection website.

Nationals of all Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries require ESTA authorisation prior to travelling to the United States under VWP. Travellers from VWP counties, including Australia and New Zealand, are required to pay an operational and travel promotion fee when applying for ESTA.

For more information see the US Visa Information Service website.

Customs

How much money can I bring into the country?

Travellers entering the United States may take as much money as they wish into the country. You can take up to $10,000 in currency, coin and specific monetary instruments without reporting it to customs.

What happens to goods you declare?

Many agriculture products are prohibited entry into the United States from certain countries because they may carry plant pests and foreign animal diseases. All agriculture items must be declared and are subject to inspection by a CBP Agriculture Specialist at ports of entry to ensure they are free of plant pests and foreign animal diseases. Prohibited or restricted items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials. For generally allowed food items please visit USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Climate

What's the weather like?

The Southern states enjoy long, warm summers although humidity can be high in some areas, the more Northern states enjoy nice warm summers but can be much cooler in the winter.

Language

What are the main languages?

Unlike most other countries, the USA does not have any official languages. American English is the main language, spoken by 79% of the population. Spanish and Chinese are also spoken.

Currency & Money

What currency is used?

The currency in America is the US dollar and the famous green notes are probably the most recognisable currency in the world. ATM’s can be found just about everywhere, and all cities will have places where you can exchange currency into dollars.

Do I pay VAT in the USA?

Yes, you can expect to pay between 2.9% and 7.25% in sales tax on top of the advertised price.

Should I tip?

Tipping is an established and accepted custom in America. For good service, waiters and taxi drivers expect 15-20%, and counter and bar staff 10-15%. Porters can expect from $3-$5 per case, while tour guides can be given the equivalent of USD$3-$4 per day.

It is standard practice for many hotels and resorts to charge a mandatory resort fee which is payable locally. This fee can vary between $5 to $40 per room per night and cannot be included in the cost of your holiday.

When to visit

When is the best time to visit?

It all really depends where you wish to take your USA Motorhome adventure. As the USA is such a large country the climate can vary, but generally Spring and Fall are sunny & crisp. Our Colours of New England motorhome tour is best between September and October as the trees change to spectacular hues

Springtime can offer fantastic trips to California or Florida since it allows for exploration of national parks and sandy beaches before the summer crowds come.

The East Coast is lovely during Spring as well as in the Fall, temperatures can get quite high in the summer.

Winter in the USA is perfect for our Alaska motorhome tour where you can see the Northern Lights, glaciers and so much more.

Public Holidays

When are the public holidays?
1st JanuaryNew Year's Day
Third Monday in JanuaryMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
Third Monday in February

President's Day

Last Monday in MayMemorial Day
4th JulyIndependence Day
First Monday in SeptemberLabor Day
Second Monday in OctoberColumbus Day
11th NovemberVeterans Day
Last Thursday in NovemberThanksgiving Day
25th DecemberChristmas Day

Park Passes

What is a park pass?

Most National Parks in the US are free to enter however some do charge. The Park Pass is a membership scheme to grant free access to all charged National Parks in the USA.

We don't include National Park fees in our prices as its better value to pay this locally.

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