Documents required for travel to the United States: prepare for your adventure trip to North America

ByMoises Campos
Grand Canyon, South Kaibab Trail / Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford (Wikimedia Commons)
Grand Canyon, South Kaibab Trail / Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford (Wikimedia Commons)

To make your adventure trip to the United States of America an indispensable requirement is to have legal documentation. The travelling citizen must present a regular B1/B2 tourist visa or an entry authorisation THIS when the purpose of the trip is for tourism, business, medical purposes or if you are in transit to another country.

The following explains the documents required for travel to the United States so that you can prepare your adventure trip to North America.

Documents required to enter the United States

An ESTA will be required. Spain is one of the 40 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program. For this reason, it is possible to apply for ESTA, without the need to apply for a regular visa through the Embassy.

What is ESTA. Characteristics and requirements

ESTA is an electronic travel permit which allows its holders the possibility to stay in the United States for a maximum of 90 days per stay. This document does not allow its holder to work, study or live in the United States. Its main characteristics are:

  • It can only be applied for by nationals of countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program.
  • The resolution of applications is carried out within a maximum of 48 hours.
  • It is valid for stays of up to 90 days.
  • To be approved, the purpose of travel must be for tourism, medical purposes, business, or transit to another country.
  • This document will be required if entry is by air or sea. If by land, it is not required.
  • You need to have a valid passport that does not expire before you travel to the United States.
  • No change of status is allowed.
  • The ESTA USA visa waiver is valid for 2 years.
  • To enter the United States, the ESTA does not need to be printed.

The necessary requirements to apply for ESTA are as follows:

  • This form can be completed by the applicant in a few minutes, as the information provided is basic.
  • The traveller must enter his or her full name, passport details, and contact information. This should include home address, telephone number, and email address.
  • Most ESTA applications are processed and approved within minutes. It is recommended to process the application within 48 hours before the scheduled time of travel.

American B2 Tourist Visa

If the traveller's country is not listed in the VWP, he/she must apply for the American tourist visa B2at the US embassy. For this, it is important to prove that the person applying for the visa has sufficient funds to be able to cover the costs of travel and accommodation. You must also present documents proving family ties in your home country. These can be birth or marriage certificates.

With the tourist visa Travellers may enter the United States only for a certain period of time. During this period of time, the holder of a US visa may engage in leisure activities, visit friends or relatives, take English courses, among others.

Places of interest for your adventure trip to the USA

In general, this country has many shopping malls where many people go. Also interesting are the amusement parks, Disney parks, Las Vegas and many outdoor trails. For some people just visiting New York City is a reason to enjoy themselves. Others are attracted by the beaches of Miami or a visit to Hollywood.

American culture is very varied and although it has nothing to do with tourism in Spain, the truth is that it is a country that in one way or another influences the whole world, perhaps more than any other influence.

The United States has countless landscapes ideal for adventure and nature lovers. The following are ten of the most impressive sights for an adventurous trip to North America.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon of Arizona was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. It is 446 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide.

Death Valley

Death Valley in California contains the Badwater Basin salt flats. It is 86 metres below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America.

Arches National Park

It is located in Utah. It has more than 2,000 different stone arches created by nature.

Carlsbad Caverns

There are 83 limestone caverns beneath the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. They were formed by the erosion of sulphuric acid through limestone.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

It is made up of five volcanoes. One of them erupts regularly, allowing you to see the lava flowing from inside.

Eternal Flame Falls

Located in Chestnut Ridge Park, New York. This waterfall contains a grotto behind it that emits natural gas, allowing you to see a flame burning behind the waterfall water.

Crater Lake

It is located in the state of Oregon and is the deepest lake in the United States. At its deepest point it measures 594 metres.

Everglades National Park

The Florida Everglades is a 6,000-kilometre swampland of subtropical marshes and mangrove forests teeming with wildlife.

Mammoth Cave National Park

It is located in Kentucky and is the longest discovered cave system in the world.

Hamilton Pool

It is a natural pool located in Austin, Texas. It is hidden in a grotto and has a 15-metre waterfall.

Conclusion

With the information gathered here, you can now begin to prepare your adventure trip to North America, You should specifically pay special attention to the processing of the documents required for travel to the United States.