Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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For International Visitors
The pervasiveness of American culture around the world may make you feel
that you know the United States pretty well, but leaving your own country still
requires an additional degree of planning. This chapter will help prepare you for
the more common problems you may encounter in Las Vegas.
1 Preparing for Your Trip
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Check at any U.S. embassy or consulate
for current information and
requirements. You can also obtain a
visa application and other information
online at the U.S. State Department’s
website, at www.travel.state.gov.
VISAS The U.S. State Department
has a Visa Waiver Program allowing
citizens of certain countries to enter
the United States without a visa for
stays of up to 90 days. At press time
these included Andorra, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the
United Kingdom. Citizens of these
countries need only a valid passport
and a round-trip air or cruise ticket in
their possession upon arrival. If they
first enter the United States, they may
also visit Mexico, Canada, Bermuda,
and/or the Caribbean islands and
return to the United States without a
visa. Further information is available
from any U.S. embassy or consulate.
Canadian citizens may enter the
United States without visas; they need
only proof of residence.
Citizens of all other countries must
have (1) a valid passport that expires at
least 6 months later than the scheduled
end of their visit to the United
States, and (2) a tourist visa, which
may be obtained without charge from
any U.S. consulate.
To obtain a visa, the traveler must
submit a completed application form
(either in person or by mail) with a
1 1 ⁄2-inch-square photo, and must
demonstrate binding ties to a residence
abroad. Usually you can obtain
a visa at once or within 24 hours, but
it may take longer during the summer
rush from June through August. If you
cannot go in person, contact the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate for
directions on applying by mail. Your
travel agent or airline office may also
be able to provide you with visa applications
and instructions. The U.S.
consulate or embassy that issues your
visa will determine whether you will
be issued a multiple- or single-entry
visa and any restrictions regarding the
length of your stay.
British subjects can obtain up-todate
visa information by calling the
U.S. Embassy Visa Information
Line (& 0891/200-290) or by visiting
the “Consular Services” section of
the American Embassy London’s website
at www.usembassy.org.uk.
Irish citizens can obtain up-todate
visa information through the
Embassy of USA Dublin, 42 Elgin