VISAS: The following nationals DO NOT require a visa: United States, citizens of Bermuda, provided passports are endorsed "Holder Possesses Bermuda Status", or a separate certificate of Bermuda status, if the bearer does not possess Bermudian status they must have a landing permit, re-entry permit or residential certificate/card for entry , citizens of Canada, travelling on a valid Canadian passport, nationals of Mexico, travelling on a valid Mexican passport & holding a United States B-1/B-2 Visa & Border Crossing Cards, For DSP-150, for stays up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program to citizens of United Kingdom (passports indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, British Protected Person or holders of passports which states holder has Right of Abode or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom do not qualify for visa free travel), citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland.
Travellers under the Visa Waiver Program must also meet all of the following requirements: the traveller is a citizen of one of the countries named above, travelling on a valid, individual machine-readable passport, travelling for business, pleasure or transit stays for 90 days or less, if entering by air or sea is holding a return or onward ticket. If travelling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to Immigration at port of entry. Travellers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas, be entering aboard an air or sea carrier that has agreed to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, be in possession of a completed form I-94W, obtainable from airline & shipping companies or, if entering by land from Canada or Mexico be in possession of a completed form I-94W, issued by the immigration authorities at the port of entry plus a USD 6 fee, payable in USD only.
Children require individual visas. Old style visas which were issued to bearer & covered all those named in the passport are no longer issued. Some travellers are not eligible by law to enter the US. These include people with criminal records, certain serious communicable illnesses, previous deportations from the United States, previous overstays on the Visa Waiver Program & certain other problems. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to United States visa law. Such travellers may not travel visa-free & must apply for special visas. If they attempt to travel without a visa, they will be refused entry into the United States.
TRANSIT VISAS: Required by all except travellers who qualify for visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Application for entry is made on arrival/departure form I-94W provided by the airline or shipping company. If transiting the United States to a destination in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, the traveller may re-enter the United States on the return journey using any mode of transport, as long as the total visit, including both periods of time spent in transit & in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, does not exceed 90 days. If transiting to a destination outside of Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands, the return journey must be on a participating carrier, but need not be within 90 days, as the traveller will be required to make a new application for admission & therefore, required to complete a new arrival/departure for I-94W.
HEALTH: There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required.
Recommended immunisations: Tetanus & Polio.
WEATHER: Due to the large size of the country, there are nine general climatic regions: North Eastern States: Very cold winters with heavy snow & hot summers. Moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Southern Atlantic States: Warm all year and humid in summer. The north is cooler in winter with occasional snow. Florida is greatly affected by thunderstorms particularly in summer. Hurricanes can be a hazard between Jul-Oct.
Mid-West: Winters are cold with heavy snow in the north. Summers are warm with the occasional heat wave and drought. Rainfall is heavier in the east.
Southern and Gulf States: Occasional cold spells in winter but less prolonged. Summers are warm with most rain in the east. Hurricanes and tornados are a hazard.
Rocky Mountains: Winter is cooler and wetter in the north with snow in the higher regions. Summers are hot particularly in the south.
Pacific North West: Winters are mild and wet, summers are generally warm but with fog on the coast.
California: Mild, wet winters and warm or hot summers with very little rain. Los Angeles is affected by smog.
Alaska: Very long and severe winters with heavy snow and a wind-chill hazard. Summers are cool on the coast, milder inland with moderate rainfall.
Hawaiian Islands: Warm throughout the year. Certain parts of the islands can be very wet. The Island is occasionally affected by tropical cyclones May-Nov.

Please contact the embassy at:
Embassy of United States
Visa Unit, 24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
tel: +44 20 7499 9000, 0906 820 0290* (visa enq), 0905 544 4546 ** (live info)
e-mail: londonconsular@state.gov
website: www.usembassy.org.uk
* calls cost 60p per minute
** calls cost £1.30 per minute