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Useful Information for Travelers
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The
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by
January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama,
Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to
enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the
implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to
complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be
published in the Federal Register in the near future.
This
is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United
States citizens entering the United States from countries within the
Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports.
This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who
currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United
States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas
Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be
affected by the implementation of this requirement. |
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For
your first passport, you must appear in person with a completed Form
DS-11, Passport Application, at one of the 13 U.S. passport
agencies or at many Federal and state courts, probate courts, at some
county/municipal offices, or at U.S. post offices authorized to accept
passport applications. The addresses of passport acceptance facilities in
your area are available on the Internet at travel.state.gov
or by calling 1-877-487-2778.)
All
minors must appear in person when applying for a passport. Minors under
age 14 must appear, and be accompanied by a parent or legal
guardian. Applicants age 14 and older may apply on their own IF
they have acceptable identification. The parent or legal guardian
may be contacted by the Passport Agency to ensure that they are giving
permission for issuance of the passport. If the applicant does not have
identification, then the parent or legal guardian must accompany the
applicant. For information on special requirements for children under age
14, visit travel.state.gov
or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
If
you have had a previous passport and wish to obtain a new one, you may be
eligible to apply by mail. |
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Traveler's
Checks
It is wise not to carry
large amounts of cash. You should take most of your money in traveler's
checks and remember to record the serial number, denomination and the date
and location of the issuing bank or agency. Keep this information in a
safe and separate place so, if you lose your traveler's checks, you can
quickly get replacements.
Credit Cards
Some credit cards can be used worldwide, even for cash advances.
Keep track of your credit card purchases so that you do not exceed your
limit. Travelers have been arrested overseas for mistakenly exceeding
their credit limit! Leave all unnecessary credit cards at home. Record the
numbers of the credit cards that you do bring, and keep the list
separately from the cards.
You should immediately report the loss or theft of your credit cards or
traveler's checks to the credit card companies and to the local police. If
you plan to stay in one place for some time, you might consider opening an
account for check cashing and other transactions at a U.S. bank that has
an overseas affiliate. U.S. embassies and consulates cannot cash
checks for you.
Before leaving on your trip, you may wish to check with your bank to see
if the country or countries that you plan to visit have Automated Teller
Machine (ATM) service. The bank should be able to tell you if you can use
your ATM card during your trip abroad.
Prepare for Emergency Funds
It is a good idea to keep the telephone number for your bank in
the United States with you, in case you run out of cash and need to
transfer money. In some countries, major banks and certain travel agencies
can help arrange a transfer of funds from your account to a foreign bank.
If you do not have a bank account from which you can obtain emergency
funds, you should make arrangements in advance with a relative or friend
to send you emergency funds should it become necessary. If you find
yourself destitute, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for
assistance in arranging a money wire transfer from a relative or friend in
the United States.
Foreign Currency
Before departing, you may wish to purchase small amounts of
foreign currency to use for buses, taxis, phones, or tips when you first
arrive. Foreign exchange facilities at airports may be closed when your
flight arrives. You can purchase foreign currency at some U.S. banks, at
foreign exchange firms, at foreign exchange windows, or even at vending
machines in many international airports in the United States.
Some countries regulate the amount of local currency that you can bring
into or take out of the country; others require that you exchange a
minimum amount of currency. For currency regulations, check with a bank, a
foreign exchange firm, your travel agent, or the embassy or consulate of
the countries that you plan to visit.
If you leave or enter the United States with more than $10,000 in monetary
instruments of any kind, you must file a report, Customs Form 4790,
with U.S. Customs at the time. Failure to comply can result in civil and
criminal proceedings.
Valuables -- Do Not Bring Them!
Do not bring anything on your trip that you would hate to
lose, such as expensive jewelry, family photographs, or objects of
sentimental value. If you bring jewelry, wear it discreetly to help
prevent snatch-and-run robbery. |
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If you have any questions about travel outside the
continental United States, feel free to contact us at 609-978-0740
For more useful travel tips, visit the official State
Department website |
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