Many questions one thread!!
Many questions one thread!!
Right I have two entirely different questions to ask!
1) I am doing a 21 day trek from coast to coast America in July - do i need a VISA? I had a bit of a look online and have seen about a VISA waiver thing if I have the right passport with the code bit (which I do) So do I just not worry about anything then fill it out on the plane over?
2) I am also going to South Africa for 3 weeks and wasn't sure what health stuff I need to sort out? I'll be based in a church building working with babies and children with HIV/AIDS etc. It is in Grabauw, Cape Province.
Any help on these will be greatly appreciated!!!
How exicted am I?! Two whole months away :yay:
Answers:
1) I am doing a 21 day trek from coast to coast America in July - do i need a VISA? I had a bit of a look online and have seen about a VISA waiver thing if I have the right passport with the code bit (which I do) So do I just not worry about anything then fill it out on the plane over?
Whether you can take advantage of the visa waiver scheme depends on your nationality, the nature and duration of your trip and type of passport. Assuming you are a UK national (or other waiver scheme eligible nationality), with the machine-readable passport (which you have), are going for holiday/business trip of less than 90 days duration (which you are) and can show return flight ticket and not shock US Immigration with unfit answers to any of the ridiculous questions it puts on its waiver forms, then you will get in without problem. Your airline will supply all the paperwork needed shortly before landing in the USA.
Visa Waiver Scheme info
2) I am also going to South Africa for 3 weeks and wasn't sure what health stuff I need to sort out? I'll be based in a church building working with babies and children with HIV/AIDS etc. It is in Grabauw, Cape Province.
You can start by looking up the country/province on http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/ website and reading their recommendations. Make sure your regular vaccinations are up to date. You could also contact the people you'll be working alongside out there or the agency that has found you the work position and ask for their advice on health precautions to take for that specific area?
Answers:
Thanks so much Augusta - I am a UK national etc so I'll read that site thoroughly and it should all be alright! Although I must say I'm going alone to the states and am not looking forward to the many questions etc as I have heard so much about the security checks and the scary people working there!
As for the SA trip I'll definately check with my trip advisors and see what they recommend but thanks also for that site (I had had a look but couldn't find much!) I managed to find out that
"Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; rabies; cholera." So there is a fair amount to look into!
Thanks again :great:
Answers:
Hi Mooferoo,
For your SA trip, here's another website that will give travel info:
Center for Disease Control (US gov website)
In both the above and the fit for travel website, make sure to also read the notes about the jabs advised or mentioned. There is a great difference between travel to holiday resorts and travel off the beaten track and to places where you'll be in close and/or longer term contact with the local population.
When I say to make sure your regular vaccinations are up to date, I mean diphtheria, tetanus, polio (usually boosted as a 3-in-1 jab once every 10 years). I think that every traveller should make the effort to ensure they keep these immunisations up to date.
For travel really off the beaten track where I might be unable to ensure top hygiene, I also make sure that I am up to date on jabs for typhoid (valid 3 years), hepatitis A & B (booster jab every 10 years in their latest versions).
Ask about the possibility of crossing rabid animals (not just dogs) in the area you'll be living, as to whether to take the rabies jab (expensive but a life saver if bitten!).
Back on the subject of scary US immigration officials, it will all depend upon the one person at whose booth you end up presenting your passport and papers. Some just do the passport scan and stamping and scribbling in near silence, others ask you questions in friendly or less friendly tones. There's no predicting which type you'll get, I'm afraid! Just calmly answer the questions and wait for the clunk of the admission stamp... Hope you have a great trip coast to coast!
Answers:
I would also check to see if you need to take anti-Maleria tablets for South Africa as certain parts are very infected with it.
There are some great questions on the VISA waiver form:
Are you or have you ever been a member of the communist party?
Is it your intention to bring down the Goverment of the USA?
If you do have any kind of criminal conviction or been arrested at any point you may need an actual VISA as the US database doesn't recognise spent convictions under our rehabilitation of offender laws!
Right I have two entirely different questions to ask!
1) I am doing a 21 day trek from coast to coast America in July - do i need a VISA? I had a bit of a look online and have seen about a VISA waiver thing if I have the right passport with the code bit (which I do) So do I just not worry about anything then fill it out on the plane over?
2) I am also going to South Africa for 3 weeks and wasn't sure what health stuff I need to sort out? I'll be based in a church building working with babies and children with HIV/AIDS etc. It is in Grabauw, Cape Province.
Any help on these will be greatly appreciated!!!
How exicted am I?! Two whole months away :yay:
Answers:
1) I am doing a 21 day trek from coast to coast America in July - do i need a VISA? I had a bit of a look online and have seen about a VISA waiver thing if I have the right passport with the code bit (which I do) So do I just not worry about anything then fill it out on the plane over?
Whether you can take advantage of the visa waiver scheme depends on your nationality, the nature and duration of your trip and type of passport. Assuming you are a UK national (or other waiver scheme eligible nationality), with the machine-readable passport (which you have), are going for holiday/business trip of less than 90 days duration (which you are) and can show return flight ticket and not shock US Immigration with unfit answers to any of the ridiculous questions it puts on its waiver forms, then you will get in without problem. Your airline will supply all the paperwork needed shortly before landing in the USA.
Visa Waiver Scheme info
2) I am also going to South Africa for 3 weeks and wasn't sure what health stuff I need to sort out? I'll be based in a church building working with babies and children with HIV/AIDS etc. It is in Grabauw, Cape Province.
You can start by looking up the country/province on http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/ website and reading their recommendations. Make sure your regular vaccinations are up to date. You could also contact the people you'll be working alongside out there or the agency that has found you the work position and ask for their advice on health precautions to take for that specific area?
Answers:
Thanks so much Augusta - I am a UK national etc so I'll read that site thoroughly and it should all be alright! Although I must say I'm going alone to the states and am not looking forward to the many questions etc as I have heard so much about the security checks and the scary people working there!
As for the SA trip I'll definately check with my trip advisors and see what they recommend but thanks also for that site (I had had a look but couldn't find much!) I managed to find out that
"Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; rabies; cholera." So there is a fair amount to look into!
Thanks again :great:
Answers:
Hi Mooferoo,
For your SA trip, here's another website that will give travel info:
Center for Disease Control (US gov website)
In both the above and the fit for travel website, make sure to also read the notes about the jabs advised or mentioned. There is a great difference between travel to holiday resorts and travel off the beaten track and to places where you'll be in close and/or longer term contact with the local population.
When I say to make sure your regular vaccinations are up to date, I mean diphtheria, tetanus, polio (usually boosted as a 3-in-1 jab once every 10 years). I think that every traveller should make the effort to ensure they keep these immunisations up to date.
For travel really off the beaten track where I might be unable to ensure top hygiene, I also make sure that I am up to date on jabs for typhoid (valid 3 years), hepatitis A & B (booster jab every 10 years in their latest versions).
Ask about the possibility of crossing rabid animals (not just dogs) in the area you'll be living, as to whether to take the rabies jab (expensive but a life saver if bitten!).
Back on the subject of scary US immigration officials, it will all depend upon the one person at whose booth you end up presenting your passport and papers. Some just do the passport scan and stamping and scribbling in near silence, others ask you questions in friendly or less friendly tones. There's no predicting which type you'll get, I'm afraid! Just calmly answer the questions and wait for the clunk of the admission stamp... Hope you have a great trip coast to coast!
Answers:
I would also check to see if you need to take anti-Maleria tablets for South Africa as certain parts are very infected with it.
There are some great questions on the VISA waiver form:
Are you or have you ever been a member of the communist party?
Is it your intention to bring down the Goverment of the USA?
If you do have any kind of criminal conviction or been arrested at any point you may need an actual VISA as the US database doesn't recognise spent convictions under our rehabilitation of offender laws!