You should have a minimum of one to two hundred dollars in American currency (in small bills) upon arrival at a U.S. airport, for tips to porters and for transportation into the city. There are money exchanges in all international airports, but it is a bother to stop at the moment of arrival when you also have to cope with immigration, customs, luggage, crowds, and fatigue. It is better to convert an adequate supply of money before departing. Taxi fares are rising rapidly in this country, and airports are generally several miles outside the city. Airport buses are much less expensive and are recommended unless you have a large number of people in your group or considerable luggage. A bus will take you to a central point in the city from which you can hire a cab to your final destination at far lower cost. Ask about them at the information desk at the airport. Many large hotels provide their own transportation (shuttle) to and from the airport; in some cases hotel guests may ride free of charge, and others may ride for a reasonable fee. A few cities have light rail service to their major airports.
Coins and Bills
American money can be quite confusing — one observer has concluded that our coinage was designed deliberately to confuse foreigners! After many years of circulation, the "greenback" look of U.S. currency is changing. The ten-, twenty-, and fifty-dollar bills have been updated in recent years with larger type, more colors, and greater security features. U.S coins, none of which has a numerical representation of their value, are as follows: 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter), and occasionally one-dollar coins. You may occasionally find a fifty-cent coin (half dollar), but there are very few still in circulation. All coins are silvercolored except for the penny, which is copper-colored, and the Sacagawea dollar, which is a gold color. You may also occasionally find a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, which is slightly larger than a quarter, with smooth edges. Although the coins can be confusing, they are still considerably easier to understand than are our weights and measures!
You often need to keep considerable change on hand, especially in cities, where exact change for buses is often required. Bus drivers are not allowed to make change in many cities. You may have to buy tokens or fare cards for bus travel. Ask where to do this, as it varies by city. Sales tax requires small coins, although stores will make change if needed. One confusing practice is that the list price of most items almost never includes the sales tax, which varies from state to state and even from city to city. Certain items in some localities are not taxed — food taken out, for example, or clothing up to a certain amount. Sales tax rates vary from 0 percent in some places to 8 percent or more in others!
Bills, or paper money, are all similar in color and size. You will have to look carefully to be sure you are using a $1 bill and not a $10 bill, for example. Bills that you are likely to use come in the following denominations: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The $50 and $100 bills are not carried by many people. You would be wise to carry only small-value bills ($20 bills or lower) with you. Taxi drivers, subway attendants, and some store clerks will not change anything larger than a twenty-dollar bill; most supermarkets and large department stores will, however.
It is a good idea to get a selection of American coins and bills from your bank before leaving home and practice with them so that you can recognize them easily. If you do this with children, too, they can also become comfortable with the currency before they even arrive.
There is no limit to the dollars you may bring into or take out of the United States; however, large cash sums must be declared at customs; in addition, your own country may restrict the amount you are allowed to take with you. You will need to check on that before leaving home.
Winter temperatures throughout much of the country range from 0°F (or below) to about 65°F (-20°C to 18°C). You should also be prepared for a good deal of wind. For outdoor wear, insulated coats or down parkas with hoods, warm mittens or gloves, and a hat and scarf are essential in many places in the North. Many people do not realize that 75 percent of heat loss is through radiation from the head; a warm hat (one that covers the ears) is one of the best ways to brave the cold. There is often snow, but in most cities it is quickly cleared, especially in the northernmost part of the country where cities are well equipped with sand, salt, and snowplows. In southern areas, the winter climate is much warmer.
Indoors, in winter, buildings are likely to be kept somewhere around 65°–68° (18°–20° Celsius) or higher — much warmer than in Europe. You will need lightweight wool for winter, with additional sweaters, jackets, coats, or ponchos to put on or take off easily as you move from outdoors to indoors. Those who come from hot climates will perhaps feel the cold very much at first and should be prepared with layers, such as extra scarves or sweaters, and warm underwear. You will also need a light jacket during the four in-between months of spring and autumn (April-May and September – October). The combination type with removable zip-out lining is especially useful. A raincoat and umbrella are essential almost everywhere in the U.S., except for the driest areas of the Southwest.
Summer in much of the U.S. is hot. Temperatures in the 90s (low to mid 30s Celsius) are not uncommon even in areas known for their winter cold, such as Minnesota. In the Midwest and the Southeast, summertime humidity makes the warm temperatures even more uncomfortable. In the Southwest, temperatures can soar to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). Although people like to say "But it's a dry heat" (meaning that lower humidity makes it less uncomfortable), newcomers usually take some time to adjust to these extremes. Needless to say, central air conditioning is considered a near-necessity in these areas.
Specific research on the areas you will be visiting or living that take into account the time of year of your visit will help assure your comfort. Remember too that the prevalence of discount stores means that outfitting yourself and your family after you arrive need not be an unduly expensive proposition.
Americans in general like bright colors, and dress is informal, even in the cities. Few women wear hats, for example, except during cold, windy weather or for very dressy occasions such as weddings. Dark business suits for men and cocktail dresses for women suffice at most evening functions. People rarely wear formal attire (tuxedos and long evening dresses) for the theater except on opening nights of professional productions.
Children and teenagers dress very casually except for special occasions when they are dressed in party clothes. In many parochial schools and a small number of other private schools, uniforms are required (indeed, a few public schools are experimenting with required uniforms). Some schools still require jackets and ties for boys (or just ties). In general, though, boys and girls wear a variety of sturdy and informal clothes to school, often jeans and T-shirts, sweatshirts, or sweaters. During the summer months children and teenagers often wear shorts and T-shirts. The trend for teenagers is increasingly individualistic — even bizarre. Dress-up occasions can be quite competitive, ranging anywhere from "doing your own thing" to formal dresses and suits, depending on the geography and on personal taste. The cost of outfitting a teenager for a prom (a kind of formal school dance) can be quite a shock for some newcomers.
If you are renting a furnished apartment or house, moving is a relatively simple matter. You move exactly as you would for a stay in a hotel, although you might bring a few extra items.
If you are moving all your household goods to this country, you or your company will probably have arranged the transfer through a specialist. Large national and international movers have experienced packers and good equipment. You should inventory all your belongings carefully, making separate lists of those items that are going into storage, those being shipped to your new home, and those going to be cared for in some other way.
Inventories should be reasonably detailed, but you can group together and record the number of boxes of kitchen items, children's clothing, desk contents, and so forth. You do not have to itemize down to the last spoon.
Before any packers or movers come, you should sort out your belongings into separate categories as much as you can. Mark storage goods and those to be shipped with different-colored tags or stickers to avoid confusion or errors. You must also carefully supervise the movers as they work.
As the boxes are being packed for your new destination, mark each completed carton clearly in large letters on the outside as books, children's toys, kitchen supplies, and so on. This will help both the movers and you when you finally get into your new home.
When you discover how expensive it is to ship household goods, you will probably agree that it often makes better sense to buy basic equipment, such as dishes, sheets, towels, and saucepans, here rather than to ship your own — unless, of course, your company is assuming all shipping costs.
Furthermore, you may want to think carefully about bringing any pieces of furniture or cherished items, such as a delicate clock, an antique desk, your favorite chair. The best rule to follow is this: if the item were lost or broken, how would you feel? Picture the crate being lifted by a ship's crane and then dropped into the ship's hold or sitting on a dock during a heavy rain. Probably neither of these things will happen, because most goods today are packed well, but think about the possibility of such hazards. You may decide to leave your most valued possessions at home.
What will the climate be like in the part of the United States to which you are going? If you will be in sunny California, hot Arizona, or moist Florida, you should consider leaving heavy rugs, big upholstered chairs, velvet draperies, and the like at home. In hot areas it is practical to use rattan, glass, or wicker and to use louvers or shutters rather than draperies at the windows.
If you are coming as a student, or to work for a particular employer who has filed a petition on your behalf, you can also bring your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. They will need their own passports and visas. They may study in the primary and secondary schools in the United States, but unless you are working for your own government or an international government agency (and have the appropriate nonimmigrant status), your dependents may not be employed in the U.S. If your spouse or child wishes to attend college, he or she will need to obtain a student status. The foreign student adviser at the college or university your student will attend can help.
If you have a non-spousal partner (a domestic partner who is not your husband or wife) or if you have domestic servants who have been in your employ for at least one year, they can apply for a special version of the tourist (B-2) or business (B1) visa. This will make it easier for them to renew their stays in the United States.
Some items that may not be brought into the United States without special permits are listed below.
Medications. If you must bring in a special prescription, be sure to get a permit in advance. Inquire at a U.S. consulate for details.
Plants. No fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, cuttings, or plant products may be imported without writing ahead for permission. The reason for this regulation is that the United States is attempting to prevent insects or plant diseases from being brought into the country. Contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/).
Meats and hides. To avoid importing animal diseases, permission is needed to bring in meats (including dried fish, sausages, salamis, etc.) and untanned furs or hides. If you wish to bring any of these to the United States, write to
Animal Health Division
U.S. Agricultural Research Service
Hyattsville, MD 20782
www.usda.gov/
Goods from certain countries. One cannot import goods of any kind originating in certain countries. Inquiries should be made to
Foreign Assets Control
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20220
www.ustreas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/
Gold. There are tight restrictions regarding gold, gold coins, gold-coin jewelry, or medals.
Firearms and ammunition. Guns and ammunition are regulated by the Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Bureau (www.atf.gov/firearms/feib/). No ammunition, pistols, or revolvers may be shipped in the U.S. mail.
If you have questions on customs regulations that cannot be answered by your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, write
Customs and Border Patrol
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20226
www.customs.gov/
The Customs Agency is concerned with what you are bringing into the U.S. They make sure that what you bring is permissible and that duty, or import tax, is collected if it is due. Personal property is usually not subject to duty, but if you bring, for example, one hundred compact discs of your favorite artist to give as gifts, you might appear to be an importer rather than a student.
You may be asking yourself, "What can I bring into the United States without paying duty?" "Can I bring gifts?" "Must I declare everything?" "Is there anything that I may not bring?"
You should obtain from the nearest U.S. consulate a copy of the pamphlet Customs Hints for Visitors (Nonresidents), which gives full answers to all such questions. Below are summaries of the regulations...
Your entry into the U.S. may be granted or denied (or delayed) by the Customs and Border Patrol officer, called an inspector. She or he will admit you for a period of time consistent with the type of visa you have in your passport. If you were not fingerprinted when you obtained a visa, it is likely that you will be fingerprinted at this point. Most people who know others who have traveled to the U.S. have heard at least one horror story about being ill-treated by an immigration official. Sadly, there are indeed people who are unpleasant or rude, even threatening. But rarely do we hear about the millions — literally millions — of entries that go off smoothly and end with a cheerful "Enjoy your visit."
It is important to remember that no immigration inspector wants to be the one who lets a person with terrorist plans into the United States. The officers are understandably cautious and will expect you to be able to prove any claims you make. If you have letters from colleagues or friends you are visiting, bring them. If you are planning to study in the U.S., have your letters of admission and I-20 form or other documents ready.
Particularly if you are from countries that the U.S. government believes have links to terrorists or, sadly, from any Middle Eastern country, be especially ready for some questioning about your plans during your stay in the U.S. What these officers are trained to do is look for inconsistencies in your answers, or for body language that indicates someone is lying. If you are relaxed and answer honestly, even if you don't know an answer, you will not likely be singled out for more attention. Remember to look the inspector in the eye; Americans in general, and immigration inspectors specifically, distrust anyone who won't make eye contact at least some of the time. On the other hand, don't stare either...
Visas are granted by consular officials who work in consulates or embassies outside the United States. Overworked and understaffed, they typically have to decide to grant or deny a visa application in under a minute. It is essential to be prepared for your visa interview. Rehearse your answers to the questions you might expect, such as where you plan to live while in the U.S. and how long you will be there. Given the short time the consular officers have to make a decision, they are strongly inclined to deny most applicants who hesitate with their answers. Bring with you every document related to both your proposed stay in the United States and to your ties to your own country. Most visa applicants must prove that they intend to return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay. Documents that show you own property, have close family remaining, or will be employed upon your return can be very helpful. If you are denied a visa at first, don't panic. You can usually apply again without a waiting period, although the fee has to be paid each time you apply.
Tourists and businesspeople from certain countries do not need visas if their visit will be fewer than ninety days. Those who come on this Visa Waiver Program cannot, under any circumstances, extend their stay or change the purpose of their visit. It is essential to take the time to obtain the correct type of visa before you leave home. Each visa type has its own limitations and benefits, so seeking advice from a qualified immigration attorney is prudent. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (www.aila.org) can help you find one.
One effect of these changes has been the reorganization of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). In the United States, permission to enter the United States is determined by two different parts of the United States government. Visas, which are stamps in passports, are granted by the Department of State at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your country. The visa is just the first step; it is simply permission to apply for entry at a port of entry (usually an international airport) for a particular purpose. The second is clearing immigration at your port of entry. The official at the airport is an employee of the Customs and Border Patrol, part of which was formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This new agency combines the immigration inspectors at points of entry into the United States, the customs department, and the part of the Department of Agriculture that looks for illegal plant imports. Customs and Border Control is part of the new Department of Homeland Security.
One of the most significant changes in the process of coming to the U.S. is a new requirement that biometric data (primarily fingerprints) be taken on each person entering the country. Although it is to be phased in over time, it is quite likely that by the time you read this, it will be required of everyone. Even those from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (those coming for short stays, for tourism or business, primarily from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Western Europe) will be required to have a passport with biometric identifiers.
After September 11, 2001, the United States began a series of initiatives intended to enhance the security of our borders. Fierce debate continues to rage about these initiatives, with some people arguing that the government has not gone far enough and that our borders are still too porous. Others have begun to complain that at least some of these initiatives are too cumbersome and just plain unwelcoming. They argue that new policies provide more hassles than real security, and that the cost to the United States — in reduced tourism, trade, and fewer foreign students and scholars coming to the U.S. — will hurt us in ways that far exceed any real benefits. In any event, traveling to the United States has become more complicated in recent years. Changes in immigration and customs regulations may result in much longer processing times for visas, work permits, shipment of your belongings, and so on. It cannot be emphasized enough that advance planning is needed. It is imperative to understand as much of the bureaucracy as possible before you leave your country. Entering with the wrong visa type can mean months of frustrating delays and unnecessary (not to mention expensive) trips back home.