Travelling to the States in October

Forums › Off topic › Travelling to the States in October - tips, advice?

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Lizard1977

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#869937 1-Aug-2013 13:35

Thanks for all these replies. It's great feedback...

Re: the train. I had originally considered taking it from DC to NYC, but when I went onto Amtrak, it seemed to say that there was no checked baggage (meaning, presumably, you had to lug it on the train with you). I'm only planning on taking one suitcase, but it will be large-ish, and I don't think I would be very popular if it's a small train and I've got a large suitcase with me. Is it do-able, or is there a better way? Also - good tip about the cost of a taxi effectively balancing out the cost of the plane option vs the train.

As for Dubuque, it's the host community that has been selected for me, so it will be mostly work-focussed rather than for tourist or entertainment value.

I've learned earlier today that my employer will be covering travel insurance, so that's one less thing to worry about...

wellygary

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#870005 1-Aug-2013 14:37

Lizard1977:
wellygary:
eracode: It's probably obvious but do you know about ESTA?

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Can be easly overlooked and travel agents often forget to tell people.

He's on a State Department sponsored exchange, they might even make him jump through the hoops and get a J-1 Visa, so an ESTA is not applicable

http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/international-visitor/

Correct. Just finished the Visa application yesterday. Boy - that's an experience! I laughed (at the security questions), I cried (at the horrendously detailed requirements for the photo), it was the pinnacle of bureacratic mumbo-jumbo...

Cool, just remember that when the cabin crew on the plane start giving out the arrival forms, you want a white one (I-94) , not a green one, (I-94W)

The Green ones are for those using the Visa Waver programme- ( most NZ tourists)

but as a plus you don't get to tick boxes to deny being a Nazi, or having being convicted of a crime involving "moral turpitude" ( Which are all on a I-94W)

floydbloke

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#870141 1-Aug-2013 16:52

Lizard1977:

I've learned earlier today that my employer will be covering travel insurance, so that's one less thing to worry about...

Make sure you check with the insurance provider that you'll also be covered for the few days 'holiday' that you may be tacking on the end.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

Lizard1977

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#871512 4-Aug-2013 09:56

wellygary:
Lizard1977:
wellygary:
eracode: It's probably obvious but do you know about ESTA?

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Can be easly overlooked and travel agents often forget to tell people.

He's on a State Department sponsored exchange, they might even make him jump through the hoops and get a J-1 Visa, so an ESTA is not applicable

http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/international-visitor/

Correct. Just finished the Visa application yesterday. Boy - that's an experience! I laughed (at the security questions), I cried (at the horrendously detailed requirements for the photo), it was the pinnacle of bureacratic mumbo-jumbo...

Cool, just remember that when the cabin crew on the plane start giving out the arrival forms, you want a white one (I-94) , not a green one, (I-94W)

The Green ones are for those using the Visa Waver programme- ( most NZ tourists)

but as a plus you don't get to tick boxes to deny being a Nazi, or having being convicted of a crime involving "moral turpitude" ( Which are all on a I-94W)

Thanks for the heads up. I had the joy of answering those types of questions during the visa application. I think my favourite was asking whether, as a government official, I had ever been involved in "particularly severe incidents of religious oppression." I love the specificity - if you're not a government official, or if the religious oppression was only severe (not "particularly" severe), then you were fine!

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