Travelling to the USA for a Vacation? Keep these Documents Handy

Leisure travel isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s a therapy for our mind, body, and soul. Offering a well-deserved break from the hustle-bustle of daily life, leisure travel helps reduce stress and promote emotional wellbeing. But to ensure reduced stress levels and more enjoyment, it is important that you plan your trip wisely, well in advance to avoid any last-minute/unexpected hassles. This is particularly important when you are travelling to the United States of America. The country has some special travel requirements for overseas travellers, so you must check the same and have all travel documents in place to avoid problems later. These may include your passport, visa, travel insurance policy, and hotel reservation receipts. Let’s take a look at the travel documents you need for a leisure trip to the United States.

What is a travel document?

A travel document is a proof of identity issued by a government/international treaty organisation. Only when you have this proof handy, can you cross national borders and enter another country. Some examples of travel documents include passport, visa, air tickets and accommodation details.

While you must have a set of travel documents to enter any foreign country, the requirements vary from country to country. Therefore, when planning an overseas trip, check the documents you must have to enter the country you intend to travel to and carry them with you for a stress-free vacation.

Travel documents for leisure travel to the United States

If you are planning a trip to the United States of America, you must have the following travel documents handy:

1. Passport: You must have a valid passport to travel to the United States. Moreover, your passport must have at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended duration of stay in the country.
2. Visa: If you plan a leisure trip to the United States, you must apply for a tourist visa, i.e., the B-2 visa. The visa application process involves the following:

• Fill out the visa application form DS-160 online and upload a recent photograph with it. The photograph must not be more than 6 months old and should meet the photograph requirements. Take a print of the application confirmation page.
• Make an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India. Keep a print of the page confirming your interview appointment handy.
• On the day of your visa interview, carry your passport, a printout of the application form confirmation page, and a coloured photograph for your visa interview.
• You must also carry the receipt of the non-immigrant or tourist visa application fee, i.e., $185 (ensure to crosscheck the prices on the official website before your visit).
• Make sure you have the following supporting documents handy for verification:
  1. Travel itinerary or some evidence stating the purpose of your trip
  2. Proof of funds, such as your bank statements attested by the bank
  3. Proof of accommodation in India
  4. Property documents
  5. Proof of employment or business, such as your employment letter on the company’s letterhead
  6. Invitation letter (if you are invited) by a resident or citizen of the United States.
  7. Old passports containing visas of your previous visits to the country (if you have been to the United States before).

3. Travel insurance: Although travel insurance is not mandatory for Indians travelling to the United States, it is wise to keep this insurance product handy to cover trip-related uncertainties. The policy can cover flight delays and cancellations, loss of checked-in baggage, emergency medical expenses, loss of passport, personal liabilities in a foreign country, and more. Therefore, having this insurance product can ensure peace of mind and help you make the most of your trip.

Many insurers in India offer travel insurance for the USA online. You can quickly shortlist, compare a few and choose one that best matches your travel requirements and budget.

4. Other documents: Some additional documents you must carry with you during your leisure trip to the United States are:

• International driving permit or international driving license
• Hotel reservation receipts
• Flight tickets
• Passport size photos, as you require them for permits/passes

Conclusion

These are the travel documents that you must have for your leisure trip to the United States. Besides these, remember to carry enough cash (local currency), international debit/credit cards, and phone numbers of your friends and relatives in India and the United States. Most importantly, keep a good travel insurance policy handy to ease your worries in a foreign land. If you fall sick, lose your baggage or need emergency cash during the trip, the insurer is a call away.