The United States has a lot to offer a person whether you are going for business or pleasure. As far as business goes, there is Silicon Valley, the hub of all things technology-related, and there are other financial hubs. America has a lot to offer to people who are seeking pleasure. Whether you are an art aficionado, a thrill-seeker, or you want some peace and tranquility, there is something for everyone. You can visit Disney World if you are with your family, or try one of the various hiking trails, go for paragliding, visit the beaches, or any of the thousands of activities that are there for you. All you have to do is to pack up your stuff and head out.
Here we have compiled a list of 5 essential things that you must have on your trip to the United States. They are just the essentials like a USA sim card, and other things that you cannot do without; it is not by any means a complete list of what you can take. As long as you have these essentials, you can carry anything else that you want depending on the kind of trip that you have planned. Make sure that you have them and you will never have to face any problems during your trip.
- Visas and passports
- Vaccinations
- Phone and internet
- Power equipment
- Travel Insurance
1. Visas and passports
There are some countries like Australia who are part of the United State’s VWP, which is the Visa Waiver Program. And this means that if you are an Australian passport holder, then you can visit the United States any time you want without the need for a visa. You can arrange a trip for 90 days or less for either business or pleasure. Of course, you will have to pass the eligibility requirements. Now don’t go thinking that you can book a flight and show up at the airport just like that. You need to show that you are eligible, and for that, you need to have a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). You have to apply for it through the US government website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ at least 72 hours before departing for the United States. And this is because your application might get rejected for some reason, and you will have to make the necessary changes. So make sure that you apply properly and before time. If for some reason, your ESTA is rejected, then you will need to apply for a visa formally through the US embassy. The ESTA is valid for around two years, and you can visit the US multiple times so it won’t harm you to apply for it well in advance of your trip. Once you have got the approval, make copies and keep them with you at all times.
Scam alert
One thing that you need to look out for is that there are now some websites and emails that try to scam you. They offer everything like ESTA arrangements for a fee. Some of those websites and emails look and feel a lot like they are official through their design and language. Make sure that you only go to the official site for your ESTA and nowhere else.
2. Vaccinations
Usually, there are no vaccination specifications for travelers to the United States, but experts recommend that you check the official sites regularly so that you are up to date. If you are concerned about any outbreaks, go to the official site of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/.
3. Phone and internet
Now the one thing that you cannot forget is your way of communication with the world. And this is especially the case if you are on a business trip and you need to stay in touch with your office. But even if you are here for pleasure, you need to keep a line open in case of an emergency back home or with you. Also, if you are in the United States for pleasure, then you will need to record your adventure and share it with your family and friends or share it with your followers on the various social media channels. A lot of influencers live to stream their adventures. Whether they visit the rocky mountains, the beaches in Florida, or anywhere else, you can easily find their streams on Facebook, Instagram or any other social media platform.
Global roaming and coverage
You have to check if your mobile phones will work on some US network or not. Most phones operate on the GSM standard, whereas in the United States you will find both GSM and CDMA. And this could mean for a patchy network for you. If you use your own SIM in the United States, you might be seeing huge bills. So check with your service provider for roaming charges.
Local SIM
A great option is to purchase a local SIM while you are in the United States. As long as your phone is unlocked, you can get it easily. You can get a pre-paid SIM in the US, but there is a chance that they don’t sell you the SIM without a handset. The better option is to buy your SIM online before you leave Australia or any other country from where you belong.
4. Power/Charging Equipment
For your sake and the sake of your electronic equipment, you should carry all power plugs, power sockets, and any other charging equipment like cables with you at all times. You may find that there is a difference in voltage in the US as compared to your country. Electronic devices are equipped to work on multiple voltages, but it is best to be sure. You might also need an adapter for your electronic equipment if you are concerned that your devices are incompatible with the voltage available in the United States.
5. Travel insurance
The cost of medical care in the United States is staggering, and it could be quite bothersome for you if you go to the US and get sick or injured. That is why you need to have Travel insurance with you when you go. There are a lot of options for you, so do your research before applying for travel insurance. You can apply for it when you book your trip, this way you will be covered even if you have to cancel your trip or delay it. Always read the fine print when you are applying for travel insurance and check for anything that is not a part of that policy. And this could be anything from sports like skiing, sky diving, rock climbing, and others to preexisting medical conditions as well as any injury that happens while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
CONCLUSION
These are the essential elements of your trip to the United States of America. Make sure that you have these things handled and you won’t have to worry about most of your problems. Also, make sure that you check the weather before you go so that you pack your clothes accordingly.
