Travel Tips

An enormous stained glass sculpture of a Blue crab sits on display in BWI Airport.

Photo by fishfoot (Flickr). CC BY-NC 2.0

International Travel

COVID Travel Restrictions

For current information regarding travel to the U.S., please visit the CDC's COVID-19 international travel page and the U.S. State Department's COVID-19 travel information page. Read these pages carefully, since rules can differ substantially for non-immigrant, non-citizen travelers, as compared to other groups. As of September, 2022, all international travelers must provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccinations with very few exceptions.

Other Travel Restrictions

Consult the U.S. State Department's Visa Newsroom page for the latest information on any other issues affecting international travelers to the U.S.

Visa Waiver Program

Most citizens or nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are permitted to travel to the United States for tourism or business stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Even if a visa is not required, each traveler must be enrolled in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a plane to the United States. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States.

Obtaining a Visa

If your country is not a member of the Visa Waiver Program, or you plan to stay in the United States longer than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a  Visitor Visa. There is a significant wait time associated with obtaining a visa (some in excess of 6 months), so make sure to begin the process as soon as possible and well in advance of your trip.