Traveling to the USA... What do i need?

Norman86

Okay, so im lost and clueless...
What will i need?

I only know i will need a Visa and a passport!

But as for application of the visa, how does one go about it?
Also, any other advice of what one needs and should know??

This isnt immediately though, but its a short term plan for work!

Thanks!

StephenG

get 2 suitcases.. one that fits inside the other..

going there, pack all your clothes and stuff you need in the smaller suitcase, then put that inside the larger one and take the "1" suitcase over.

coming back, fill the larger suitcase with all the stuff me and fellow GFSA members are going to give you lists of what to buy us while you there.

Norman86

:roflmao: hahaha.. That will be a consideration!

StephenG

Norman86 wrote :roflmao: hahaha.. That will be a consideration!

a consideration ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? >☹ >☹

clearly you dont know how these things work....... when you advertise you going overseas, that is the exact same as saying "Guys tell me what you want me to bring back for you and i will"...

anyone who has ever been overseas can confirm this, if you believe me to be joking.

in March the wife and I went to the UK for 3 weeks for our birthdays..we told no one.. not even immediate family.. got calls on my birthday from my brother and father.. asking if they will be seeing me that weekend.. i had to say "errr..no, I am in the UK".

if you only tell people once you are already overseas, then the "bring back for me" rule does not apply.

Tokai-SA

Traveling to the USA... What do i need?

A one way ticket. ?

Squonk

StephenG wrote
Norman86 wrote :roflmao: hahaha.. That will be a consideration!
a consideration ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? >☹ >☹

clearly you dont know how these things work....... when you advertise you going overseas, that is the exact same as saying "Guys tell me what you want me to bring back for you and i will"...

anyone who has ever been overseas can confirm this, if you believe me to be joking.

in March the wife and I went to the UK for 3 weeks for our birthdays..we told no one.. not even immediate family.. got calls on my birthday from my brother and father.. asking if they will be seeing me that weekend.. i had to say "errr..no, I am in the UK".

if you only tell people once you are already overseas, then the "bring back for me" rule does not apply.

This is very true. Last time I went to the UK we had to bring back about 5 Kg's of vitamins and Books etc. Best to keep it secret ?

guitarboy2828

Lots of spending money! Also, check the area you are in, find all the music stores, then narrow down the one's you want to check out! Trust me, there will be too many nice one's to check them all out! Also, make sure you have a set amount of money to spend on gear, those music shops are BIG and CHEAP and AMAZING! ?

Manfred-Klose

You need to go and make a turn at the american embassy, they will give you all the info you need. also they must check that you are not a terrorist.
oh and take a cheap guitar with in a case, get rid of it there and bring back a guitar. otherwise the trip would be pointless.

Norman86

guys guys... this is assuming i can get the visa...

but im talking leading up to that ?
as in the visa application and how to go about that and what i need to know about that! ?

mity88

Tokai SA wrote Traveling to the USA... What do i need?

A one way ticket. ?

+111

6x9base13

Can't find the link now, but if I recall correctly there is a web site where you fill in the relevant details. It will tell you what documentation you need, but generally the list will include either confirmed tickets tickets or an itinerary , invite letters or a letter from your company saying they are sending you on business and covering your costs etc.

If it's a private trip, bank statements to show you have funds to cover your travel.

Once you've completed the online form you'll be given a choice of dates to go for an interview at the visa office where they'll take finger prints and ask questions about your trip.

Somewhere along the line, money needs to change hands, I can't recall if the Americans still require a cash deposit at a bank or if you can pay by card online, but again, those details will be on the web site.

Hope that helps !

FenderBender

Be very careful and pay attention to the mains voltage input options of the gear you are considering bringing back here.

Some gear will only accept 120V. Some allow manual selection of the input voltage by means of a switch and some that use switch mode power supplies will sense the mains voltage and accept anything from 90 - 265V.

Find out as much as you can regarding this. If a wall wart power supply is used to power gear, read the writing on the thing and you will know whether it will accept our local 230V mains or simply become an expensive smoke machine ?

Jack-Flash-Jr

Everything you need to know is on the US consulate site. If you are planning on being anywhere other than NY ensure you have an international driver's licence...

Bob-Dubery

The water drains down the plug all wrong. Their taps are funny. Their electricity is weird. They drive on the wrong side of the road, and if you go much further south than New York and ask for tea you'll get something clear and cold.

Don't be fooled by the talk about American beer. They have some excellent brews. Just stay away from mass-market rubbish like Shlitz and Coors Lite.

Do not drive south of the Mason-Dixon line with "Hilary For President" painted on your car.

FenderBender

X-rated Bob wrote Do not drive south of the Mason-Dixon line with "Hilary For President" painted on your car.

:roflmao:

deefstes

Follow this to the letter and you should be grand:
http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/visas.html

They are VERY particular in how they want the applications handed in. If your photograph is slightly too small, or slightly too big, or slightly too dark or whatever, they will send you away. But at least they have everything documented very well on their website and if you can simply follow their instructions the application process is actually quick and easy.

Oh, and you might have better results if you shave your beard and leave the turban at home on the day of your interview ?

After all said though, there's only one thing you need if you're traveling to the US... you need to bring me a Deluxe Strat, quite simple.

MIKA-the-better-one

When it comes to Visa.. you first need to bo on the USA embassy site (online) and apply for a time to go meet them in the embassy... They wont let you in otherwise...
You then go on the date allocated to you, 15minutes early, because they use normal time in the american embassy not African time....
You will then be directed by some very serious USA employed fellows as to what to do next....

Once in America, you should take lots of money and buy things very cheap, and then (very important) use them, if its some pedals stomp them a few times, a guitar, give it some scratches.... Then when you return dont Declare your used items.....

Norman86

Thanks guys!

Its helping so far! Will make a plan next week to start finding out more! Thanks ?

Bob-Dubery

Norman86 wrote Thanks guys!

Its helping so far! Will make a plan next week to start finding out more! Thanks ?

Take a look at the web sites of your favourite bands - you may be able to jiggle the itinerary so you can catch one or more of them in concert.

The last few overseas trips I've made I built a musical component in and saw some performance I'll never forget.

flatfourfan

The US have a great online site that explains it all. They are VERY strict, but fair. I work for an embassy that is erm.......right next to the US and the rules are basically the same. Just make sure that you read things twice.........