Paperwork for the US
Monday July 19 2010
My husband and I are travelling to America for a three-week break. We have booked return flights to JFK, internal flights from JFK to San Francisco and Las Vegas, then back to New York. I have filled out the ESTA form. Because this is our first time travelling to the US, I'm just a little worried about the internal flights in case I need to fill out more forms.
Ainne Meaney
Tom replies:
Whether you clear US immigration in Ireland or on arrival in the US, the procedure is the same. You will be required to fill out a form, a green I-94W, part of which will be stapled into your passport and should be retained until you exit the country. At that point, you will give it over to the border official.
You will also have to fill out a customs declaration form, which will be examined by the customs officer before you leave the airport.
The time this process takes varies depending on where and at what time you do it, but you should allow at least an hour from
landing for any onward arrangements. It needn't be a stressful experience. Take your time, answer any questions you are asked honestly and have your passport and relevant forms ready.
