Required US Documents for Traveling to the United States

Before traveling to the United States, certain documents are required depending on the case:ESTA, electronic passport, Visa, driver’s license, insurance.

These requirements need a bit of planning and time. Take pen and paper or, if you prefer, note down the following on a digital notepad to travel to the USA.

Traveling to the USA: what to know

ESTA USA

The ESTA for the USA is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States for all countries included in the Visa Waiver, including Italy. The ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that all countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program must obtain before traveling by airplane or ship to the USA. Once the ESTA registration is completed on the website, the traveler is immediately informed about the approval of their travel to the USA. This authorization has been in effect since January 12, 2009 and was legally established in 2007 to add further security parameters to the Department of Homeland Security to determine in advance, before travel, whether an individual can enter the USA. A mandatory requirement to obtain the ESTA is possession of an electronic passport..

ESTA USA in Italian

To apply for the ESTA you must connect to the official website. The ESTA USA in Italian can be requested on the official ESTA website by clicking on NEW APPLICATION. On the same site, it is possible to check the status of the application by clicking on CHECK THE STATUS OF THE EXISTING APPLICATION. It is recommended to submit the ESTA authorization request when you are certain of traveling to the United States. Any expiration of the ESTA authorization during the stay in the United States will not affect departure from the country.

 I-94 W form for those arriving by land or sea

With ESTA, for travelers who are citizens of a country participating in the Visa Waiver program, including Italy, there is no longer a need to fill out the I-94W form before entering the USA, which was usually completed on board the plane or ship (the green card). However, if entering the United States by land or sea, the I-94 form still applies and can be completed at customs. For example, if the trip’s destination is Canada and one wishes to enter the United States, the I-94 form must be completed at customs, while ESTA is not required. In this example, the entry requirements for Canada have been met before crossing the land border into the United States.

How long is the USA ESTA valid?

The USA ESTA is valid for 2 years or until the expiration of the passport associated with it. During this period, it is allowed to enter the United States without submitting additional ESTA approval requests.ESTA. Those entering the United States under an ESTA authorization can stay in the USA for a period not exceeding 90 days (per each trip) and, in any case, with reasonable intervals between visits so as not to cause a CBP officer to suspect the traveler intends to reside in the United States. No specific time frame has been defined regarding the duration of intervals between visits. Those who receive ESTA authorization but whose passport expiration date is less than two years will be authorized only for the validity period of their passport.

ESTA USA cost

The cost for issuing the USA ESTA has two fees:

• Processing fee: charged to applicants for processing the travel authorization application. The fee is 4 dollars.
• Authorization fee: if the travel authorization application under the Visa Waiver Program is approved, an additional amount of 10 dollars  will be charged to the applicant. If the application is denied, the applicant only pays the processing fee.

If everything has gone well, the cost of theThe ESTA for the USA costs 14 dollars. Each payment must be made with a credit card: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, PayPal, and Discover.

Does the ESTA for the USA need to be printed?

It is important to print a copy of the document for any reference. It is not necessary to have the printout on hand upon arrival in the United States, as customs agents have the information in electronic format.

The ESTA for the USA is not a Visa

A travel authorization (ESTA) is not a Visa. Those who hold a valid Visa may travel to the United States for the entire validity of the document and for the purpose for which it was issued. They do not need to apply for any travel authorization.

ESTA: documents for children and minors

Minors and infants must also apply for the ESTA, whether they are accompanied or not during the trip to the USA, regardless of age. In this case the parent or travel agent can proceed with the ESTA application for the minorESTA for the minor.

ESTA even when transiting through the United States

The ESTA must be requested even for transit in the USA, although the final destination is not the United States: in this case, in the ESTA application a specific note “In Transit” and the final travel destination should be entered in the space provided for the temporary address during the stay in the USA. Travelers who have not applied for an ESTA and intend to travel to the USA may face complications such as denied boarding on the plane or ship, delayed procedures, or denied entry at any point of entry in the USA.

ESTA waiting times

Although it is recommended that all travelers apply for the ESTA at least 72 hours before the trip, the ESTA can be requested at any time before traveling to the USA and is valid for at least two years or until the passport expires. The response to the ESTA registration is immediate and is done directly online, on the dedicated website. The site is managed by the United States Government. Following the ESTA application, only three possible responses can be obtained online within seconds (max 23 minutes):

1. Authorization Approved;
2. Authorization pending: the traveler will contact the website within the next 72 hours for any updates;
3. Travel not approved: the traveler must consult the site www.travel.state.gov to inquire about the visa requirements to travel to the USA.

The average wait time for ESTA is 23 minutes.

When to apply for a new ESTA for the United States?

It is necessary to request a new ESTA authorization in case:

• You receive a new passport;
• there is a change in your first and/or last name;
• You change your gender (currently, ESTA has not established a field for gender X on the application form. Therefore, we suggest that those affected select the option they believe is most appropriate for their case. The ESTA authorization will not be denied solely based on the gender selected on the form);
• you change your country of citizenship;
• you are subject to changes related to specific circumstances, such as convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude or if you contract an infectious disease. Such changes may require a regular US visa. In this case, a new application must be submitted reflecting the changes, otherwise entry to the United States may be denied upon arrival. In other cases.

Currently, according to new regulations, those already in possession of an ESTA do not need to pay the fee when updating the ESTA for a new trip to the USA. For example: if you need to correct a wrong email address or update the flight number and accommodation address in the already requested ESTA, no fees will be charged for these updates. However, if you are applying for ESTA for the first time and make a mistake submitting data such as passport number, issue date, or validity, you can certainly correct the error by submitting a new ESTA registration, but any new registration will require payment, canceling the previous incorrect one.

Tips for ESTA USA

The United States of America encourage all travelers to apply for ESTA in advance, facilitating every acceptance procedure on time before departure for the trip to the USA and, in case of denied travel authorization, allowing enough time to apply for a visa which can be obtained only by scheduling an appointment at the nearest available consular section.

If the ESTA is not electronically authorized at the time of application, neither the US Embassy nor any US consular office can provide details on the reasons for denial.

ESTA Restrictions for those who have visited other countries

Those who have traveled to Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Iran, and Iraq after March 1, 2011 must apply for a US Visa because they cannot register with ESTA. If the travel was for official reasons, it is possible to register with ESTA by answering questions related to travel after March 1 to any of the seven countries listed above: in case of ESTA registration denial, you must apply for a US visa. For cases not listed, contact the American Embassy directly to verify the documentation required for your trip.

Passport for USA

To travel to the United States, in addition to ESTA, an electronic passport is required, mandatory since April 1, 2016.

USA Electronic Passport

A mandatory requirement to obtain the Esta is possession of the electronic passport or rather the passport with microchip inserted on the front cover and they have a 9-digit number, consisting of 2 letters and 7 numbers. From May 25, 2010, the electronic passport also contains fingerprints in the microchip but for traveling with the Visa Waiver Program for the USA, an electronic passport without fingerprints, as long as it is not expired and is valid until return, is also acceptable. Minors to benefit from the Visa Waiver Program must have an individual passport. Failure to leave the USA within 90 days will compromise the possibility of using the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).

Passport Issuance

The passport is issued to Italian citizens and for adults has a validity of ten years. Upon expiration of the validity, indicated inside the document, it is not renewed but a new passport must be requested. In accordance with current European regulations, since May 20, 2010, an electronic passport consisting of a 48-page unified model booklet is issued to citizens by all the Police Headquarters in Italy and abroad by diplomatic and consular representations. This paper booklet is equipped with a microchip on the cover, hence electronic, which contains information relating to personal data, the photo, and fingerprints of the holder. Furthermore, a digitized signature is present on page 2 of the booklet, except for the following categories:

• Children under 12 years old;
• Illiterate persons (whose condition is documented with a notarized statement);
• Those who have a certified and documented physical inability preventing the signing;

In these cases, instead of the signature, the wording “exempt” will be written also in English and French. For minors, in addition to the changes already made, it is now required that all have an individual passport. Therefore, it is no longer possible to request the child to be registered on the parent’s passport.

Passport issuance for minors

Minors can travel in Europe and abroad only with an individual travel document. Registration of the minor on the parent’s passport has not been valid since 06/27/2012. To request a passport for the minor child, both parents’ consent is required (married, cohabiting, separated, divorced, or natural parents), and the minor must be an Italian citizen. They must sign the consent before the Public Official (who authenticates the signature) at the office where the documentation is submitted. If consent is absent, authorization from the Guardianship Judge is required. For more detailed information, please refer to the passport page for minors.

How and where to submit the passport application

The official Police website to request the passport online and to book the date and place to submit the application, eliminating long waits at police offices. We advise you to check in advance the need to obtain the passport so as to benefit from available dates to book an appointment.

The application for issuance can be submitted at the following offices in the place of residence, domicile, or stay:

• the Police Headquarters
• the passport office of the Public Security police station
• the Carabinieri station (for fingerprints, if required, the citizen must go to the police headquarters or police station also at different times)

Anyone intending to apply for a passport at their place of domicile and not at their place of residence must keep in mind that to correctly carry out the checks required by law there are some conditions, in particular proof of domicile or residence in a municipality different from that of residence and the reasons justifying why one does not go to the Police Headquarters of residence to apply for the passport. It should especially be considered that processing times will be extended since the issuance will be subject to the clearance that must be requested from the Police Headquarters of residence.

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USA VISA

TheUnited States Embassy in Rome and the U.S. Consulates General in Milan, Florence, and Naples recommend starting the visa application process at least one month before the planned departure in order to ensure timely appointment booking, conduct the interview, determine if the Visa can be approved, and arrange delivery. Therefore, plan your trip and book tickets only after obtaining the visa on the official USA visa site in Italian. Visas are divided into two main categories: those for a temporary stay in the United States (“non-immigrant” visas) and those requested by those who intend to permanently move to the United States (“immigrant” visas).

USA Tourist Visa

To stay in the United States for tourism, a Visa is not required provided the stay does not exceed 90 days. The entry procedure into the USA is through passport + Esta. Anyone intending to stay in the United States for more than 90 days (maximum 6 months) must apply for a Tourist Visa (B2).

USA Work Visa

The USA Work Visa (B1) must be requested if you intend to remain in the United States for up to six months for work or business purposes.

USA Student Visa

I Student visas (F, M) must be requested if you intend to go to the United States for study reasons. In that case, you must apply for a specific USA Visa for students and be accepted by the university or educational institution. You must therefore be registered in the SEVIS (Students and Exchange Visitor Information System).

Visas for media professionals

This is a type of USA Visa (I) for journalists, press officers, or those working in other mass media, such as radio and film. This visa category also includes those who perform essential tasks related to the information of foreign media, for example: reporter, TV crew, editor, and similar roles. Spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) can apply for a visa in the same category to accompany or join the main applicant in the U.S.A., who must be able to demonstrate that they can support themselves and their family in the United States. Please refer to the official website for all other visa cases not covered here.

USA Visa: what you need to know

• Complete the DS-160 form online;
• Register on the website: https://usvisa-info.com ;
• Pay the non-refundable consular fee (MRV) online;
• Book an appointment for the chosen date;
• Attend the interview with the necessary documentation;
  • DS-160 form confirmation page;
  • Valid passport;
  • A passport photo for each visa applicant, including children (see the web page “Photo requirements“);
  • Satisfactory documentation proving the purpose and duration of the trip;
  • Documentation regarding your social, economic, and family situation in Italy. This documentation may include: original residence permit (for foreigners), certificates of residence, family status, marriage, property sale or lease contract, employment contract, recent payslips, tax return, bank statements, etc.
• If approved, the visa is usually issued within two or three working days and the passport is forwarded to DHL. After another three working days, the passport will be available for pickup at the DHL location selected when booking the appointment (generally five working days after the interview). Delivery times may be longer if home delivery is chosen;
• The applicant is informed directly by DHL about delivery times, via an email with instructions for pickup;
• If the visa is not approved, the passport is returned at the end of the interview with the consular officer along with a letter explaining the reasons for visa denial.

In summary: if the Visa is issued, the passport will be available for pickup at the chosen DHL location approximately 5 working days after the interview; with an additional few days for home delivery.

How to request an emergency appointment with the Consulate

Complete the DS-160 form and register at theofficial website (payment with debit/prepaid card is the fastest option). Book the first available appointment (even if it is after the departure date) and select “request expedite appointment” specifying the reason for your emergency request and the departure date. The urgency request will be evaluated by the Consul so you must specify the reason and departure dates.

For those who do not pay the Consular Visa Fee, what to do

If you are applying for a visa exempt from the consular fee (A, G, NATO, C-2, C-3, diplomatic visas; some “J” visas for cultural exchanges sponsored by the United States Government, which show on the DS-2019 Form the program number starting with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7, for example the Fulbright program, etc.) you can access information through the official US Visas website. Applicants “exempt” from the consular fee are requested to send an email directly to the Consulate (Florence, Milan, Naples, or Rome) where they want to apply to book the appointment.

US International Driver’s License

To drive in the United States an Italian driver’s license is sufficient. Therefore, it is not necessary to have the international driver’s license which is not mandatory although recommended. However, for those who want to request the international driver’s license which would certainly clear up any possible misunderstandings, it is sufficient to go to the ACI or the Motor Vehicle Department. In this case, you must expressly request the US international driver’s license “Geneva Convention 1949”, which is valid for 1 year. To drive a motorcycle in the USA an Italian type A license is sufficient. The license is valid both for driving private cars and motorcycles and rental ones. Along with the license, always carry your passport when driving a car or motorcycle.

USA Travel Insurance

In the United States, as in many parts of the world, there is no public health care like in Italy. Therefore, it is strongly recommended before starting the trip to take out US health insurance. There are various offers available, all very convenient if you consider the cost of a possible injury or illness abroad. For other possible problems that might occur during the trip, we strongly recommend travel insurance. There are all-inclusive insurance packages which include both health assistance and travel assistance and more, offered at a lower cost but with fewer benefits. We refer you to our partner’s website for all offers of USA and worldwide Travel insurance.

United States: embassy and consulates in Italy

The embassy is usually located in the capital of the host country. The USA Embassy, located in Rome, is no exception. There are three US consulates in Italy, located in Naples, Florence, and Milan. Below are all the addresses collected from Visit USA Italy.

US Embassy in Italy: address

The section Rome Visas is responsible for residents in Lazio, Abruzzo, Sardinia, Umbria, and Marche.
Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 121 – 00187 Rome
Website: https://it.usembassy.gov/it/embassy-consulates-it/rome-it/
Tel: (+39) 06.46741
Non-Immigrant Visa Section Email:
romevisa@state.gov or romeevisas@state.gov (only for E visa matters)

US Consulate Milan – Visa Office

The US Visas Milan section covers: Valle D’Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, and Emilia Romagna (only the provinces of Piacenza and Parma).
Address: Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10 – 20121 Milan
Website: https://it.usembassy.gov/it/embassy-consulates-it/milano/
Tel: (+39) 02.290351
Non-Immigrant Visa Section Email:usvisamilan@state.gov

USA Consulate Florence – Visa Office

The section USA Visas Florence includes: Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna (all provinces except Piacenza and Parma), and the Republic of San Marino.

Address: Lungarno Vespucci, 38 – 50123 Florence
Website: https://it.usembassy.gov/it/embassy-consulates-it/firenze/
Tel: (+39) 06.46741
Non-Immigrant Visa Section Email: visaflorence@state.gov

USA Consulate Naples – Visa Office

The section USA Visas Naples includes: Campania, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily. The Immigrant Visa section in Naples handles immigrant visa cases for all of Italy.

Address: Piazza della Repubblica – 80122 Naples
Website: https://it.usembassy.gov/it/embassy-consulates-it/napoli/
Tel:(+39) 081.583.8111
Non-Immigrant Visa Section Email: nivnaples@state.gov
Immigrant Visa Section Email: ivnaples@state.gov

Due to the large volume of requests, the Visa Sections do not guarantee an immediate response to email messages.
To expedite the response, it is recommended to specify the subject of your request (e.g., study visa, work visa, tourist visa, etc.).