Visit the USA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
America, the land of 50 states, is a vibrant mix of cultures, known for its music, innovation, and iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty!
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Continent
Americas
Currency
United States Dollar (USD)
Language
English
Time-Zone
GST -9hrs (Winter)
GST -8hrs (Summer)
Flight Time
14-15hrs
Did you know… Harvard University was founded in 1636 and is therefore the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Let the journey begin.
The Americas are a vast landmass comprising two major continents: North America and South America, along with numerous smaller islands and regions.
North America, which includes countries such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are characterised by diverse geographical features ranging from Arctic tundra in the north to tropical climates in the south, whilst also serving as a global economic and political hub.
South America, home to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to name a few, is known for its rich biodiversity, including the Amazon Rainforest, and features varied landscapes such as the Andes Mountains, vast plains, and expansive river systems, offering unique cultural and natural heritage.
The climate in the United States varies widely due to its vast size and geographical diversity, ranging from arctic conditions in Alaska to tropical climates in Hawaii and southern Florida. The mainland experiences a broad spectrum of weather, including temperate conditions in the northeast, arid deserts in the southwest, humid subtropical areas in the southeast, and continental climates with harsh winters in the Midwest and Great Plains.
The currency used in USA is the US Dollar ($), which has been the official currency since its adoption in 1792.
The dollar is divided into 100 cents and issued by the Federal Reserve. It is the world’s primary reserve currency, with many other currencies pegged to it, and while it was once tied to gold, the USA abandoned the gold standard in 1971.
Parents should ensure that their child’s documents are eligible to travel to the USA and match the criteria below.
If your child needs a visa to travel to the U.S., you must apply for it using the same passport that holds their UAE residency visa.
Please check all sample documents below, and relevant official checklists to ensure specific criteria are met.
Passport Validity (Minimum):
6 months after expected return to UAE
UAE Residency Validity (Minimum):
90 days after expected return to UAE
School/College NOC Required:
Yes
Parent/Guardian NOC Required:
Yes
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)
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Visa Type: Multiple Entry
Visa Fee: USD 21
Validity: 2 years or until the passport expires
If your child is a citizen of a country listed in the Visa Waiver Program then they will be required to apply for an ESTA.
Click here to learn which countries form part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Click here to learn if your child requires an ESTA.
When using the visa wizard, if it states “Most citizens of XXXX can travel to the U.S. for Tourism or a Visit for XX days or less without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program” then they will require an ESTA!
Note: If travelling on a school trip/tour, your child will be travelling for tourism/visit purposes, so please select this option, not study/exchange as this directly applies to university students.
If your child has previously been rejected when applying for a visa to the U.S., it is necessary to apply for a tourist visa B-2 as opposed to an ESTA.
Head over to the US Customs and Border Protection website to complete the mandatory ESTA application form.
An ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or when your child’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
We therefore recommend submitting the application to the US Embassy as soon as the school trip has been confirmed by both the school and trip provider and deposit payments have been made.
Parent/Guardian to provide:
- Child’s passport (This must be the passport they will travel on)
- Child’s home address and phone number
- Emergency contact information for your child
- Access to emails
- A credit/debit card to complete payment
- U.S. point of contact name, address and phone
On average, parents/guardians will receive the ESTA via email within 3 calendar days.
Yes, while an ESTA functions as a digital visa, we recommend that since your child is a minor travelling without you, they should carry both a copy of the ESTA and a parent/guardian NOC (sample below).
Tourist Visa B-2
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Visa Type: Single/Multiple Entry
Visa Fee: USD 185
Validity: 6 to 60 months (Nationality dependent)
Click here to learn if your child requires a tourist visa.
When using the visa wizard, if it states “Most citizens of XXXX can travel to the U.S. for Tourism or a Visit for XX days or less without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program” then they will require an ESTA!
When using the visa wizard, if it states “Examples of travel on this visa – B” then they will require a B-2 tourist visa!
Note: If travelling on a school trip/tour, your child will be travelling for tourism/visit purposes, so please select this option, not study/exchange as this directly applies to university students.
If your child has previously been rejected when applying for a visa to the U.S., it is necessary to apply for a tourist visa B-2 as opposed to an ESTA.
The US Embassy outsource part of their consular services to AIS.
All steps have been outlined below for your reference:
- Head over to the CEAC website to complete the mandatory DS-16O visa application form
- Create a user account here
- Enter your child’s information to complete the registration. Remember to add the DS-160 confirmation number to link the application
- Pay the visa fee of USD 185
- Schedule the mandatory interview/visa appointment at your preferred location
- Attend the appointment in-person
- On average, the visa process takes 15 working days
- Collect/receive passport with attached visa
- All set – we hope your child has a great trip!
Due to the high demand for visa appointments, we would recommend that you schedule your child’s visa appointment as soon as the trip has been confirmed.
If you are fortunate to receive a prompt appointment, please ensure you have enough time to request the supporting documents from both the school and trip provider.
Parent/Guardian to provide:
- US visa application checklist
- US visa application form (DS-160)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation
- 1 x studio-quality passport photograph (<6 months old)
- Photocopy of child’s passport
- Photocopy of child’s UAE residency visa
- Photocopy of child’s Emirates ID
- Photocopy of all child’s previous visas
- Photocopy of child’s birth certificate (English)
- Parental no objection certificate (NOC)
- Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) passport
- Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) UAE residency visa
- Salary certificate (From the child’s UAE sponsors employer)
- Trade licence (If child’s UAE sponsor is self-employed)
- Bank statements (Last 3 months, original, stamped by the bank, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor). Foreign accounts will not be considered.
- Pay slips (Last 3 months, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor)
- Divorce certificate (If applicable)
Parent/Guardian to request from school:
- School no objection certificate – the NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details and ID copy of the accompanying teacher(s).
Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:
- Invitation letter
- Flight confirmation
- Proof of accommodation
- Full day-to-day itinerary
- Travel insurance
Unless extenuating circumstances, it is mandatory for both parent/guardian(s) to attend the interview/visa appointment with the travelling student. This requirement is of utmost importance.
Please note, children aged under 14 may be eligible to waive the interview although this is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Click here to learn of the wait times in various destinations.
Please ensure you’re checking the “Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2)” column.
Updated 05/11 – Abu Dhabi = 332 calendar days, Dubai = 289 calendar days.
On average, visa applications take 15 working days.
Yes, the US Embassy/Consulate will keep your child’s passport whilst their application is being processed.
- US Embassy, UAE Website
- +971 2 414 2200
- +971 4 309 4000
- [email protected]
- No. 38, W59-02, Street 4, Embassies District (29th Road), Abu Dhabi, UAE
- AIS: UAE - US
- +971 2 447 6084
- +971 4 602 2711
- [email protected]