New York City Visas

Citizens of most countries need a visa in addition to a valid passport for entrance into the United States; see www.unitedstatesvisas.gov for more information. To obtain a visa, contact a US embassy or consulate. Recent security measures have made the visa application process more rigorous. Apply well in advance of your travel date to guarantee your request will be processed.

Citizens of Canada do not need a visa for admission to the US. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries can waive the US visas through the Visa Waiver Program. Visitors qualify if they are traveling only for business or pleasure, are staying for fewer than 90 days, have proof of intent to leave (e.g., a return plane ticket), possess an I-94 form, and possess a machine-readable passport from a nation of which they are a citizen. See www.travel.state.gov/visa for more information.

If you lose your I-94 form, you can replace it by filling out form I-102, although it's very unlikely that the form will be replaced within the time of your stay. The form is available at the nearest Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services office, through the forms request line, or online (☎800-870-3676; www.bcis.gov). Visa extensions are sometimes granted with a completed I-539 form; call the forms request line or get it online at www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf.