Entering the USA
Here are some phrases about the new visa rules for visitors to the USA…
Conversation at US immigration
Immigration inspector: How long will you be staying in the United States?
Tourist: Two weeks.
Immigration inspector: Can I see your ticket for return or onward travel? And what is the purpose of your visit? Business or pleasure?
Tourist: I’m on holiday.
Immigration inspector: Why does Martinique appear on your ticket? Is that part of your vacation too?
Tourist: My aunt lives there.
Immigration inspector: I see. May I have your I-94W form?
Tourist: Sorry, which form?
Immigration inspector: The arrival/departure record. It is issued by your airline carrier.
Tourist: Ah yes, here it is.
Immigration inspector: You haven’t filled in the expiry date of your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date you enter the USA. What's your occupation in your country of residence?
Tourist: I’m a student.
Immigration inspector: Do you intend to study here? If you do, you may be denied entry under the Visa Waiver Program. You'll need to have an F-l student visa.
Tourist: No, I have no plans to study here.
Immigration inspector: Any plans to take up employment?
Tourist: Like I said, it's just a holiday.
Immigration inspector: You may now go through customs.
Tourist: [to boyfriend] l got a bit of a grilling! Once the customs official has finished with us, we're going to need a holiday!
Conversation
Vocabulary and idioms
immigration inspector = inspecteur/inspectrice d'immigration
ticket for retum or onward travel = billet pour le vol de retour ou billet pour la correspondance
What is the purpose of your visit? = Quel est le but de votre visite?
business or pleasure? = pour affaires ou pour vos loisirs ?
vacation (American)/holiday (British) = vacances
I-94W form = formulaire I.94W
arrival/departure record = fiche d'arrivée et de départ
issued by your airline carrier = fourni par votre compagnie aérienne
you haven't filled in = vous n'avez pas complété
expiry date = date d'expiration
your passport must be valid for at least 90 days = votre passeport doit être valide pendant 90 jours
country of residence = pays de résidence
Do you intend to study here? = Avez-vous l'intention d'étudier ici?
you may be denied entry = on peut vous refuser l’entrée
Visa Waiver Program = programme d’exemption de visa
student visa = visa d'étudiant
to take up employment = trouver un travail
go through customs = passer la douane
grilling = interrogatoire serré
customs official = douanier
passport control = contrôle de passeports
Factbox: US visa and entry formalities
Immigration and visas
Citizens from the following countries are part of the Visa Waiver program:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ire/and, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
They do not need a visa to enter the US if:
they are travelling for business or pleasure or are in transit
they are staying in the US for 90 days or less
they hold an onward or return ticket
they have a completed I-94W form
If citizens of these countries wish to stay for more than 90 days, they must apply for the relevant visa. Those wishing to study need a student (F-1) visa. Nannies and au pairs need an exchange visitor (J-1) visa (obtainable from a job agency). Those wishing to reside permanently in the US must apply for a Green Card.
Fingerprinting
From September 2004, visitors to the US from countries in the Visa Waiver program will be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival.
There are temporary measures until countries begin issuing passports containing fingerprints.
Customs
When going through US customs, passengers must declare all dutiable goods.
Passengers may not bring any prohibited or restricted items, or fruits, meats or dairy products into the US.
If passengers are bringing more than $10,000 into the US it needs to be reported to customs.
Useful websites
US Citizenship and Immigration Services: www.uscis.gov
US Customs and Border Protection: www.customs.gov
US Embassy in France: www.amb-usa.fr