To prepare for your stay in the USA correctly, you need to get organized so that you don’t forget anything before you leave. In addition to the usual reservations relating to accommodation, various rentals and plane tickets, don’t forget that a stay in the USA is not the same as organizing a trip to the Schengen area, and that travel formalities are essential.

We’ve put together a little guide full of advice for travelers who want to go to the USA with peace of mind.

Preparing your trip to the USA

To make your American dream a success, follow these steps.

Organize your stay

Where would you like to go? California, New York, Nevada, Texas? The United States of America is vast and offers activities for families, couples, friends and even solo travelers. One thing’s for sure: you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. Once you’ve chosen your final destination, all you have to do is list the things you absolutely must see to make sure you don’t miss anything important, and determine the duration of your stay. You can organize your stay on your own or with the help of a travel agency.

Buy your plane tickets

If you want to travel to the USA, you need a return ticket to prove that you don’t want to live there. The ticket may be required as proof that you have left the country within the authorized time limit.

The air or sea ticket budget is one of the most important budgets, which is why we strongly advise you to use an online travel comparator, such as Skyscanner, to find the best price for your planned travel date.

Book your accommodation

Accommodation is also an important step in planning your trip, to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The further in advance you book, the more likely you are to get low prices. Don’t hesitate to ask a tour operator or consult booking sites.

Documents you need to travel to the USA

Preparing a trip to the U.S. also means ensuring that you are in good standing with the American authorities. Two travel documents are essential for travelers to the USA.

Valid passport as identity document

You must have a valid passport. It must cover the entire duration of your stay in the USA. What’s more, it must be an electronic or biometric passport, which is a prerequisite for entry into the USA. If you don’t have a passport, you should apply for one as soon as possible. A French passport is a biometric passport, and therefore perfectly in line with the conditions required by the American government.

ESTA or visa as a residence permit

It is impossible for foreign nationals to travel to the United States without a travel authorization. You must therefore apply for an electronic travel authorization or a U.S. visa for your next stay.

ESTA authorization is available only to nationals of countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program. They must also prove that they pose no threat to U.S. homeland security. To do this, visa-exempt travelers must correctly answer the questions asked in addition to the ESTA application form. The ESTA application is an online application that simply involves filling in a form. The online form can be filled in on the official US government website, or on a private website if you need assistance. To complete an ESTA application, you need to provide your passport details (passport number, date of issue and expiry date), as well as information about yourself and your trip to the USA. Not all travel to the USA is covered by ESTA. The ESTA only authorizes tourist or business travel by air or sea, for stays of up to 90 days. Transit through the USA is also possible under ESTA. Your ESTA application will take a maximum of 72 hours to process. If you are granted ESTA, please note that it is valid for 2 years, unless you obtain a new passport, and allows multiple entries into the USA. If your ESTA is refused, you may have made an error on the form, or your dual nationality may have been refused.

If you are not eligible for ESTA, or if your trip to the USA does not fall under the VWP, you need a visa. The U.S. government has set up a different type of visa for each type of stay in the United States. It’s up to you to decide which visa you need: tourist visa, work visa, student visa, green card, etc. To apply for a temporary visa, you need to complete an online form (form DS-160) and compile an application file including the visa application form, a passport photo, various supporting documents and proof of payment of the visa fee. Your application must then be presented to a consular officer at the American consulate or embassy.

Other formalities can of course be added: an international driving license if you plan to rent a car, travel insurance covering medical expenses to avoid unpleasant surprises, etc.