The USA is filled with many popular tourist destinations like New York and has proved itself a fantastic country to visit. New York, particularly has risen to become one of the top US tourist destinations loved by many due to its fast-paced life, art scene, and high-rise buildings.

Many things may go wrong when visiting this fabulous city if you are unprepared, and one of the worst things that can happen is being denied admission since you forgot the most important documents needed for the trip. To avoid a horrible vacation, we’ve put up a checklist of all the documents you’ll need for your visit to this wonderful city.  

Passport

When traveling and moving around a new nation, passports act as personal identity cards.  A passport contains all personal information used to verify your identity or country of origin if the need arises. It is such an important document that you cannot travel to most countries without it. 

A valid passport is one that has at least 6 months of use remaining, according to US immigration requirements. Remember that the US visa is not issued as a separate document; it is stamped onto your passport, and you must leave at least one vacant page in your passport for the visa stamp. 

Visa or ESTA

Before a customs officer allows you entry, you must have a visa for New York or an ESTA. Let us look at both these important documents and see where each applies.

US ESTA

The US has an immigration initiative known as the Visa Waiver Program. This program allows citizens from 40 eligible countries to enter the States without a visa. If you belong to an eligible country, you gain access through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which works just like a visa.

An ESTA application may be completed quickly and conveniently online, taking around 10 minutes. 72 hours after the completion of your application, you will receive an email letting you know whether your ESTA was approved or denied.

When you apply, you will be asked to provide personal information such as your email address, phone number, home address, and emergency contact information. You must also provide a clear image of your passport. You can utilize your ESTA to enter the US several times in two years for a total stay of no more than 90 days.

US visas

If you cannot get an ESTA, for one reason or another, you will need a US visa to enter New York. Depending on your travel reasons you may need:

• A B1 visa if you’re traveling for business meetings and conferences.
• A B2 visa if you are traveling for tourism. 
• A work visa if traveling to New York for work 
• An F1 visa if traveling for school.
• A transit visa if you are just stopping over in New York.

To get a US visa, you must fill out the visa application form, the DS-160 form to be precise. This form is normally available on the US embassy website, and once completed and the $160 application fee is paid, you may schedule an interview. 

In some situations, applicants are needed to provide supplementary documentation to demonstrate their cause for travel and how they expect to fund their stay in New York.  

Other Travel documentation

• Travel Insurance. While this is not mandatory, you should consider getting one to protect you and your property from any unforeseen circumstances. If you get one, always carry the insurance certificate with you, as it has a summary of your details and emergency contact details. Remember to confirm with your insurance provider what is covered under your travel insurance plan.
• Tickets. New York has three main airports- La Guardia (for local flights), JFK, and Newark. Find out where your plane lands to avoid any confusion and plan for transportation. 
• Hotel confirmations. While hotel confirmations are usually online, you should carry a copy just in case you lose your phone or cannot access the online confirmation.
• Metrocard. New Yorkers usually rely on public transportation and use a MetroCard to move around. Obtaining a MetroCard for your trip will allow you to effortlessly use the city’s public transportation. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase a MetroCard before your trip, but you may get one at a local retailer after you arrive.
• New York City pass. A New York City Pass, which permits you to see the most prominent New York sites, is a travel recommendation that is always given to new New York visitors. You won’t have to wait in line for tickets with the pass, and depending on the package you pick, you could even receive a tour guide.
• Your national ID. This is a valid document and can be beneficial when you need a situation arises that needs you to deal with your consulate or embassy. It can also be used when a hotel or government entity needs proof of your identity if you forgot your passport. 

Finally

Remember to make duplicates of all your paperwork, particularly your personal identity, such as your passport, visa, or ESTA. As previously said, anything might happen, and you could lose your passport or visa.