United States of America

Commencing July 1st 2009, nationals or citizens of VWP (Visa Waiver Programme) countries will not be permitted to enter the United States under the VWP using emergency and temporary passports issued after 26 October 2006, unless those passports have an integrated computer chip holding the same information printed on the passport bio-page (“e-passport”)

Irish Emergency Passports do not have an integrated computer chip and therefore can only be used for entry to the United States if the traveller has been issued with a Visa.

For further information and information on on Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA), please click here

INFLUENZA A/H1N1 - HUMAN SWINE 'FLU

Full details, current advice and comprehensive information is available from the US Department of Health and Human Services' dedicated Influenza website at  www.flu.gov 

Irish citizens, visiting and residing in the United States, are advised to follow the advice of the US Centre for Disease Control available at http://www.cdc.gov/

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, is obtained before travelling to the United States of America (USA), as the cost of medical care in the USA can be very high.  Travellers should note that the Irish government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visa free travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Since 26 October 2004, all Irish passport holders visiting the United States require an individual machine readable passport to avail of the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme. Otherwise they must obtain a visa, in advance, from their nearest U.S. Diplomatic or Consular Mission.

A machine readable passport is a passport in which the holder's detailsUnder the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme, passport holders from 27 countries, including Ireland, may enter the U.S. without a visa for tourism or business purposes for a maximum period of 90 days.

Since 26 October 2004, all Irish passport holders visiting the United States require an individual machine readable passport to avail of the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme. Otherwise they must obtain a visa, in advance, from their nearest U.S. Diplomatic or Consular Mission.

A machine readable passport is a passport in which the holder's details have been printed on the datapage which also contains the holder's photograph. A passport where the holder's details have been handwritten is not a machine readable passport.

Children, including infants, who are endorsed on a parent's passport must have an individual machine readable passport or else obtain a visa in the parent's passport.

Passport Validity

In most cases, to enter the US, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter. However, Ireland has an agreement with the US that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration. An Irish passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's stay in the United States.

However, if you are traveling visa-free on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted only until the date on which the passport expires. If the passport is not valid for the duration of your stay, you will be required to apply for a new passport from your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate while in the U.S.

Further details on entry requirements are available on the U.S. Embassy website.  

Those travelling on J1 visas may wish to check the Travel Advice for J1 Students

SAFETY & SECURITY

The US Government remains concerned about continued threats. Since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, the US government has issued a number of warnings of potential further terrorist attacks in the US. The US domestic threat level stands at "elevated" (yellow). The US Government is maintaining heightened security, especially at airports. You should continue to expect stringent security checks at airports, transport stations and other public buildings.

CLIMATE  

The hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and can affect the whole of the southern USA. Please check the National Hurricane Centre website for more details.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website also contains information about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions and what to do if you are told to evacuate. It also provides a useful list of disaster supplies that will help if you live in an area affected by storms and hurricanes.

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONS IN THE USA

The Irish Embassy in Washington DC and the Irish Consulates in New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco offer consular assistance to Irish citizens. Contact details for all Irish Missions in USA are available here. (Opens in new window)