Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for the United States depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for the United StatesEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- US Dollar
- Code
- USD
- Symbol
- $
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 120V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
ET (UTC-5/-4) · CT (UTC-6/-5) · MT (UTC-7/-6) · PT (UTC-8/-7)
Alaska: AKST (UTC-9/-8). Hawaii: HST (UTC-10), no DST. Arizona: MST (UTC-7) year-round, no DST (except the Navajo Nation, which does observe DST). Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands: AST (UTC-4), no DST. Guam and Northern Mariana Islands: ChST (UTC+10), no DST. American Samoa: SST (UTC-11), no DST.
Best Time to Visit
Best months vary hugely by region. Summer is peak season nationwide
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 18–22% | Typically on the pre-tax amount; some restaurants add an automatic service charge for larger groups (often 6 or more) |
| Taxis / Rideshare | 15–20% | — |
| Bars | $1–2 per drink | — |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5 per night | Leave on pillow or with a note |
| Coffee shops | 10–15% for table service; $0.50–1 counter tip optional | — |
| Barbers / Hairdressers | 15–20% | — |
Dress Code
- Very casual in most settings
- Smart casual for nicer restaurants
- Business formal for corporate environments
- Many venues have dress codes — check in advance
Social Etiquette
- Make eye contact and smile when greeted
- Firm handshake in professional settings
- Personal space (arm's length) is important
- Small talk is normal and expected — 'how are you?' is a greeting, not an inquiry
- Tipping is embedded in service culture — it constitutes a large part of many workers' income
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Drinking age is 21; ID is routinely checked when buying alcohol and at many venues
- Cannabis laws vary significantly by state — some permit recreational use, others only medical, some neither. It also remains a federal matter: recreational cannabis is federally prohibited even in states that have legalised it. In April 2026 the US Department of Justice placed FDA-approved marijuana drugs and state-licensed medical marijuana products in Schedule III; broader federal rescheduling of recreational cannabis remained in rulemaking as of October 2026
- Jaywalking laws vary by state. California (since January 2023, Freedom to Walk Act / AB 2147) and Virginia (since March 2021) restrict police from stopping pedestrians for jaywalking alone unless there is immediate danger of collision; other states still issue citations
- Federal law (23 U.S.C. § 154) requires every state to prohibit open alcohol containers in the passenger area of motor vehicles on public roads, or lose 3% of certain federal highway funds. Narrow exemptions apply for passengers in vehicles for hire (e.g. a hired limousine) and the living quarters of RVs
- Right turn on red is permitted by default across the US. New York City bans it by default (allowed only at signed Staten Island intersections); Washington, DC banned it by default from 1 January 2025 (D.C. Law 24-214)
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Excuse me (to get past someone) | Excuse me / Pardon me | standard usage |
| You're welcome | You're welcome / No problem / Sure | 'No worries' is creeping in from Australian English |
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