Visit the USA

United States of America

Everything you need is right here, and so are we if you need us!

Overview

Explore the USA...

America, the land of 50 states, is a vibrant mix of cultures, known for its music, innovation, and iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty!

Fun Fact: Harvard University was founded in 1636 and is therefore the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

American Flag

14-16hrs

Average Flight Time

Washington, D.C.

Capital City of the United States

English

Official Language

United States Dollar

The currency used in America is the is the U.S. dollar (USD), which has been the official currency since its adoption in 1792. It is the world's primary reserve currency.

Americas

The Americas are a vast landmass comprising two major continents: North America and South America, along with numerous smaller islands and regions. North America is characterised by diverse geographical features ranging from Arctic tundra in the north to tropical climates in the south, whilst also serving as a global economic and political hub. South America is known for its rich biodiversity, including the Amazon Rainforest, and features varied landscapes such as the Andes Mountains, vast plains, and expansive river systems, offering unique cultural and natural heritage.

GST -9/-8

Time-Zone

Winter: GST -9

Summer: GST -8

Climate

The climate in the United States varies widely due to its vast size and geographical diversity, ranging from arctic conditions in Alaska to tropical climates in Hawaii and southern Florida. The mainland experiences a broad spectrum of weather, including temperate conditions in the northeast, arid deserts in the southwest, humid subtropical areas in the southeast, and continental climates with harsh winters in the Midwest and Great Plains.

Country Code: +1

Emergency Contact Numbers

911 911 911

Visa Guidelines

To be successful your content needs to be useful to your readers.

Start with the customer – find out what they want and give it to them.

Visa applications? Not exactly riveting, but often essential and always unavoidable.

We’ve done the research and pulled everything together to save you time, effort, and energy.

In the tabs, you can check if your child or student needs a visa for their trip. If they do, you’ll find clear guidance, embassy links, required documents, and step-by-step instructions.

And when it comes to submitting the application, parents really are best placed. After all, no one knows the travelling student better.

Parents should ensure that their child's documents meet the official travel requirements for the United States of America.

If your child requires a visa to travel to the U.S., you must apply for it using the same passport that holds their UAE residency visa.

Review the sample documents and the relevant official checklists to ensure that all specific criteria are met.

Passport Validity (Minimum):

6 months after expected return to UAE

UAE Residency Validity (Minimum):

3 months after expected return to UAE

Parent/Guardian NOC:

Required

School/College NOC:

Required

To confirm the entry requirements for your child to enter the United States, please follow the below links.

If your child is a citizen of a country listed in the Visa Waiver Program, then they will be required to apply for an ESTA.

Click here to learn which countries form part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Click here to learn if your child requires an ESTA.

Click here to learn if your child requires a tourist visa.

When using the visa wizard, if it states “Most citizens of XXXX can travel to the U.S. for Tourism or a Visit for XX days or less without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program” then they will require an ESTA!

When using the visa wizard, if it states “Examples of travel on this visa – B” then they will require a B-2 tourist visa!

Note: If travelling on a school trip/tour, your child will be travelling for tourism/visit purposes, so please select this option, not study/exchange as this directly applies to university students.

If your child has previously been rejected when applying for a visa to the U.S., it is necessary to apply for a tourist visa B-2 as opposed to an ESTA.

We recommend that all minors travelling internationally, without a parent or guardian, carry both a signed parental NOC and a school NOC with them. Samples of each are provided below. This can help to mitigate any potential issues at border control and streamline the immigration process.

Sample Parent/Guardian NOC

Sample School NOC

Classification

Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)

Entry

Multiple

Validity

2 years or until passport expires

Length of Stay

90 days

How do I apply for an ESTA for my child?

Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website to complete the mandatory ESTA application form.

When should I apply for my child's ESTA?

An ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, or when your child’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

We therefore recommend submitting the application to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as soon as the school trip has been confirmed by both the school and trip provider and deposit payments have been made.

Which documents are required for my child's ESTA?

Parent/Guardian to provide:

Photocopy of child’s passport (this must be the passport they will travel on)
Child’s home address and phone number
Emergency contact information for your child

Parent/Guardian to request from school:

School no objection certificate – The NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details of the accompanying teacher(s).

Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:

U.S. point of contact name, address and phone
Invitation letter
Flight confirmation
Proof of accommodation

How long does the ESTA process take?

On average, parents/guardians will receive the ESTA via email within 3 calendar days of submission.

Should my child take a hard copy of the ESTA when travelling?

Yes, since your child is a minor travelling without you, we recommend they carry both a copy of their ESTA, as well as a parent/guardian NOC and a school NOC.

Application Form

United States of America

Classification

Tourist: B-2

Entry

Single/Multiple

Validity

6-60 months (Nationality dependent)

Length of Stay

Nationality dependent

How do I apply for a tourist visa for my child?

The U.S. Embassy outsource part of their consular services to AIS.

All steps have been outlined below for your reference:

1. Head over to the CEAC website to complete the mandatory DS-16O visa application form

2. Create a user account here

3. Enter your child’s information to complete the registration. Remember to add the DS-160 confirmation number to link the application

4. Pay the visa fee

5. Schedule the mandatory interview/visa appointment at your preferred location

6. Attend the appointment in-person

7. On average, the visa process takes 15 working days

8. Collect/receive passport with attached visa

9. All set – we hope your child has a great trip!

When should I apply for my child's tourist visa?

Due to the high demand for visa appointments, we would recommend that you schedule your child’s visa appointment as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

If you are fortunate to receive a prompt appointment, please ensure you have enough time to request the supporting documents from both the school and trip provider.

Which documents are required to apply for my child's tourist visa?

Parent/Guardian to provide:

U.S. visa application checklist
U.S. visa application form (DS-160)
DS-160 confirmation page
Appointment confirmation
1 x studio-quality passport photograph (<6 months old)
Child's original passport (this must be the passport they will travel on)
Photocopy of child’s passport (this must be the passport they will travel on)
Photocopy of child’s UAE residency visa
Photocopy of child’s Emirates ID
Photocopy of all child’s previous visas
Photocopy of child’s birth certificate (English)
Parental no objection certificate (NOC)
Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) passport
Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) UAE residency visa
Salary certificate (From the child’s UAE sponsors employer)
Trade licence (If child’s UAE sponsor is self-employed)
Bank statements (Last 3 months, original, stamped by the bank, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor). Foreign accounts will not be considered.
Pay slips (Last 3 months, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor)
Divorce certificate (If applicable)

Please ensure you take all original documents when attending an appointment in-person.

Parent/Guardian to request from school:

School no objection certificate – The NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details and ID copy of the accompanying teacher(s).

Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:

Invitation letter
Flight confirmation
Proof of accommodation
Full day-to-day itinerary
Travel insurance

Do I need to accompany my child to the interview/visa appointment?

Unless extenuating circumstances, it is mandatory for both parent/guardian(s) to attend the interview/visa appointment with the travelling student. This requirement is of utmost importance.

Please note, children aged under 14 may be eligible to waive the interview although this is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

What are the approximate wait times for an interview/visa appointment?

Click here to learn of the wait times in various destinations.

Please ensure you’re checking the “Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2)” column.

Abu Dhabi = 433 calendar days, Dubai = 284 calendar days (Last updated 18/02/2025)

How long does the tourist visa process take?

On average, visa applications take 15 working days.

Will the Embassy/Consulate keep my child's passport?

Yes, the U.S. Embassy/Consulate will keep your child’s passport whilst their application is being processed.

Application Form

United States of America

Visa applications are part of the adventure, right?

Contact Details

Embassy of the United States of America, Abu Dhabi

+971 2 414 2200
[email protected]
No. 38, W59-02, Street 4, Embassies District (29th Road), Abu Dhabi, UAE

AIS: UAE - USA

+971 2 447 6084 / +971 4 602 2711
[email protected]

Consulate General of the United States of America, Dubai

+971 4 309 4000
[email protected]
8 Al Seef Street, Umm Hurair 1, Dubai, UAE

a mountain with trees and mountains in the background

a palm tree in the middle of a city street

This page was last reviewed on 19 February 2025. We update our content regularly to ensure accuracy.

United States of America

Everything you need is right here, and so are we if you need us!

Explore the USA...

American Flag

14-16hrs

Washington, D.C.

English

United States Dollar

Americas

GST -9/-8

Climate

Country Code: +1

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Visa applications are part of the adventure, right?

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Social Media

Social Media

Social Media

United States of America

Everything you need is right here, and so are we if you need us!

Explore the USA...​

American Flag

14-16hrs

Washington, D.C.

English

United States Dollar

Americas

GST -9/-8

Climate

Country Code: +1

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Visa applications are part of the adventure, right?

B​ahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Social Media

Social Media

Social Media

Explore the USA...

Bahrain