Sailing to the USA. Do I need a special visa?

[AntarcticPilot]

I actually found the worst were mid western, bible belt states like Oklahoma and Arkansas. They are so insular and ignorant they know little of the world outside their state or city.

I once had difficulty at a car rental place in Albuquerque. I presented my (then) tatty paper license, to be met with "Where's this from?" Naturally, I answered "The United Kingdom", after which we had to play twenty questions to get them to understand that I meant "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" - if I'd said "England" they'd have got it, but I don't identify as English - I'm British or Yorkshire! I think that their weirdest guess was "Is that in South Africa?"

 

[Zing]

I entered once by sea after having entered and departed a week earlier by air. That seemingly activated my multi entry ESTA visa and no B1/B2 was required. Similar I think to what happens often in the USVI/BVI.

Once there I travelled on a cruising permit and that was bureaucratic hell. The officers found some technical discrepancies with registration documents and threatened to seize the boat. They were as nasty as nasty could be. Truly horrid. The CBP has a terrible cultural attitude. I have encountered bad people there several times. Eventually it was referred up the totem pole and a sensible senior officer waved it all through.

 

[Bajansailor]

I think that their weirdest guess was "Is that in South Africa?"

When I was a wee lad in skool many moons ago we did Geography as one of our subjects for O Level - I get the impression that traditionally Geography has been omitted from the syllabus in many Amurrican skools, perhaps on the basis that they are the centre (or center even) of the Universe, and it does not matter what is beyond their shores?

@Zing your experiences with CBP sound terrible. I have visited the USA a couple of times by boat, and each time we had very pleasant encounters with the officials. But these encounters were in the 80's and 90's, and I am sure that things are much different now under the current Administration.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

When I was a wee lad in skool many moons ago we did Geography as one of our subjects for O Level - I get the impression that traditionally Geography has been omitted from the syllabus in many Amurrican skools, perhaps on the basis that they are the centre (or center even) of the Universe, and it does not matter what is beyond their shores?

@Zing your experiences with CBP sound terrible. I have visited the USA a couple of times by boat, and each time we had very pleasant encounters with the officials. But these encounters were in the 80's and 90's, and I am sure that things are much different now under the current Administration.

American society is amazingly parochial. Most newspapers are local, and the local news is prominent; national news is on inside pages and international news pretty much nowhere!!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

When I was a wee lad in skool many moons ago we did Geography as one of our subjects for O Level - I get the impression that traditionally Geography has been omitted from the syllabus in many Amurrican skools, perhaps on the basis that they are the centre (or center even) of the Universe, and it does not matter what is beyond their shores?

@Zing your experiences with CBP sound terrible. I have visited the USA a couple of times by boat, and each time we had very pleasant encounters with the officials. But these encounters were in the 80's and 90's, and I am sure that things are much different now under the current Administration.

No, the Middle Kingdom is the centre of the Universe. And that's its official name!

 

[Roberto]

I get the impression that traditionally Geography has been omitted from the syllabus in many Amurrican skools, perhaps on the basis that they are the centre (or center even) of the Universe, and it does not matter what is beyond their shores?

They probably lack school hours: once the American geography teacher has come round to explain where in the US are located their 17 London, 23 Paris, 18 Rome, 11 Venice etc there is no time left to address foreign countries geography

 

[chriss999]

Ed: […]

general comment on education removed as off-topic

 

[Jmacd]

Depends on where you are from, how and why? You wish to visit.
Check the rules and ask when you arrive.
I used to have a B1 B2 lifetime tourist visa. Also C and D good for 5 years long since expired.
I'm Canadian now. I dont require a visa. So far. For less than 30 days. If you don't mind being probed you can stay longer.
Which has reputedly negatively impacted tourism. Particularly the annual snowbird migration.
There are of course. Numerous media reports of various occurrences. Such as, people with valid visa being turned away or subjected to abduction by ICE. Some quite funny. Eg the Hyundai car plant debacle.
Most it turns out were some idiot who thought the rules didn't apply to them. It turns out the US border guards can be really picky about them rules.
Once upon a time, bend the rules a little, be polite pretend you are stupid, you got a bollocking.
These days things appear to have changed.
I visited the US for the first time this year, a few weeks ago. (I don't admit it publicly). Life is life and I have friends and people to visit. I was a little concerned about the scary news stories ect.
I honestly didn't notice any difference. Except the line up was very short and quick. Which I found quite convenient.
Border agent or guard, was polite friendly asked a few typical questions and told us to have a nice day and enjoy our visit. Being quiet they seem to have a bit more time.
To an American, Even in WA, Oregon or California, I am a nice polite "socialist'. Alaska or Idaho. I am tree hugging a commie.
Just don't do any funny walks or mention the president.
I've always found your average American very very welcoming and friendly.
It's a great place to visit. 3 more years. Ohh well.

 

[wonkywinch]

You'll realise how geographically challenged the visa people are when you start ticking the boxes of countries you have visited in the visa application form ..

Afghanistan
Africa
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
etc

Hate to tell them Africa is a continent, not a country! And would you tick Africa as well as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria etc?

 

[Sea Change]

You'll realise how geographically challenged the visa people are when you start ticking the boxes of countries you have visited in the visa application form ..

Afghanistan
Africa
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
etc

Hate to tell them Africa is a continent, not a country! And would you tick Africa as well as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria etc?

Not to mention all the Mexican countries!
(I think that one was courtesy of Fox 'News' rather than the government, in fairness)

 

[Roberto]

You'll realise how geographically challenged the visa people are when you start ticking the boxes of countries you have visited in the visa application form ..

Afghanistan
Africa
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
etc

Hate to tell them Africa is a continent, not a country! And would you tick Africa as well as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria etc?

It's their first step to secretly check if they can trust you: if you tick Angola and not Africa then surely your are trying to hide something, you may definitely be a liar they lock you in jail and throw the key away.
IMHO the best way to meet Americans is when they are abroad, only ever met very pleasant and friendly American fellow sailors (or former colleagues)