Traveling to the USA: Welcome or Risk? The new entry conditions!

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Erfahren Sie, wie sich die Reisebedingungen in die USA unter Trumps Zweiter Amtszeit verändern und welche Anforderungen gelten.
Find out how the travel conditions in the United States change under Trump's second term and what requirements apply. (Symbolbild/ER)

The travel plans for many Germans to the USA are under a new star. Many of them have not felt welcome since Trump's second term in the United States. Despite these concerns, there are also positive reasons for a visit. The author Frauke Wolter emphasizes that although the United States has changed, friends and family are still an important incentive for a trip there. In the discussion about the travel conditions, increasing skepticism is shown by the tightened sections in the USA that are implemented by US authorities.

With the focus on the entry regulations, it becomes clear that the US authorities are increasingly examining more strictly. People with criminal records or incorrect information must expect serious consequences, including arrest, deportation or rejection. The German Foreign Office and the British FCDO therefore strongly advise you to check all the necessary documents before a trip to the USA to avoid unpleasant surprises.

required documents and new regulations

For tourist or business trips and intermediate landings in the USA, no visa is required, but an electronic travel permit (ESTA) is required. This should be requested at least 72 hours before entering the official ESTA website. The Austrian Federal Ministry even recommends making this application at least two months before the planned travel start. However, travelers who are not traveling on a tourist or business trip, such as journalists or au pairs, have to apply for a visa.

In addition, there are new regulations that come into force from January 20, 2025. In the case of ESTAS or visa applications, the gender must be given as "female" or "male", whereby people who need a gender entry "X" must specify them according to their birth certificate. In addition, foreign nationals have to stay in the United States for more than 30 days, register and hand in fingerprints.

The color codes of the US government

Another point is the planned introduction of color codes for countries to classify the entry conditions. States that stand on red (such as Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea) could be affected by an entry ban. Countries with orange status (e.g. Belarus and Russia) will have significantly restricted entry conditions, although only wealthy business travelers may enter. 22 other countries are to be included in a yellow list and have 60 days to clear up their concerns about the US government, otherwise there is a risk of classification in red or orange.

The changes in the directions and the current political situation thus throw a shadow on the travel plans of many Germans to the USA. Despite the difficulties, the connection to friends and family in the United States remains a strong motive for many travelers. The concerns about the human rights situation in other countries, as mentioned by Frauke Wolter, mean that states such as Turkey or Egypt continue to be viewed critically as travel destinations.

The question remains for many: Should we still travel to the USA? The answer not only depends on the personal connections, but also on the continuously changing framework conditions. The developments are a challenge for both potential holidaymakers and the US government and require a careful consideration of all factors.

For more information you can see the reports from Badische Zeitung and DetailsOrtUSAQuellen