Traveling to the USA: welcome or risk? The new entry conditions!

Traveling to the USA: welcome or risk? The new entry conditions!

The travel plans for many Germans to the USA are under a new star. Many of them no longer feel welcome in the USA since Trump's second term in office. Despite these concerns, there are also positive reasons for visiting. The author Frauke Wolter emphasizes that although the USA has changed, friends and family there are still an important incentive to travel. The discussion about travel conditions shows increasing skepticism towards the stricter entry regulations into the USA that are being implemented by US authorities.

With the focus on entry regulations, it is clear that the US authorities are checking increasingly more strictly. Those with criminal records or false statements face serious consequences, including arrest, deportation, or deportation. The German Foreign Office and the British FCDO therefore strongly advise checking all necessary documents before traveling to the USA in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Required documents and new regulations

A visa is not required for tourist or business trips or stopovers in the USA, but an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) is required. This should be applied for at least 72 hours before entry via the official ESTA website. The Austrian Federal Ministry even recommends submitting this application at least two months before the planned start of the trip. However, travelers who are not traveling on a tourist or business trip, such as journalists or au pairs, must apply for a visa.

In addition, there are new regulations that will come into force from January 20, 2025. For ESTAs or visa applications, the gender must be stated as “female” or “male”, although persons requiring a gender entry of “x” must indicate this according to their birth certificate. In addition, foreign nationals over the age of 14 who are staying in the United States for more than 30 days must register and be fingerprinted.

The US government color codes

Another point is the planned introduction of color codes for countries to classify entry conditions. Countries that are 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 highly restricted entry requirements, with only wealthy business travelers potentially being allowed to enter. 22 more countries are to be added to a yellow list and will have 60 days to address their concerns to the US government or face red or orange classification.

The changes in entry regulations and the current political situation cast a shadow over the travel plans of many Germans to the USA. Despite the difficulties, however, connecting with friends and family in the United States remains a strong motivation for many travelers. Concerns about the human rights situation in other countries, as mentioned by Frauke Wolter, mean that countries such as Turkey and Egypt in particular continue to be viewed critically as travel destinations.

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

For more information you can read the reports from Baden newspaper and Small newspaper consult.