Visa Requirements:  Contact the nearest US Embassy or consulate for specific details.  At the present time, travelers who plan to stay in the USA less than 90 days and have a valid passport  from  the following countries will not need a visa:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.

Passports:  Required of all travelers.

Accessibility:  Washington, D.C. is a key entry point for international travelers.  Dulles Airport is the facility used for these flights into Washington.  Shuttle and taxi transportation are available from Dulles into Washington.

Electricity:  Electric power is standardized in all states across the USA.  It is set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles.  220 Volt power is used in homes only for large appliances like stoves, water heaters and clothes dryers.  It is not normally available for personal appliances.  Standard electric plugs have two flat blades.  The plugs on some newer appliances have a third round grounding pin.  Almost all homes and commercial buildings are equipped with electrical receptacles that can accommodate either type of plug.  If you bring any electrical appliance to the USA, you may need an adaptor to fit the US electrical receptacles.  You may also need a converter to change the voltage from 110 volts to 220 volts.

Insurance and Liability:  Visiting the USA can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can become very unpleasant and challenging when sickness or injury occurs and medical services or medical evacuation is needed.  Medical care is excellent in most parts of the US, but it can be very expensive and even astronomical for cases of critical illness.  Many travelers purchase supplementary international medical insurance or travel insurance to avoid the staggering costs that might result from serious sickness or injury on their trip.

Language:  English is the official language of the USA. 

Currency:  The currency in the USA is the US Dollar.  Travelers Checks are also accepted in most places.  If credit cards are an option, they are more secure and are accepted in most places.

Telephone:  Cellular phones and handheld devices are the best communication medium for most USA visitors.  Many wireless networks in the US are now equipped with GSM technology, allowing international travelers with compatible devices to communicate with US networks.  Your service provider should be able to explain that GSM telephones are classified as dual-band, tri-band, and quad-band.  Tri-band and quad-band are recommended to provide the best service in the USA.
Check with your service provider before you travel.  It may be that the “smart card” (SIM card) in your existing cellular telephone simply needs to be replaced with one that is compatible.
US telephone numbers are typically 10 digits long and consist of a 3-digit area code, and a 7-digit number.  When dialing a number outside the local area code, you must first dial a 1.
To place an international call, dial:  011 + country code + city code + number.

Food:  In the USA in general, and in Washington, D.C. in particular, you will be able to find virtually any cuisine you desire.  Do not hesitate in inquire of the hotel concierge, and when patronizing a restaurant, indicate any special dietary needs you may have.  Most establishments will do anything possible to meet your needs.