Know Your Rights Regarding Travel to the United States
Travel is the motion of individuals between different geographic locations. Travel can take place by automobile, foot, bike, car, train, plane, boat or any other mode, with or without personal luggage, and may be one way or multi-level itinerary. It is an act of leaving and entering a destination. Travel brings people together and encourages social interaction, which in turn leads to cultural exchange. Some travel is undertaken for business, whereas some is for pleasure.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), travel-related illnesses account for a billion deaths and one in six deaths worldwide are children below the age of five. In a sense, travel is a form of medicine. The process of travel and its associated risks should be considered as a part of public health and well-being. WHO welcomes “all comers” into the global community in its effort to promote global health and prosperity? Travel, says WHO, has helped to reduce disease risk and exposure, alleviate poverty and improve health and nutrition. With this in mind, WHO offers guidance on how travelers can protect themselves and their family(s) while traveling.
Travel restrictions vary from place to place. There are some places that restrict travel to specific times of the year such as the winter sports season in northern regions, whereas others have more liberal travel policies. Most international airports now have a website where one can travel by airplane if only one place is traveled to, whereas before only land transportation was available for long distance travel.
When traveling abroad, you must adhere to all immigration, health, and security laws. The level of enforcement varies from country to country, as does the attitude of the authorities toward foreign travelers. Some countries have no entry requirements at all, whereas in other countries you will need to obtain a visa and remain for a specific period of time before you are eligible to travel back to your home country. For example, in Canada you must have a valid passport issued by a foreign government before you are permitted to fly to Canada. If you do not have a passport, then you must apply for one and remain in possession of it at all times.
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes updated travel facts sheets each week. These include general information about the illness, hazardous diseases, and travel risks. They also contain recommended precautions for carrying out travel to dangerous regions and diseases and give you information about traveling with children, elderly, and immunization information. The WHO website gives travel advisories and its contacts for emergencies, which are the best resources for getting updates on the situation of travel related issues.
Travelers can find out what the restrictions are concerning specific countries by contacting their local travel office. This office has a number of resources for travelers and contains valuable information about travel advisories. The office publishes a travel brochure containing important information, which gives an overview of travel restrictions for particular countries. You can also contact the Department of State or your country’s embassy for up-to-date information about travel restrictions and laws regarding travel to the United States. In addition, there are many web sites dedicated to informing travelers of the latest conditions regarding travel to the United States.
