Hawaii Visa Requirements: Everything You Need to Know
Are you looking for a guide to Hawaii visa requirements? This guide has everything that you need to know!
The documents that you need to visit Hawaii depend on your country of citizenship. The process can be rather confusing, so this article is meant to answer any questions that you may have about getting a Hawaii visa.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Hawaii from the USA?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do NOT need a visa to visit Hawaii. One of the biggest mistakes visitors to Hawaii make is believing that Hawaii is not part of the U.S. Since Hawaii is part of the U.S., you do not need a visa to visit the islands if you are a U.S. citizen.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Hawaii from Outside of the USA?
If you are from a foreign country, there is a good chance that you need a visa to visit the U.S. as a whole, including Hawaii. To determine whether or not you need a visa depending on your country of citizenship, you can visit the iVisa website. You can simply put in your country of citizenship in the “where am I from?” box and put the United States in the “where am I going?” box.
Is a Hawaii Visa Different from a U.S. Visa?
As I mentioned earlier, Hawaii is part of the U.S., which means that you do NOT need a different visa to come to Hawaii if you already have a valid visa to enter the United States.
What Is the Visa Waiver Program?
There are 38 countries that have an agreement with the U.S., allowing for the visa waiver program. If you are a citizen of any of these 38 countries and you plan on staying in the United States (including Hawaii) for less than 90 days, you do not need a visa, provided that your Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is up-to-date.
Most of the time, your ESTA will remain valid for two years. To learn more or to renew your ESTA, you can visit the ESTA website.
If you plan on staying in the U.S. for more than 90 days, you will need to obtain a valid U.S. visa.
How Can I Get the Visas I Need (Assuming I Need One)?
The visa process for any country can be quite difficult and confusing. Luckily, iVisa is a service that makes this process as easy as possible. If you are eligible for the easy ESTA, iVisa will tell you. If you need to tackle the full visa process, iVisa will help you through that as well.
It is important to note that iVisa is still expanding their range. Occasionally, iVisa will not have the necessary information for you depending on your country of citizenship and/or your destination.
When Should I Apply for My Visa for My Trip to Hawaii?
Visas often take a very long time to get approved – sometimes up to several months! For that reason, it is best if you apply for your Hawaii visa as soon as you are able to do so.
How Much Does a U.S. Visa Cost?
The ESTA (which is not technically a visa but may still allow you to enter Hawaii) costs just $14.
Official visas can vary between $160 and $265, depending who you are, the reason for your travels, and the type of visa you need. Once again, iVisa can help you determine which visa you need and guide you through this process.
Do I Need Anything Else to Pass through the Hawaii Customs Process at the Airport?
First off, U.S. citizens won’t need to pass through customs when traveling to Hawaii. They will, however, need to fill out a customs declaration form (one per family) on the airplane and give it to a flight attendant.
The customs declaration form is a Hawaii-specific form. Since Hawaii has such a delicate ecosystem, it is important to prevent new plants and animals from being introduced. This customs declaration form simply asks if you have any plants, animals, seeds, insects, or bacteria in your possession. If so, you will be required to declare them. If you do not declare them, you could face a hefty fine.
If you are traveling from a foreign country, you will need to pass through customs. In addition to a valid visa or ESTA, you’ll also need a valid passport from your country of citizenship, an immigration form, and a customs declaration form.
A valid passport from your country of citizenship is necessary for all types of international travel. (If you need new passport photos, iVisa can help with that too!) The immigration form is also quite common when traveling to a foreign country, and it typically just asks for basic personal information and flight information. The customs declaration form is the same form mentioned above.
Are There Any Exceptions to this Hawaii Customs Process?
Yes, the document requirements for Canadian citizens are slightly different than the requirements for those from other foreign countries.
If you are a Canadian citizen arriving by air, you will need either a valid passport or NEXUS card. If you are a Canadian citizen arriving by water, you will need a valid passport, NEXUS card, FAST card, enhanced driver’s license, or Secure Certificate of Indian Status.
While the vast majority of Canadian citizens do not require a visa to visit Hawaii, they will still be required to fill out the customs declaration form.
Final Thoughts on Hawaii Visa Requirements
While the visa requirements to visit Hawaii can be quite lengthy depending on your country of origin, iVisa is here to help!
Once you finish the process and fly over, you can experience all of the amazing things to do in Hawaii. You can admire black sand beaches, gape at stunning waterfalls, and devour delicious foods that you can only find in the islands.
Do you have any other questions about Hawaii visas? Let me know in the comments!
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Apart from a valid US visa is any other document required to visit Honolulu. My sister is traveling to visit me from Dubai she is an Indian Citizen and has a US visa.
I was told as per the new rules she requires a letter to visit relatives, is it true?
Hmm that’s a good question. I’m definitely not the authority on this, but perhaps the information at iVisa can help. I believe they have a whole page on Indian citizens visiting the U.S. floating around somewhere.