How to tour the U.S. ? Below are necessary information that you need to know if you are the newcomer to the U.S..

1.      Visitor Visas

The visitor visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment (B-2). International travelers with visitor visas comprise a large portion of temporary visitor travel to the United States every year. For how-to-apply information, documentation requirements and more, please go to the website of Embassy or Consulate in your country.

2.      Foreign Visitors Driving in the U.S.

l        An International Driving Permit (IDP) translates information contained on your driver's license into 10 languages so that officials in foreign countries are able to interpret your license. An IDP supplements a valid government-issued license--it does not serve as a replacement for a license. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you will most likely be asked to produce both your IDP and your official driver's license. The United States does NOT issue International Driving Permits to foreign visitors, so you will need to obtain this document before traveling to the U.S.

l        If you are going to reside in the U.S., you can get a U.S. driver's license once you are in the U.S., but it may take several months to obtain a U.S. driver's license.

l        Foreign visitors who become U.S. residents can only obtain a driver's license from the state in which they reside (not from the federal government). Each state has its own driving rules and regulations. Check with your state's motor vehicles department to find out how to apply.

l        Once you receive your U.S. driver's license from a state motor vehicles department, you will be permitted to drive in all other U.S. states. The laws in each state vary from one to another. It is your responsibility to know and obey the laws of that state while driving.

l        The residency requirement for obtaining a U.S. driver's license varies with each state. Consult the motor vehicles department in your state for more information.

l        If you are a foreign student coming to the U.S. to study, contact the university or college you will attend, as most institutions provide students with additional driving information.

l        The U.S. government has issued warnings about Internet vendors selling worthless international driver's licenses or permits. It is important to educate yourself about the dangers of these costly and illegal operations. See International Driver's License Warning from Federal Trade Commission.

3.      Get the U.S. Time

The official time in the United States, provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO).

Here is the website that may be helpful http://www.time.gov/

4.      Maps of the U.S.

Be prepared to get a U.S. map with you during the trip.

5.    State Tourism Sites

Explore the 50 states and U.S. territories through internet.

6. Telephone- International Long Distance Calling

    Check with your long distance service provider to find out how to dial internationally from the U.S.

l         Find out if there is a different dialing process for calling a mobile phone, and if calling a mobile will cost more than calling a landline phone.

l         Consider the total cost of international calling plans before you sign up.

l         Research cheaper alternatives for calling internationally from the U.S., such as using a prepaid calling card, your mobile phone, or an Internet-based service.

l         Country Codes and Selected Provider Contact Information

-Country Codes

List of Country Codes
www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-t/ob-lists/icc/e164_763.pdf

-Selected Wireline Service Providers

AT&T
International long distance plans and rates: www.att.com/gen/general?pid=11832

Qwest
Home phone service: www.qwest.com/residential/phonelanding/

Verizon
International long distance plans and rates:
www22.verizon.com/?lid=//global//residential

-Selected Prepaid Service Providers

STI Prepaid
International prepaid calling card rates: www.stiprepaid.com

Union Telecard
International prepaid calling card rates: uniontelecard.com/phonecards

-Selected U.S. Mobile Wireless Service Providers

AT&T Mobility
International Wireless Rates:
www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/long-distance/in-the-us.jsp

MetroPCS
International Long distance Rate Finders:
www.metropcs.com/rates/findrate.aspx
www.metropcs.com/products/world/

Sprint Nextel
International Long Distance Rates:
shop.sprint.com/en/services/worldwide/ratesfromus.shtml

T-Mobile
International Long Distance Rates:
www.t-mobile.com/International/LongDistanceOverview.aspx

US Cellular
International Long Distance Rates:
www.uscellular.com/uscellular/common/common.jsp?path=/services/international/countries.html

Verizon Wireless
International Wireless Rates:
b2b.vzw.com/international/inside_us.html

-Selected VoIP and Alternative Service Providers

Google Voice
www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
International Rates: https://www.google.com/voice/rates

Skype
www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home
International Rates: www.skype.com/intl/en-us/prices/payg-rates

Vonage
www.vonage.com/
International rates: www.vonage.com/international_per-minute_rates/?lid=sub_nav_international_rates&refer_id=WEBSR0706010001W1

7. Travel and Recreation in the U.S.

You need to explore air, road, and train travel, historic places, and tourism resources through the internet before your departure from your country.

8.    U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

Here is a website with rich information. https://www.usps.com/

9.    Weather in the U.S.

Here is a webiste that may be helpful to you . http://www.weather.gov/