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Always carry a passport showing you have permission to enter or remain in the US.

The national legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21 across the US.

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports. US law prohibits the importation, exportation, manufacture, sale or transportation of drug paraphernalia. If you are convicted of any of these offenses, you will be subject to fines and imprisonment.

Airports in USA have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. All persons arriving at a port-of-entry to the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

Check state laws to make sure you follow laws on possession and use of controlled substances. The US Department of Justice provides a list of all controlled substances.

The US is a very diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT+ people differ hugely across the country. Check state and local laws for the areas you plan to travel to. Refer to entry requirements which may apply to LGBT+ travellers (see entry requirements).

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Snowstorms can disrupt critical infrastructure, and cause power cuts, or delays and cancellations in major transport hubs. Contact your travel company or airline before you travel.

The Atlantic hurricane season normally runs from June to November. The Pacific hurricane season normally runs from May to November. Hurricanes can affect coastal regions, Hawaii and Guam. The South Pacific tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May and can affect American Samoa.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) seasonal outlook predicts a “below-normal Atlantic hurricane season” and an “above-normal hurricane season in the central Pacific basin”, including the waters around Hawaii in 2026. Travellers to the USA during hurricane season should check the websites of local, State and Federal agencies (such as NOAA and the US National Hurricane Center) for the latest forecasts and conditions. You should also be aware of the possibility of disruption to flights and other transport services.  

You should:

• monitor approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website
• follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders
• visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website for information on preparing for extreme weather and evacuatingCheck with your airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services and follow their advice

While earthquakes can happen anywhere without warning in the US, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington and the entire Mississippi River Valley are at higher risk for earthquakes.

The FEMA website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Tornadoes can happen anytime depending on weather conditions. The FEMA website has advice about what to do before, during and after a tornado.

There is volcanic activity across parts of the US with Alaska, Hawaii, California, Washington and Oregon having the largest number of active volcanoes. You should follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.

The FEMA website has advice about what to do before, during and after a volcanic eruption.

Forest and brush fires (wildfires) are a danger in many dry areas, particularly in canyons, hills and forests. High winds can mean fires spread rapidly.

You should:

• monitor local media and weather reports
• follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders
• be careful in areas recently affected by wildfires, as there may be mudslides during heavy rainfall

For more information visit the National Interagency Fire Center and Fire Research and Management Exchange System websites.

For information about wildfires in California, see the CAL FIRE website.

Flash floods can cause travel disruption and damage to property and infrastructure. Check weather warnings from the US’s National Weather Service (NOAA) before travel and follow the advice of the local authorities.