Frequently Asked Questions
Other Issues FAQ
What should I do if I overstayed on a previous visit?
You must apply for a visa.
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What should I do with the I-94/I-94W from my last visit to the United States?
If you returned home with your departure record Form I-94 (white) or Form I-94W (green) in your passport, it means that your departure was not recorded properly. It is your responsibility to correct this record. You must provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) sufficient information so it can record your timely departure from the United States. This will close out your earlier record of arrival to this country.
If you do not validate a timely departure from the United States, or if you cannot reasonably prove otherwise when you next apply for admission to the United States, USCBP may conclude you remained in the United States beyond your authorized stay. If this happens, the next time you apply to enter the United States, your visa may be subject to cancellation or you may be returned immediately to your foreign point of origin.
In particular, visitors who remain beyond their permitted stay in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program cannot reenter the United States in the future without obtaining a visa from a United States Embassy. If this occurs and you arrive at a United States port-of-entry seeking admission under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa, United States immigration officers may order your immediate return to a foreign point of origin.
To validate departure, USCBP will consider a variety of information, including, but not limited to:
- Original boarding passes you used to depart the United States
- Photocopies of entry or departure stamps in your passport indicating entry to another country after you departed the United States (you should copy all passport pages that are not completely blank, and include the biographical page containing your photograph.)
- Photocopies of other supporting evidence, such as:
Dated pay slips or vouchers from your employer to indicate you worked in another country after you departed the United States
Dated bank records showing transactions to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States
School records showing attendance at a school outside the United States to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States
Dated credit card receipts, showing your name, but, the credit card number deleted, for purchases made after you left the United States to indicate you were in another country after leaving the United States.
Your statement will not be acceptable without supporting evidence such as noted above.
You must mail legible copies or original materials where possible. If you send original materials, you should retain a copy. USCBP cannot return original materials after processing. To help USCBP understand the situation and correct your records quickly, please include an explanation letter in English. You must send your letter and enclosed information only to the following address:
ACS Inc.
1084 South Laurel Road
London, Kentucky 40744
USA
Do not mail your departure Form I-94 or supporting information to any United States Consulate or Embassy, to any other USCBP office in the United States, or to any address other than the one above. Only at this location are USCBP able to make the necessary corrections to USCBP records to prevent inconvenience to you in the future.
If you want to confirm that your I-94 was received by ACS, please give them 4 months to process the paperwork. Then you can write the following address to determine whether or not your departure was recorded. If you turned in the I-94 when you left the U.S. as required, please do NOT request confirmation that it is on file. This process is only for people who did not turn in the I-94 when they exited the U.S.
You will need to provide your name, date of birth, passport number, and date of departure, in addition to asking whether or not your departure was recorded.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Air Sea Passenger Operation
Room 5, 4D
1300 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington D.C. 20229
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Will I have a problem if the name on my airline ticket does not exactly match the name in my passport?
If your middle name is not included on your ticket, or if your name is shortened or abbreviated on your ticket, you should not have any problems boarding the plane or entering the U.S. This is a common occurrence.
If you have recently changed your name, for example after marriage, and the name in your passport and the name on your ticket are different, we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed to board the plane or enter the United States. That is a decision for your airline and for the immigration officer at the port of entry in the U.S.
We encourage all passengers to travel with all of their documents matching their current legal name. If this is not possible, we encourage passengers to travel with clear documentation about any changes, such as a marriage certificate or change of name certification. The Embassy is unable to guarantee that you will be admitted.
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I have a visa; do I also need a return ticket?
If you hold a visa of any classification, including a B-1/B-2 visa, you are not required to hold a return ticket; you may enter the United States on a one-way ticket. All travelers should carry with them for presentation to U.S. officials, if required, evidence of funds sufficient for their visit and, with the exception of H and L visa holders, evidence that they have a residence abroad to which they intend returning at the end of their stay. Examples of such evidence include: traveler's checks; return tickets; copy of latest bank statement; letter from parents saying they will support you; evidence of current employment; evidence of enrollment at an academic institution.
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Do I need any vaccinations?
Vaccinations are no longer required for temporary travel to the United States. However, if you are intending to study or work, you should contact the school or prospective employer as they may have specific requirements.
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What do I do about health insurance?
Visitors and temporary residents are required to pay their own medical costs. As a result it is advisable to take out health insurance. Temporary visitors to the United States can obtain accident and sickness insurance before departing Iceland. Most local insurance brokers as well as many travel agents can arrange such coverage with insurance firms in Iceland. Those planning on remaining in the United States for any length of time or permanently may obtain health insurance after arrival there. Sometimes it is available through an employer, as many companies arrange group insurance for their employees.
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I have a holiday home in the United States; how long can I remain there?
If you travel to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you may remain for up to 90 days. This period cannot be extended. If you travel to the United States on a visitor (B-2) visa, the period of time you will be allowed will be determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry. Initially they can grant a stay of six months which can be extended for a further six months at their discretion. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services(BCIS) has sole jurisdiction over such matters.
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Can I take my medicine to the United States?
If you take medicines containing habit-forming drugs or narcotics (e.g. cough medicine, diuretics, heart drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, depressants, stimulants, etc.) you should: have all drugs, medicine and similar products properly identified; carry only the quantity that might normally be used by an individual having a health problem requiring such drugs or medicine; have either a prescription or written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is being used under a doctors direction and is necessary for your physical well-being while traveling.
What items am I not allowed to carry on board an airplane in the United States?
Please click here for details.
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Can I take my pet to the United States?
Click here to read more
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Where is the Embassy located?
The Embassy is located on Laufásvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik - near the pond.
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What are the working hours of the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit?
The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit is open to the public by appointment only. To schedule a visa appointment please press here.
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What kind of food products can I bring (send) to the U.S.?
For information click here