Do i need a visa for guam. Do I need a visa to travel to Guam: registration, duration of stay, documents

Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Guam for up to 45 days. You need to have a valid passport and a completed migration card with you. For a longer trip, you need to apply to the US Embassy for a visa, since the islands are de facto American possessions. It should also be remembered that it is not permitted to enter the United States through Guam without a visa.

Do Russians need a visa to Guam

Russians can visit Guam without a visa for up to 45 days, for longer visits it is necessary to obtain an American visa.

Guam Entry Rules

• Funds in the amount over $ 10 thousand are subject to declaration.
• It is allowed to import 1 block of cigarettes to the island, with a larger quantity they must be certified by the United States.
• Despite the territorial affiliation to the United States, entry into the states without a visa through Guam is prohibited.

Required documents for crossing the border

• Forms I-94 and I-734 completed and signed by tourists (issued by the US Consulate or on board airlines flying to the island).
• Return flights with a fixed date of departure.
• Hotel reservation (hotel, apartment, hostel).
• Proof of financial solvency: cash, bank cards, checks.
• Medical insurance.

Crossing the border with children

• Foreign passport of a citizen of Russia.
• The original or a copy of the birth certificate with an insert or stamp of Russian citizenship (for children under 14 years old), translated into English.
• Notarized consent for the child to leave the Russian Federation indicating the country and length of stay (Article 20, Chapter III of Federal Law No. 114-FZ of 15.08.96) from parents or guardians, translated into English (for children under 18 years old when independent trip or travel accompanied by third parties).

Visa-free regime for citizens of other countries

A special regime that does not require a visa or permission from the American travel authorization system ESTA, other than Russia, is valid for Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, UK and Taiwan.

Citizens of the CIS countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) must obtain an American visa to visit the island of Guam.

Guam is an island in the western part of the Pacific Ocean that has the status of an unincorporated organized territory of the United States: it is not part of the United States, but is their possession. This is the most south island in the archipelago of the Mariana Islands. To the north of Guam is the Northern Mariana Islands, which is also a US possession. Guam has the official status of an "organized unaffiliated territory of the United States." It is governed by the Organic Law of the Island of Guam, passed by the US Congress in 1950. This law granted the island the right to local government and declared its residents to be US citizens.

An excursion into history
The island of Guam was inhabited by one of the Austronesian peoples, the Chamorro, about 3.5 thousand years ago; in 1565 it was declared a colony of Spain. Since 1600, the island has been used by Spanish galleons traveling from Mexico to the Philippines for crew rest and restocking. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, the island was conquered by the United States, which received it through the Paris Peace Agreement signed in the same year. After that, Guam served as a transshipment base for American ships sailing from the Philippines or to the Philippines. During World War II (December 8, 1941, three hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor), Guam was bombed by Japanese forces and surrendered to Japanese forces on December 10. The Japanese occupation of Guam lasted two and a half years. At the height of the war, 19,000 Japanese soldiers and sailors were stationed on the island. On July 21, 1944, the Americans landed on Guam. The battle for Guam lasted 20 days, and almost all Japanese on the island were killed.

Political structure
Executive power is exercised by the governor (elected by the people of Guam for a 4-year term), who is appointed by the local government. Guam has one delegate to the US House of Representatives, but he does not have the right to vote. Legislature - The Legislative Assembly, consisting of 15 senators (elected by the population for a 2-year term). There is a movement for complete independence from the United States in Guam, but most Guamans prefer to maintain their current status in a modified form, gaining wider autonomy. Guam is the largest strategic military base USA in the Pacific. US military personnel are concentrated primarily at Andersen Air Force Base and Apra Harbor Naval Base.

US Citizenship - Guam
Wide known fact is that despite the tough immigration legislation (it is difficult to obtain a residence permit), there are "holes" in American laws that have been successfully exploited by cunning foreigners for a long time. One of these loopholes is obtaining US citizenship by right of the soil, that is, by birth in the country.

Here is what he wrote about obtaining US citizenship Seoul Newsletter:

Give birth to? to Guam
07/10/2001 Evgeny Stefan
For some time now, the island of Guam has become a tourist "mecca" for Korean women "in an interesting position," striving to relieve themselves of the burden there, according to the newspaper Munhwa Ilbo. Why is Guam so attracted to pregnant Korean women? Guam is an American territory. In accordance with the laws in force on the island, a child born in a public hospital in the United States automatically acquires American citizenship. A child is literally "born in a shirt." He becomes the proud owner of dual citizenship - the United States and the Republic of Korea. He is entitled to privileges such as US government grants for training and exemption from mandatory two-year service in the Korean army. The flight from Korea to Guam takes only four hours. The island is separated from the American continent by the Pacific Ocean. Unlike mainland America, where citizens of the Republic of Korea cannot get without a visa, Korean tourists in Guam are eligible for visa-free travel, provided that the stay does not exceed 15 days. Korean women are not embarrassed by the fact that American health insurance does not apply to them, and medical expenses can be impressive. With natural childbirth, obstetric services cost $ 5,000-6,000, but if surgery is required, the price rises to $ 12,000. Hotel accommodation is not cheap either. Thus, giving birth to a child in Guam will cost at least $ 10,000. Moreover, if childbirth is delayed, and the child has not appeared within 15 days, then desperate Korean women remain in Guam in the position of illegal immigrants. I am ashamed of our women, writes Munhwa Ilbo.

Visiting Guam for Russian citizens
From January 15, 2012 to October 3, 2019, Russian citizens could come to Guam without an American visa. The innovation was implemented in accordance with the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The simplified rules of entry were subject to the following conditions: the purpose of the trip - tourism or private visit; period of stay - no more than 45 days; It was necessary to have with you return tickets with a fixed date or tickets to a third country, proving that the departure would take place no later than the authorized period of stay. In addition, the traveler was required to have completed CBP Form I-736 and CBP Form I-94, which are available on the US Department of State website. Together with the passport, these papers were provided to the migration officer when passing passport control... At the same time, it was not allowed to go from Guam to the mainland of the United States, Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Visa-free entry extended only to Guam itself and the islands that are part of the Northern Mariana group.

From October 3, 2019, Russian citizens can visit Guam only with a visa previously issued at the US embassies. The introduction of visas is both a political issue and the desire of the authorities to stop exploiting the topic of childbirth in the United States and obtaining

Located in the western part of the United States of America, the island of Guam is bordered by Mariana Trench than from year to year attracts tourists to their lands. The small size of the island - 50 km long and 12 km wide - does not prevent this area from receiving a large number of Russian tourists every season. Many of those who decide on such a long journey are faced with a number of problems associated with obtaining a visa to the United States. It's not a secret for anyone that this is a lengthy process associated with paperwork and a lot of risks.

Guam island landscape. The state of Guam occupies the island of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, the largest of the Mariana Islands archipelago. Guam belongs to the United States and is at the same time autonomous. The capital of the country is Hagatna. The territory of the state is dominated by a hilly landscape, and the northern regions are a limestone plateau.

Do you need a visa to Guam?

Guam, although it belongs to the United States, is not part of them, and since 2012 Russians have been allowed visa-free entry to the island... This rule is still valid, but it has its own reservations. You can stay in Guam without a visa for no longer than 45 days. In this case, a prerequisite is the availability of a return ticket for a specific date.

A long wooden bridge marine park"Fisheye", in this observatory you can observe different types of fish and other marine life. The park is home to more than two hundred species of fish, representatives of the Pacific Ocean fauna. The park is located in Piti Bay, in the center of the famous diving spot "Piti Bomb Hole". It is the only underwater observatory in Micronesia where people from all over the world can observe the underwater life of marine life.

Visa-free travel is ideal only for those planning to spend their holidays exclusively on the island. A visit to the United States under this condition of entry will be impossible. Before taking tickets and issuing vouchers, you must familiarize yourself with the list of documents that you must have with you when visiting Guam without a visa:

1. Acting international passport a new sample that contains biometric data about its owner.
2. Completed Forms I-734 and I-94 on English language... They can be obtained either from the US Consulate or on board.

In this case, the purpose of the trip does not matter. Visa-free visits to the island are possible both for recreation and as a business trip. Despite the inaccessibility of visiting the states, there is the possibility of movement in the Northern Mariana Islands.

For those who are planning a long trip that will drag on for more than 45 days, it is necessary to apply for a visa to the island of Guam, as well as when visiting other countries on whose territory there is a visa-free regime.

What types of visas are there?

To obtain a visa for citizens of the Russian Federation, you must contact the US consulate located in Russia. At the same time, the list of papers, the cost and duration of a visa application directly depends on the purpose of obtaining it.

Hotel hotel Guam Resort. Consists of three buildings: Magas, Magalakhi and a department with medical and health procedures Magahaga.

Tourist visa

A tourist visa allows you to visit the country for a period tourist trip... At the same time, unlike a visitor visa, an invitation from relatives or friends permanently residing in the United States is not required.

Obtaining such a visa allows you to move freely not only throughout the states, but also to visit places that are not part of the state, but belong to it, including Guam. Immediately after completing your tourist trip, you must leave the United States.

Tumon Beach in Guam. This is the most popular beach in Guam. Located in the densely populated central region, close to the capital and the airport. There is all the necessary infrastructure near the beach. You can ride a banana boat or a jet ski, just relax on the pleasant and soft white sand.

Transit visa

The United States is one of the countries where visa-free transit is prohibited. This suggests that even if the transfer at an airport in the United States is the shortest possible period of time, you must have a visa. The process of obtaining a transit visa is absolutely identical to any other document required to travel to the United States. It should be understood that a transit visa entitles you to free movement around the airport for a short period of time - only between transfers from flight to flight. Walking the streets of the city with such a visa would be illegal.

international Airport named after Antonio B. Won Pat. Located seven kilometers from the capital city of Hagatna. In the airport's arrivals area, there are offices of the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, as well as the US Customs and Border Protection Service, which checks passengers on all flights arriving at the airport, with the exception of direct non-stop flights from the United States.

Visitor visa

This type of visa requires an invitation from a person permanently residing in the United States. This can be a relative, friend, or business partner. A big advantage when applying for such a visa will be that the person who invited the person has citizenship. A visitor visa allows you to stay on the island of Guam and travel across the states for up to 180 days in one trip.

The main advantage of such a visa is the possibility of multiple entry and exit into the country. If the purpose of the trip is to visit relatives, in addition to excellent knowledge of the language, the presence of joint photographs, which capture the happy moments of a friendly family, can also be useful.

Tumon Bay on Guam. The center of tourism on the island is the Tumon region. All five-star hotels in Guam are located in this part, 90% of all guests of the state rest here. It is a long coastal strip surrounded by hotels, duty free shops, clubs and restaurants.

Work Visa

A work visa allows you to work throughout the United States. The main condition for obtaining it is the obligatory presence of an employer. There are several types of work visas, each of which allows you to freely cross the border to carry out a certain type of work activity.

Latte Stones - a landmark in Guam, the heritage of the indigenous people of the Chamorro people. A little south of the capital there is Latte Stone Park, whose name comes from the mysterious stone structures called "latte", which supposedly came here in time immemorial from the very village of the Chamorro people.

Required documents for obtaining a visa

To visit Guam in 2019 for more than 45 days, you must apply for a visa. To do this, you should collect the following list of documents:

1. A valid international passport.
2. Photo 5 * 5 cm.
3. DS-160 Confirmed Electronic Claim.
4. A certificate of income and a certificate from the place of work, received by the applicant one month before applying to the consulate.
5. Bank statement confirming availability Money on the applicant's account.
6. Extract from a single state register real estate.

Translation of documents required for obtaining a visa is not required.

How much does it cost to apply for a visa in 2019?

Depending on the type of visa received, its price also varies. Thus, the cost of a tourist visa is $ 160. For a work visa, the consular fee will be slightly higher - $ 190. Paid in rubles, but according to the current exchange rate. When contacting agencies that specialize in visa assistance, the price will increase significantly.

Visa processing time

The time it takes to apply for a visa directly depends on the workload of the consulate.

According to the official regulations, the period for consideration of a visa application form and verification of the submitted documents can vary from 7 to 30 working days.

Guam's beaches are known for their unique landscape, white sand and rock formations. The most scenic spot the island is its southern region. It is noteworthy that it was in the southern region of the island that the famous traveler and discoverer Magellan.

Validity of visas

The period for which the right to enter the country is granted depends on the type of visa received:

• With a tourist or visitor visa, it is possible to freely leave and call in Guam for 3 years.
• Work and transit visas give the right to stay in the United States, including the Guam Islands, for up to 2 years.

Latte Stones are stone pillars of ancient buildings in Guam. The origin of the pillars, reaching 6 m in diameter, has not been precisely established, however, some scholars argue that these are just columns left over from the luxurious houses of the local nobility.

How to apply for a visa for a child?

For permission to leave Russia and the subsequent flight to Guam with a child under the age of 14, you must also apply for a visa. However, for such travelers, the conditions for obtaining it and the rules of entry have been greatly simplified - for them, the interview at the consulate has been canceled. To obtain a visa, persons under the age of 14 simply need to submit the following documents to the consulate:

• A certificate confirming the possibility of obtaining a visa without an interview.
• International passport.
• A copy of the parent's visa (if the child is traveling without legal representatives, you must attach a copy of the travel program).
• Photo 5 * 5.
• Certificate from the place of study, issued one month before the submission of the application.

Cape Two Lovers in Guam, about which there are many legends. This is the most visited place by tourists in Guam, it is located in the Tumon area. The legend tells of two lovers who were not destined to get married, and they jumped off a cliff, tying their hair together in order to be inseparable even after death. Here at an altitude of 120 m there is observation deck, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of Guam.

Reasons for refusing a visa

When the package of documents is collected and submitted for verification, you must appear for an interview with the consul. After this meeting, it remains only to wait for a decision on the issue of obtaining a visa. The applicant may be refused in cases when:

• the information obtained during the interview and analysis of documents is not enough to be confident in the identity of the applicant;
• inconsistency between the parameters of the applicant and the purpose of the trip;
• criminal record.

The parameters that prompted the consulate to refuse the applicant to receive the document will be detailed in the notification.

Refusal can be argued in various ways. It can be a small capital or a lack of strong ties with your country. In cases where there is a change in this situation, the applicant can collect and resubmit documents.

Valley of Guam Falls. The Valley of the Falls is unique in that the water from the rock ledge falls into small but deep bodies of water, where you can swim and refresh yourself. This feature is used by vacationers as a hydromassage and a natural shower.

Travel regulations for the United States

Those who are just about to set off on their first trip to Guam are wondering if there is still a way from the island to the United States? Is it possible to get to America without a visa, say, through the Grenadines or Saint Vincent? Unfortunately, these routes are considered illegal. The solution to the problem is still to obtain a visa.

Obtaining a visa to Guam is optional, provided that you stay in the country for no more than 45 days. At the same time, the purpose of the trip is absolutely not important. In case the trip plans to drag on for more long term, you need to apply for a visa.

A significant number of foreigners planning to visit this most beautiful corner of the Earth will need a visa to Guam. Are Russians among those who need a visa to travel to exotic island? Or visa-free entry is available for citizens of the Russian Federation? You will learn about this from our article.

Guam is a special territory

The official name of the region is the Territory of Guam. It is an island in the western Pacific Ocean, which has the status of an unincorporated organized territory of the United States. That is, Guam is not part of the United States of America, but is their possession.

Guam map with major cities and bays

Tourism plays a critical role in the economy of the Pacific island. 90% of foreigners come to Guam from Japan. Visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun are attracted by the delightful sandy beaches, fun on the water and exploration of the underwater world, monuments ancient history and the Second World War. All this is interesting for Russian travelers as well. So do they need a visa to Guam? Let's find out!

Visa-free archipelago

The United States, which owns Guam, has introduced visa-free access to the island for Russians. A significant event took place in January 2012.

It is worth noting that Guam is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Archipelago. Previously, tourists from the Russian Federation have already received the opportunity to visit other islands of the archipelago without a visa. So, it is allowed to stay on Saipan, Rota and Tinian for 1.5 months without a visa. Well, for Guam, until 2012, an American visa was required.

Mariana Islands Map

Now free entry is available for Russian citizens throughout the Mariana Archipelago. But "visa-free", as usual, has several reservations. A visitor arriving in the region on a preferential basis must meet a number of conditions. Guam has quite serious requirements for "visa-free" guests.

Nuances of visa-free visits to the island for Russian citizens

Those wishing to come to Guam without a visa must:

It's important to know! Visa-free arrivals should in no case get a job in Guam or go to school.

Documentation for "visa-free"

Subject to the above conditions, a visa to Guam is not required for Russians. However, travelers will still have to prepare a number of papers. When entering a Pacific island, guests from the Russian Federation present:

All documents are submitted during the passage of immigration (passport) control. Without these papers, it will not work to get to Guam without a visa.

What are entry forms?

All overseas visitors to Guam complete Forms I-736 and I-94. Official letterheads will be issued on board the airliner. You cannot find documents in advance on the Internet, print and fill out. The immigration officer will simply not accept them.

Form I-94

Please note that forms are only issued on aircraft from companies that have signed the I-760 agreement. These are, for example, Delta, Lufthansa and Northwest. If your carrier does not issue I-736 and I-94, or you want to prepare paperwork in advance, the required forms can be obtained from the US representative offices in the Russian Federation. Only such documents, and not printouts from the Internet, can be accepted upon entry to the island.

Forms must be completed in English. Information is indicated in block letters in legible handwriting. In the bottom field of the I-736 form, the date and signature are affixed.

Form I-94 is also signed. At the bottom of the document, the information above in the form is duplicated. At the border checkpoint, the lower part of the form will be torn off and put into the passport. This sheet will show the status of the person arriving in Guam. You can't lose it. Before leaving home, the sheet is handed over to the immigration officer.

Sample filling I-94

On a note! Separate forms are submitted for each participant of the trip over 14 years old. For a minor, the forms are signed by a parent, guardian or other adult accompanying the young citizen.

When is a visa required?

Do I need a visa to Guam if a foreigner plans to visit the Pacific territory not for tourist or private purposes? For example, for employment or education. Or in the case when a tourist voyage or business visit lasts longer than 45 days? Yes, in such situations, a visa document is required.

Any visa to Guam is American. It is drawn up in American diplomatic missions and strictly according to the rules established by the United States. If a trip to the island requires a visa, you will have to obtain an American entry paper corresponding to the purpose of the visit:

• B1 / B2 for business and leisure travel;
• one of the types of work visa;
• F visa for students, etc.

Usually, Russians do not ask for such documents just for the sake of a trip to Guam. Especially after 2012, when the Pacific island became visa-free for the Russian Federation.