Uncle Sam Wants

Tourists, but —

The United States attempt to attract tourists by slashing away some of the red tape from visa procedure has had a lot of publicity recently. Nonethe less, when you get down to cases, most British subjects who are used to travelling over most of the rest of the world without worrying about visas will find it irksome enough.

Before applying for a visa at a US Consulate you will need (a) a valid passport: (b) a photo of your self; (c) three separate letters. The first letter will be from your bank manager or someone who knows your financial situation who will state that you have sufficient money to keep you while in the US. The second letter will be from your travel agent who will confirm that you have an air or sea booking to get you out of the Place. And the third will be from a JP or a solicitor—or the manage ment of your firm—to state that you have “ties compelling you to return” to your place of domicile. (if, of course, you enjoy independent means and have no ties to compel you to return anywhere, the position obviously

becomes difficult).

The early March issue of the US Travel Agents Magazine, commenting sourly on the tough row Uncle Sam is going to have to hoe in attracting overseas tourists, says that the “‘day of the simple tourist identity card is obviously far distant”. They go on: Repeal of the transportation tax is unlikely; tour groups and independent travellers coming here without pre paying the various air, rail and bus portions of their American itinerary are subject to the 10 per cent. levy”.