Dos and Don’ts

Do’s

1. Check CBP Website for Admission into the US:

• After obtaining Required visa from the US Embassy in Islamabad, please check US

Customs and Border Protection Website https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors

for necessary information to enter the United States particularly general US guidelines for

o Admission to the United States

o Bringing Food to the United States

1. Check Covid-19 related Protocols:

• Covid-19 related protocols for entering the US changes from time to time. Please check

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-

covid19.html before travelling to the US.

iii. Observing Financial regulations.

• Under US immigration rules, it is only allowed to bring cash less than or equal to 10,000 $

per family.

• Please use authorized banking channels while bringing money or doing transactions in the

US.

• Workers must use authorized banking channels to send remittances to Pakistan.

1. Prepare Checklist for the Necessary Documents

• Prepare a checklist of documents. For example, students should consult the Universities

in advance for all the necessary documents.

1. Observance of local Laws:

• Update yourself with the local rules and laws of the State and area in the US you are

visiting.

• Committing an offence and resultant punishment in certain cases may also lead to

deportation from the US.

1. Observance of Traffic Rules and Regulations:

• There are strict punitive measures (both fine and imprisonment) for violating traffic rules

and regulations. Driving under Influence (prohibited drugs/ alcohol) is heavily punished

with fine and imprisonment.

• Unnecessary honking is strictly discouraged and disliked

vii. University Rules and Regulations:

• Students must follow the University guidelines regarding attendance, course requirements,

general discipline.

viii. General Etiquettes:

• While abroad, every Pakistani citizen is an Ambassador of Pakistan’s culture and

traditions, best behavior is expected during your stay in the US.

• Be courteous in your interaction. Americans greet each other with Hi, Hello, Good

Morning/Good Afternoon/ Good Evening with a smile. It is common to shake hands while

meeting irrespective of gender.

• Americans usually call the individuals by their last name in their interactions. First name

is used by friends, close acquaintances only.

• Bring a small gift for the host if invited for a dinner.
• In restaurants, unless specified by the host that he/she will pay the bill, Americans pay their

own bill on individual basis.

• A tip is expected in restaurants and places of other services like barber shops (usually 10%).
• In the US, there is strong tradition for queuing up and waiting for activities like buying

tickets, riding a bus, shopping etc. It is considered very rude and unacceptable to cut the

line. The shop keepers will deal with the customers one by one and will not attend the

next in line until the issue of first customer is fully dealt with.

• While visiting an American family, one should expect household pets like cats and dogs.

Online Scams

• According to US Federal Trade Commission, Prizes, sweepstakes, lotteries, internet

services, business and job opportunities are the top five fraud categories of online

scamming in 2021 followed by online shopping.

• Always perform due diligence and verification in financial matters including over the

internet to avoid being scammed.

Don’ts

1. Don’t Breach Visa Conditions:

• Students, Professionals, visitors, and Business Delegates are required to conduct their

business strictly within the parameters of the visa issued. For example, on visitors’ US

visa, you are not allowed to work, etc.

• Do not exceed the duration of stay of your visa.

1. General Etiquettes:

• Be mindful of cultural differences regarding clothing, modesty etc. Do not stare or

comment on the clothing/ dressings of any individual.

• Do not spit, throw trash while walking on the streets and Malls.
• Do not discuss sensitive topics e.g., US domestic politics, LGBTQ+ rights, abortion,

holocaust, racial issues etc.

• The US metropolitan areas are ethnically diverse. Do not pass racial comments or ask

country of origin from the individuals in conversations.

• The US society prides itself on its religious pluralism. Do not question someone’s religious

beliefs and faith.

• Respect privacy of individuals. Questions about salary, marital status, religious affiliation

are considered intrusive.

• Smoking is prohibited in public spaces. Strictly follow non-smoking signs.
• Avoid using American slangs in your conversation without fully understanding the context.

iii. Diligence while Visiting Areas:

• Certain areas in US Metropolitans have high rates of street crimes. It is always better to

check the safety and appropriate timings to visit certain areas. It is always preferred to visit

such areas during daytime to avoid any unfortunate incident.

1. Financial Transactions:

• US has a highly regularized and digitized financial system. Financial regulations and rules

are very strict. Do not use unauthorized channels to transfer money.

• Credit card fraud/ defaulting on payment is a serious offence. You may be barred from re-

entering into the US or denied US visa in the future