when i finish collage i would like to go travel the usa for year or so, what do i need to do this?

i'm 19 and a uk resedent and when i finish collage in years time i would like to travel the usa for a year, i would probibly need to do some work out there to fund my trip. do i need some sort of visa? i've herd if you are convicted of a crime you are not aloud entry? i have had 2 minor affences when i was 16 but this shold have cleared when i became 18, i am also about to be banned from driving for speeding, will this affect my trip? thanks

You are about to finish college? You can come over on a work visa. A lot of restaurants sponsor youngsters who want to come over and work.

I have some buddies who are non-citizens and so have to be careful about working here. My friends have worked as office movers, wedding caterers, and something else, and got paid $10/hour cash under the table.

It's not that hard, but you'll have to be careful. Also, America is another super-populated country. I was born here and have been to many places, and it's never 'cheap'. If you're going to travel the USA, plan your travels around your favorite types of scenery and activities. Do you have any good American friends, or maybe people who work over here?

You shouldn't be barred entry for misdemeanor type charges. I'm not sure about felons, but I'd hope that we don't allow serious criminals entry into the USA.

You'll get a tourist VISA when you arrive in the USA but it might help to look into getting a student VISA or something.

You should definitely make friends with people online and stay with them when you come to visit. Could save you thousands of dollars. That and camping. Try the personals websites and myspace you can make a lot of contacts and just about any American i know would let someone come crash at there house for a day or two, its exciting, especially a Brit. We love you guys! As for getting in the country there won't be any problem. I would get on it now though, our bureaucracy is maddening, and that stuff takes a long time.

Good luck!

My friends from Lithuania came over and they had to have job offers before they came over. I had to make some fake offers up for them and got their travel Visa. I don't know how this compares to the UK. You shouldn't have any problem getting into the country with juvenile/speeding offenses. We let everybody drive here, so you could probably get a car if you have the cash. Driver's licenses are ridiculously easy to get.

The hosteling here isn't very good and traveling is difficult/expensive. Greyhound buses have flex passes that will get you almost anywhere, but they're sort of slow. Use www.craigslist.com to hook up with people and find work, it covers the whole US. Also you'll need a social security number to work in the US.
Good luck

I don't know about the criminal stuff, but I do know a bit about travel in the USA.

1. Internationals can get a North American Airline Pass, which will allow you to travel as much as you like to most major cities in a period of time (usually as much as one year).

2. If you are going to drive you need a International driving license. My mother in law has one (my husbands family is from South Africa) and it was easy to get in her home country. Also, we know quite a few people who have bought used cars/cycles from reputable places and sold them before they left.

3. You can also get information from your local Automobile Association (AAA in America).

4. Leave copies of all of your visas (I don't think you need one if you are from UK), passport, driver's license, etc. with a friend at home. If yours gets lost here you will be happy.

5. If you need money you can always au pair. That is how my niece is coming to America next year.

6. We have a lot of used clothes stores here, so you can get things and give things as you need.

7. Americans are very friendly and usually love to help out travelers, so enjoy your visit.

If you have more questions, let me know!

Most large American cities have Hostels, which Europeans are familiar with (discounts for students/youth too).