RISP1.NPOM.WDC.15May1997 by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons

Every foreign citizen who visits the United States must have some form of visa or prearranged clearance before entering. Requirements vary by country, so check with the nearest US embassy for details or browse the useful information online at the US government’s visa website.

Health and Safety

Rhode Island should present little, if any, health and safety concerns for international travelers. It is one of the safest and friendliest states in America, as experienced by tourists of all kinds. Some degree of caution should be used in the capital Providence if walking around after dark, as there are a few neighborhoods with the slight potential for crime. In Newport, it’s more likely that an opportune thief will steal your valuables if you leave them in your car.

Visitors should consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B due to all the tempting seafood on offer, as you can never be 100 percent sure of the hygiene standards in a clam shack. In summer, the air may feel wonderfully cool but the sun is still beating down with intense UV rays. Don’t let the temperature fool you into neglecting to use sunscreen when you spend a day at the beach. Keep an eye on the water temperature as well. Many visitors get hypothermia after staying in the chilly Atlantic waters too long.

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