What are the requirements for a minor (16) traveling alone from Russia to the USA and back?
My cousin wants to send her 16 year old daughter to visit my family for 3 weeks this summer. This will require her to fly from her home in Russia to my home in the USA alone. She speaks some English.
I am a US citizen and I have arranged visas for a number of my family members to visit in the past, so I am familiar with the general visa process. I am having a hard time finding specific information on the requirements and potential complications for an unaccompanied minor. I found this article from US Customs and Border Patrol, but it is very vague and links to the Department of State website, where I could find no further information.
I'm interested in any requirements or complications that might arise from her being an unaccompanied minor: how this will affect the visa process, any requirements that the airlines impose, and any other potential hazards or complications. I am especially interested in official written guidelines, but I would also appreciate advice from anyone who has done this.
Pictures about "What are the requirements for a minor (16) traveling alone from Russia to the USA and back?"
Can a 16 year old travel to America alone?
When a minor less than 18 years of age will travel alone or with only one parent, written consent to travel (in English) from the parent (or guardian) not accompanying him or her is required. This also is required for group travel such as students' school excursions or training programs.Can you travel alone internationally at 16?
Some airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to kids through age 17 on international flights, and charge the standard unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. Children must usually have the same passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults.What does a 16 year old need to fly alone?
For travel within Canada, children under 18 years of age must present a birth certificate, health card, passport or other government-issued identification. A passport is required for flights to and from the United-States as well as for international flights.FLYING ALONE INTERNATIONALLY FOR THE 1ST TIME (as a minor)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: ROMAN ODINTSOV, ROMAN ODINTSOV, Oleksandr Pidvalnyi, Airam Dato-on