Options
Travelling to the US
Hi all,
Any help with this query would be really appreciated. The US Embassy is a fortress to try to phone and the website isn't particularly clear (to me, anyway). I think I know the answer but just want to make sure.
So me and my girlfriend are due to travel to the US in the summer. The question is whether we need visas. My passport is more up to date and has what looks like a little chip on the back of the page with all the important information on it, her's doesn't.
Having looked on the website it appears there is a visa waiver programme for UK residents, but that this is dependent on having a passport with the chip.
Basically, have I got it right that I would qualify under the visa waiver programme and she wouldn't? In which case, should we just both get visas to keep things simple, and is there plenty of time to do this?
Also, are there any other complications I haven't thought of.
Many thanks in advance should anyone reply.
Any help with this query would be really appreciated. The US Embassy is a fortress to try to phone and the website isn't particularly clear (to me, anyway). I think I know the answer but just want to make sure.
So me and my girlfriend are due to travel to the US in the summer. The question is whether we need visas. My passport is more up to date and has what looks like a little chip on the back of the page with all the important information on it, her's doesn't.
Having looked on the website it appears there is a visa waiver programme for UK residents, but that this is dependent on having a passport with the chip.
Basically, have I got it right that I would qualify under the visa waiver programme and she wouldn't? In which case, should we just both get visas to keep things simple, and is there plenty of time to do this?
Also, are there any other complications I haven't thought of.
Many thanks in advance should anyone reply.
0
Comments
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
and here.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
The passport requirements are listed here: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visa-waiver-program.html and as I understand it, the date the passport was issued or renewed determines whether it has to be machine-readable and have a chip with info and/or photo embedded. So you read the table on that page (under all other countries) and compare the date the passport was issued with the info. If both the passports meet the requirements you both apply online for an ESTA and if that works, it's automatically registered and you simply travel with your passports. Hope that makes sense and helps.
Only use thee website linked. Others will charge extra for doing the same thing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3953237.stm
As above, be 100% sure your on the correct ETSA site.... should cost no more than $14 for each application.
Oh, and probe best to apply as soon as you can, as it can be very hard to contact the embassy to arrange a Visa if the ETSA doesn't work, although 99.9 % do go through OK
They are valid for two years from the date of purchase...you can go on the ESTA website and retrieve it, you don't need the application reference, you can just use your passport details.
You should really get around to applying for your ESTA's sharpish, it can take a few days to be ok'd. Mine come back straight away, but I have heard of people having to wait.
Don't forget you need to fill in your airlines API (Advanced Passenger Information), this just speeds up the airport process.
Having all your documents and paperwork 100% complete and correct, and answering all their questions clearly and promptly, helps enormously to get them on side. Look at it from their point of view: they want an easy life and job security, so if they can tap your information into their computer system smoothly then they can't be blamed if you later turn out to be a villain.
I fly to the US about 2 or 3 times a year and have never had a problem. Only once was I questioned about why I had visited Bali twice and the Cambia, that did raise a few eyebrows.
Can she not just apply for a new passport? Surely that's the easiest option?
<<<<<<96838-36369>>>>>>> numbers like this at the bottom.
... as long as it conforms to the requirements specified on the web site linked earlier in the thread. Of course it may be the case that all UK passports conform to the requirements - my wife's passport was machine-readable but chip-less, and it was accepted for an ESTA.
I've never had a problem, they're friendly enough. Although first time we went they asked my wife if she'd ever been to the U.S. and didn't seem happy when she said no!
Been five times, twice to NY, Once to Atlanta, Phoenix, Miami, and am going to New Orleans next month. Not once have I had any problems, sure they may ask a few questions, but as long as you are honest and clear with them, and in my case had a few laughs with them they are absolutely fine. Hell the Immigration Officer in Atlanta even recommended good places for me and my family to go eat.
Maybe you would prefer them to just stamp and scan everything without asking questions or even looking at what they are doing, but that is not going to happen and for perfectly understandable reasons.
They would have seen electronic verification of your visas when they checked your passport. Had they not seen that then you would have been invited to partake in a "discussion".
They don't need to see them, as they are electronic, if you didn't have them you wouldn't even be allowed to check-in for your flight, because when the airline enters your passport details it shows you have an esta and are permitted to travel to the USA. They will always ask questions though, just because you have an esta it doesn't guarantee entry.
Nice bit of profit there for the agency about £80.00 less time, effort etc, as 3 years ago they would have been free.
True you used to complete a Visa Waiver form on the plane