I'm travelling to the States next month - gonna be there for two weeks - from London and am not sure if I need a visa or not. A website I went on said no but people are saying yes you do cos of the terrorist threats in August. Does anyone really know, or know how I can find out?
2006-09-29 23:53:25 · 12 answers · asked by Dotty 4 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ New York City
It depends on when you were issued your passport. If it was before Oct 26th, 2005 you can still travel to the usa on the visa waiver scheme. IF it was issued after Oct 26, 2005 and is not a biometric one (this has a chip in it) its more than likely you will need to apply for a visa.
2006-09-30 00:15:12 · answer #1 · answered by K's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are travelling on a British passport you do not need a visa.
The US accepts machine-readable British passports, all of which are, because this type has been issued since 1988.
You will need to complete a green visa waiver form, which will be given to you either at check-in or on board the plane, and a white customs declaration form.
The visa waiver form will ask, amongst other things, for your passport number and the address you will be staying at on the first night of your visit, so have that information handy before you stow your bag in the overhead locker!
At the immigration desk you will be asked the purpose of your visit and when you will be returning. Be nice to the person asking the questions, they have the right to refuse you entry... They will take a scan of your index fingerprints and a photo, for iris recognition.
The visa waiver programme allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days at a time, so be out of there before then.
When you leave, there may be a checkout machine into which you have to insert the machine readable page of your passport. No problem, there'll be someone there to help you with that.
Enjoy your trip; I'm going over again next month, see you there!
2006-09-30 13:57:05 · answer #2 · answered by Andy M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can travel on the visa waiver scheme (fill a green card out on the plane which airline supply) without a US Embassy issued travel visa if you hold a machine readable passport (new style EU maroon ones) and have no criminal record. On entry point in states you will be iris and fingerprint scanned. I've been this year and last and sister travelled and returned from New York a week ago. New passports issued after oct 26th 06 will need biometric info. Older passports are valid till expiry
2006-09-30 00:12:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I f you are going on holiday you DO NOT need a visa as British passport holders are exempt.I have travelled there more times than I care to remember and have filled out the visa waiver form which you hand over at passport control.You need a machine readable passport though.
However I read an article recently saying that the U.S. government is considering withdrawing the visa waiver scheme due to terrorist problem!
2006-09-30 23:29:54 · answer #4 · answered by HIMSELF 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you just fill out the visa waiver form when you get to the airport. If this is your first visit to the states you will have your photo and fingerprint taken when you enter. When you leave check if the airport has a machine for you to check out of the states in the departure area, I have had to do this on my last two trips to Chicago. If you do not do this there may be a problem with you getting back into the US again as they may think that you have overstayed your visit. I was advised of this by the internal security officer at the airport.
2006-09-30 06:24:36 · answer #5 · answered by Kernowc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best place to look is the US Embassy site. (link below). Copied directly
'Most visitors to the United States enter the country as tourists. With the introduction of visa free travel to citizens of 27 countries, it is now possible for many travelers, including British citizens, to enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (WVP). Visa free travel is also available to qualified travelers who enter the United States on business or in transit.'
Therefore if you are a British citizen, you don't need a visa.
2006-09-30 00:00:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. As long as you have the new style passport you do not need a visa. I went the day after the threat, with my family to the states, when we checked in at the airport the BA rep gave us our green immigration cards, these have to be filled out with NO mistakes what so ever, so she gave us 2 each. They will also ask you at check in for an address you will be staying at during your stay.
I found as long as you filled out the immigration card correctly and did everything they asked, we got through customs quite quickly. It took 8 of us longer to get back into the UK than it did into the US.
2006-09-30 01:40:39 · answer #7 · answered by misery 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you are a 'normal' traveller.
If you have ever been arrested or have a criminal record you will need a visa and should contact the embassy.
Make sure there is at least 6 months to run on your passport.
2006-09-30 03:11:06 · answer #8 · answered by Trish D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a criminal record or convition then you need a visa if not then you dont. They do class being arrested as being a criminal even if you werent found guilty. so maybe try out the travel agents website for information. Im flying to the states in november, the first choice website told me what i needed to know. Enjoy your trip.
2006-09-30 00:09:18 · answer #9 · answered by princess tinkle UK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as you have a modern passport, the one with a bar code near the back, then you don't need a visa.. went through the same worries myself and ended up going into a travel agent to find out for sure.. stop worrying and enjoy your trip
2006-09-30 00:03:52 · answer #10 · answered by Paul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋