Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. I'm travelling to the USA, do I need a visa?

    From 26 October 2004, anyone (adults and children) wishing to visit the USA must have either: -
    1. A Machine Readable Passport and a Visa Waiver form (obtained at the airport on departure) OR 2. A valid visa which must be obtained before travel from the US authorities.

    VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME - BRITISH CITIZENS
    The visa waiver programme is applicable to British Citizens travelling to the US on business, pleasure or transit for 90 days or less. They must also have the address and post code for where they are staying to ensure they are fully able to complete the I94W Immigration form when they land.

    VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME - LIMITATIONS
    Passengers who have been arrested (even if not convicted), have certain communicable diseases or who have previously been refused a visa may not be able to enter the US on the Visa Waiver programme. Someone convicted in court re a speeding fine for example, will need a visa, even if it was 15 years ago! In all these cases, customers can apply for a visa prior to travel.
    Please see http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html for further details.

    VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME - BRITISH SUBJECTS
    Passengers travelling on British Subject passports cannot use the visa waiver scheme and must apply for a visa prior to travel. British Subjects are normally people born in Commonwealth countries.

    VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME - FOREIGN NATIONALS
    Some foreign passport holders can travel on the visa waiver programme, however, this is always subject to change. Irish passport holders can travel on the visa waiver programme.

    WHAT IS A MACHINE READABLE PASSPORT?
    All passports currently issued in the UK or at British Missions Overseas are machine-readable. However, some older passports may not be machine-readable. A British passport is machine readable when there are two lines of letters, numbers and the chevrons (“>>>>>>>”) printed across the long edge of the personal information page (the page with the photograph and personal details). The machine-readable text will appear on a white strip on older passports and directly on the pink page of newer passports. If there are no such lines of text on the personal information page, the passport is not machine-readable.

    WHAT IF A CUSTOMER HOLDS A MACHINE READABLE PASSPORT AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE INCLUDED ON THAT PASSPORT?
    As their children’s information is not machine-readable it is recommended that they obtain a new machine-readable passport for each child. Alternatively, they may wish to apply for a US visa for each child.

    BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS
    The US government has delayed implementing the requirement that all 'new' passports are biometric until October 2005 and they are being lobbied to extend this further. At this stage, passengers do not have to have biometric passports to travel and any new passports issued up to October 2005 will definitely be valid for entry to the US.
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  2. Where can I find information about passports?

    The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) site aims to assist new applicants and existing passport holders by providing information and online facilities for all aspects of application, renewal and amendments of passports for British nationals resident in the UK.
    Please see http://www.ukpa.gov.uk for further information
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  3. Which Terminal am I flying from?

    If you are not sure which terminal you are flying from 0871 226 7011Don't forget only London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester airports have more than one passenger terminal!

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  4. Electronic System for Travel Authorization "ESTA"

    ABOUT ESTA
    ESTA is short for the "Electronic System for Travel Authorization." ESTA is an application system for all travelers from Visa Waiver Countries. The Visa Waiver Program has made visiting the United States very easy for millions of visitors with a machine readable passport. Now, due to heightened security regulations, the same visitors must apply for a Travel Authorization in advance. As always, a passport from a Visa Waiver country is still required to gain admittance to the country. The entire application process is conducted online and operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

    The Travel Authorization is not a visa. In fact, a person from a non-visa waiver country should not even attempt to apply for a Travel Authorization. The purpose of ESTA is to allow DHS to pre-screen all Visa Waiver Travelers before they leave their respective countries. US bound travelers are recommended to apply for the Travel Authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure. An approved Travel Authorization is not a guaranteed entry, but a prerequisite to travel to the United States by air or sea carrier.

     

    Visit http://www.esta.us/esta.html for more information and application

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