USA Visa Information

THE MAJORITY OF BRITISH TRAVELLERS CAN CONTINUE TO TRAVEL TO THE USA WITHOUT A VISA

New visa rules for travel to the USA have been widely reported in the UK media over the last few months and many people are confused as to whether they need a tourist visa or not.

At present, British holidaymakers do not need a tourist visa under the US Visa Waver programme and this will continue for UK travellers provided that they hold a machine readable passport (two typeface lines at the bottom of the biographical page) that was issued in the UK before the 25th. October 2004 and is valid at the time of travel. Most UK holidaymakers can therefore continue to travel under the visa waver scheme. This has been extended to October 2005

UK travellers who obtain or renew a UK passport after 26th. October 2004 and before the introduction of biometric data passports will need a visa to enter the USA. This must be applied for in person at the US Embassy at a cost of £67.

ABTA and Visit USA suggest that those travellers whose passports are due to expire during and following the 26th. October changeover date and before 2006 when biometric passports should be available, can avoid potential problems by renewing their passports at any time preceding 26th. October 2004.

In addition from the 26th. October 2004, all children must have their own documentation to enter the USA and can no longer travel on a parent's passport.

MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS

A machine readable passport can generally be identified by the presence of two typeface lines printed on the biographical page. This is the page in your passport where your photograph is and the two lines of type run from left to right under the photograph. In 2004 the majority of passport holders in the UK do have this type of passport.

US Visa waiver programme moves online. 
IN a major change to the United States visa waiver programme (VWP), UK citizens will need to apply online and in advance of travelling from January 12, 2009.
Currently, citizens of VWP member countries – including the UK and Ireland – must complete a green I94 form onboard before landing in the US, but a trial of the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) programme is already underway and will be fully implemented on January 12.
Once approved, an ESTA is valid for multiple entries over two years – or until the holder’s passport expires.
US authorities are keen to highlight the fact that the information required of passengers is no different to that on the current I94 form and that, in the vast majority of cases, a message indicating authorisation to travel – or not – will be instant.
Those planning to travel to the US are encouraged to apply for authorisation as far in advance as possible and no later than 72 hours before travelling, although “there will be accommodations for those flying at the last minute or in emergencies”.
The ESTA itself is an electronic authorisation matched to a passport – rather than a physical endorsement or certificate – and can be applied for even without the passenger knowing their exact travel and destination details. Those in possession of an ESTA should update their travel details (via the same website) for each subsequent journey to the US during its two-year validity.
Travel agents are being asked to help communicate the changes to the public.
For more information and for ESTA approval visit: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/