Page 1 of Visiting the states -passport visa issues

well trhree weeks time and i will be there... but someone told me yesterday i need a visa as well as a passport? also that the passport must be valid for at least another twelve months after return?

When booking i wasnt advised to get a visa of any type... and my passport is up next june... am i going to have to sort something out, if so any ideas how/where?

Or am i being wound up???



`i am going to live forever or die trying`

This item was edited on Monday, 14th August 2006, 14:42

I don`t think you need a visa as the UK are part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Have a look at this website for more info.

EDIT: just found this on the website which would seem to agree with the good doctor. Quote:
They present a machine-readable passport (MRP) valid for six months past their expected stay in the U.S. (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).

This item was edited on Monday, 14th August 2006, 15:24

It allways used to be that you filled out your visa form on the plane as you were aproching the states. The stewards/stewardess would give you the form. Wether this has changed after 9/11 I do not know. I thought the passport thing was 6 months. Not sure though.

Dr 42%er.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

Ok, got this from the US Embassy-London site.

Visa.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html

Passport
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/passport_validity.html

Dr 42%er.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

cheers guys... i think they were trying to wind me up then!!!



`i am going to live forever or die trying`

The visa waiver does not apply to anyone having been arrested, cautioned or convicted of a criminal act. You would need to apply for a visa if you meet any of these criteria ;)

Quote:
The visa waiver does not apply to anyone having been arrested, cautioned or convicted of a criminal act. You would need to apply for a visa if you meet any of these criteria cheeky monkey... i will have to send a few local friends around to offer some words of advice... ;)



`i am going to live forever or die trying`

Our travel girls said that if you have a machine readable passport (arrows and your name/code underneath the photo),then you can apply on the plane.

If not,you have to apply before you go.

I think you can still get them on the plane.
Something was coming in whereby you would need a visa if you didn`t have a biometric passport but it got delayed. As of next year though things are changing and you may need one.
We`ve just had to get 4 passports (last week) - almost £200 :( but thankfully, even though the Passport Office are still issuing both types, we all got the newer `biometric` one.
By biometric, all it is is your photo and your passport details are stored electronically in a read only chip.

Ste

This item was edited on Tuesday, 15th August 2006, 23:08

Quote:
i will have to send a few local friends around to offer some words of advice

If you could that would be great. I`m off to Florida on Thursday and they can look in on the house for me. ;)