What paperwork do i need to travel on holiday to the US from the UK?
Aug.09, 2011 in
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I am currently planning a trip to san antonio in april and i am flying from the UK. i was just wondering what paperwork/visas/passport/bording pass i will need for the flight.
my current passport was issued to me in september 2004 and is valid until 2014. it is machine readable as it has the ‘<<<<<<' strip at the bottom but i was confused about whether id need a 'chip' inside it? does anyone know.
also about the visa waiver, is this the form you fill out on the plane or do i need to get one of these before hand.
one last thing, what is ESTA and do i need to register with these online before my trip.
thank you, sorry for all the questions.
will
August 9th, 2011 at 8:35 am
If its just a holiday your passport is valid. Mine runs out at about the same time and i travel to the US often on holiday. I fill in a visa waiver form each time on the aircraft provided by the cabin crew. The only problem would be if you are not a full British citizen or have a criminal record in which case you will have to apply for a visa.
Canyon hiker .who used to live an hour or so from the S.Rim
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August 9th, 2011 at 11:35 am
I assume as you are flying from the UK, you are a UK resident? As long as you are, you qualify for the Visa Waiver. This means you dont need a visa, as long as you are staying no longer than 90 days, you have a machine readable passport (which yours should be as only issued in 2004) and you do not plan to work, etc. They also like you to have a return or onward trip already booked, or a good reason why you havent.
To be honest, you SHOULD experience no hassle whatsoever. You need to fill out the ESTA form online, and make a note of the confirmation number, even though you most likely wont be asked for it.
You will then board the plane and the air hostess will come down the aisle woth two forms (a white and a green) for non-US passport holders. You fill out these basic forms, which just ask you where you are staying for your first night (town and state is fine) and basically ask you if you are a Nazi, have any ties with Communism, or are plannign on doing anything illegal!
You then land, and pass through security, where they will take your fingerprints on this little machine, and take a photo of you. They will ask you a little about your trip, and let you on through to collect your baggage. This takes no longer than 5 mins (not counting queuing time if its super busy)
If they suspect anything illegal, they may send you to this room to speak to another immigration advisor, but as long as you arent doing anything illegal, you will be fine.
In my 6 times flying out there in the last two years, I have only had to go speak to the second immigration advisor once (the last time I went) and that was because I was going for 87 days, and there was a mix up with the first guy on how much money I had, and I was allowed to continue with my trip.
Hope this helps! Enjoy!
Frequent visitor to USA – just love to travel the place!!
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