American visa

agnes

agnes

agnes

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I'm being lazy, short of it is, never been to 'Merica.

I'm in New York in 5 weeks time. Do I need a visa? What do I need to do?

Also, I have a new spangly machine readable passport, does that help in anyway?

Thanks
 
You don't need a visa (assuming you hold a UK passport and plan to stay for under 90 days).

You do need to go through the ESTA process.

You don't need an electronic passport thingie.
 
Assuming you're from the UK or a bunch of other countries they have on a list, you need an ESTA from the Visa Waiver program. Apply online any time before you go, it's pretty much instant any time I've done it. You'll have to put in your personal details, passport number and answer a load of questions. Having a machine readable passport is part of the requirements for this.

Do it from the official US government site (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/), I think it costs something like $14.

EDIT: Derp, growse beat me to it.
 
ESTA isn't a visa process though.
If you are eligible for ESTA then you don't need a visa.
IF you have a criminal record you will need to apply for a visa, a good 6 month in advance at least.
 
I'm British and not a thug. Good times all round, will do that next week at work, so I get paid to do it haha.

Thanks!
 
As pointed out, you are allowed to go for 90-days at a time. What is the period you then need to return for the UK for before going back (and how long are you then allowed?)
 
as me and family going florida in september we have done the esta thing very quick and easy costs 16usd each needs to be done 48 hours before you leave
 
Ice Rich said:
As pointed out, you are allowed to go for 90-days at a time. What is the period you then need to return for the UK for before going back (and how long are you then allowed?)
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In theory you could get on a flight the next day and go back to the for 90 days. In practice you must have a good reason for returning immediately otherwise when you arrive in the US you will be anally probed and sent on the next plane home. Saying that I do know of a married couple where the husband lived and worked in london and flew out to New York to see his wife pretty much monthly.


You should also note that you can't do anything on the tourist waiver, no part time work or anything. If you are found in breach or over stay you will never be allowed back in.
 
Don't forget ESTA lasts for two years! So if you go again in that period you don't have to pay the 14 bucks again.
 
And don't forget, keep your head down and don't be a jackass when going through border control/ dealing with the TSA. They're aren't the best bunch.
 
Are you eligible for the visa waiver program? Most people are, but those with convictions may need to get a B1 or B2 visa from the London embassy. I have one due to some daft ladies at the US marriage office refusing a marriage license without one for example. (advantages of having a visa are better legal status and 6 month visit period btw).

So, assuming you don't need one, just sign up for ESTA as everyone above has advised and roll with the VWP.

Have a great time!

P. S. Get that ESTA done ASAP... Like tonight.
 
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you will need to do the API with the airline in advance too

re criminal record that is not entirely correct, there are times you can have been arrested but not even charged with anything but still need to get a visa
 
agnes said:
I'm being lazy, short of it is, never been to 'Merica.

I'm in New York in 5 weeks time. Do I need a visa? What do I need to do?

Also, I have a new spangly machine readable passport, does that help in anyway?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I think they take cash as well as credit cards.

:cool:
 
Scougar said:
Are you eligible for the visa waiver program? Most people are, but those with convictions may need to get a B1 or B2 visa from the London embassy. I have one due to some daft ladies at the US marriage office refusing a marriage license without one for example. (advantages of having a visa are better legal status and 6 month visit period btw).

So, assuming you don't need one, just sign up for ESTA as everyone above has advised and roll with the VWP.

Have a great time!

P. S. Get that ESTA done ASAP... Like tonight.
Click to expand...

Why the urgency if it doesn't need to be done until a few days before hand?

Rotty said:
you will need to do the API with the airline in advance too

re criminal record that is not entirely correct, there are times you can have been arrested but not even charged with anything but still need to get a visa
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API with the airline?
 
agnes said:
Why the urgency if it doesn't need to be done until a few days before hand?



API with the airline?
Click to expand...

Advance passenger information, you fill it in on airline website

for example

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/faq/advancedpassengerinformation.jsp

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/imminfo/public/en_gb

some allow at check in desk but most want it online in advance, some airlines even charge you if you haven't done it in advance and do it at check in, if you are checking in online then you can do it at that time
 
D.P. said:
You should also note that you can't do anything on the tourist waiver, no part time work or anything. If you are found in breach or over stay you will never be allowed back in.
Click to expand...

Only in the sense that you can't take up a job in America. You can still go over for business on a tourist waiver.
 
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