USA visa

pingwing · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:21

Right quickest question ever, im going on holiday to the usa for xmas with my mum and sister. Im guessing we all need visa's (its only for 6 days or so but i think its still nessessary) so how do we get them??

(Us immigration website was very confusing so id thought id ask you all now)

Bear · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:21

No you dont need visas, you just fill in a form on the plane AFAIK.

Burnsy2023 · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:23

The UK qualifies under the Visa Waver Programme

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#vwp

jas72 · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:25

when did you renew/get your passport?

It has to be machine readable and have a digital photo.

pingwing · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:41

Ah sweet, cheers for that!

Urm mine and my sisters havnt been done in nearly 5 years (they both expire at the start of next year) but my mums was done recently (so hers should be fine). Will my sisters and mine be ok though?

meghatronic · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:44

pingwing said:
Ah sweet, cheers for that!

Urm mine and my sisters havnt been done in nearly 5 years (they both expire at the start of next year) but my mums was done recently (so hers should be fine). Will my sisters and mine be ok though?

My passport is 6yrs old, and it was fine last yr, so I don't see why not.

Rich_L · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:47

If they expire before June 2009, you will need a new passport as you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport to go on the visa waiver program, afaik.

pingwing · 10 Nov 2008 at 20:57

meghatronic said:
My passport is 6yrs old, and it was fine last yr, so I don't see why not.

Brilliant, from what iv read all our passports are valid. (just wish the us would write their dates the right way round)

I havnt read anything about the 6months validity requirement Rich L, have you got a source for it??

Bear · 10 Nov 2008 at 21:43

pingwing said:
Brilliant, from what iv read all our passports are valid. (just wish the us would write their dates the right way round)

I havnt read anything about the 6months validity requirement Rich L, have you got a source for it??

Most countries specify a greater than 6 month remaining on the passport to make it valid to enter the country.

pingwing · 10 Nov 2008 at 21:45

Ah right ill get back on that.

Thanks again everyone!

J.B · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:28

Bear said:
Most countries specify a greater than 6 month remaining on the passport to make it valid to enter the country.

That was my understanding of it as well, if I were you Id ring the US embassy, or email them.

havoc08 · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:37

hmm

will be going to usa again sept 09 already booked but have been informed that (by travel agent) the green card you fill out on the plane is no longer in use and you have to apply through a web site ,sorry carn t be more accurate didnt take much notice because not going till late next year.

Sone · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:39

the new system is from january 09 afaik, you have to register online 72hrs before entering the country.

havoc08 · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:41

Sone said:
the new system is from january 09 afaik, you have to register online 72hrs before entering the country.

i ll still forget

Sone · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:45

havoc08 said:
i ll still forget

They will not let you on the flight then

havoc08 · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:49

Sone said:
They will not let you on the flight then

mrs will sort it,(pass the buck)

BoomAM · 10 Nov 2008 at 22:52

Your passport must be made after October 2005, have a biochip, a digital photograph and be machine readable.

Ensure all of this before you go.
The last 3 wernt mentioned to me by expedia, american airlines or the consulate. They were just asumed as part of being made past October 2005.
Ended up costing me £1500 and no holiday.

.

MrMagoo · 11 Nov 2008 at 00:05

BoomAM said:
Your passport must be made after October 2005, have a biochip, a digital photograph and be machine readable.

Ensure all of this before you go.
The last 3 wernt mentioned to me by expedia, american airlines or the consulate. They were just asumed as part of being made past October 2005.
Ended up costing me £1500 and no holiday. .

Hi,

It's only if it's made after 2005 that it needs the biochip, ones before are valid as long as they have the photo and machine readable.

Sone · 11 Nov 2008 at 01:11

my passport is april 05 without a biochip and i had no problems getting in 2 weeks ago. (4th time this year so no fluke)

edit, doh missed the october 05 bit

MrMagoo · 11 Nov 2008 at 01:59

Hi,

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/mrp_bio.html

Should help

Visa free travelers, including children, entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) require individual machine-readable passports (MRP). This requirement has been in place since October 26, 2004.

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006 it must contain a digital photograph.

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006, it must be also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information.