Frequently Asked Questions upon travelling to the USA
Do I need a VISA to travel to the United States?
Most British holidaymakers can still travel under the Visa Waiver Program. All you have to do is complete a visa waiver form on the plane and hand it in on arrival. If you are intending to work or study then you probably will require a VISA.
What if I have a criminal record?
If you have been arrested anywhere in the world, even if not convicted, or you have a criminal record you are not supposed to travel under the VISA waiver program. You will need to apply for a VISA.
Are there any circumstances in which holidaymakers can't use the VISA waiver program?
Yes there are. From October 26 2004 you need a machine readable passport. Most UK passports are now machine readable. From this date children need to have their own machine readable passports to use the VISA waiver program. If your child is on your passport it will be far easier to get them their own passport than apply for a VISA.
How long can I stay under the VISA waiver program?
You're only allowed to stay for up to 90 days. If you have stayed longer on any occasion, apply for a VISA on your next visit.
How do I go about getting a VISA?
This process is difficult and time consuming. Most VISA applicants aged between 14 and 79 need to attend an interview in person either at the American Embassy in London or the US Consulate in Belfast. You must call the premium rate line to make an appointment (09055 444 546). The waiting time is approximately one month and then a few days after the interview for processing. If you are applying due to having a criminal conviction this process can take much longer. You may need a waiver of permanent ineligibility from the US authorities which will take a minimum of 14 weeks to process. You will also need a Memorandum of Conviction from the court in which you were tried. Expect to spend a few hours at the embassy on the interview day. The cost of a VISA application is around £60.
Other developments.
From September 30 2004 if you are aged between 14 and 79 and travelling under the VISA waiver program you will be finger-printed and photographed on arrival in the US. The process will take longer so expect longer queues at immigration. This process compensates for the fact that the US authorities have been forced to postpone the requirement for biometric passports which have a computer chip into which a photograph has been scanned. This is because no country is issuing such passports yet. Under the latest timetable, a passport issued after October 26 2005, must be biometric for the holder to be eligible for the VISA waiver program.
The address of your first nights stay.
On the VISA waiver form you will need to provide the address of your first nights stay in the US as accurately as possible. Our address is in our contact details section of the website.