Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Wondering if anyone can help. Off to the states for a holiday in november and just went through the whole visa application thing. Applied for a B2 Visa which is a holiday visa. It then said i had to book an interview at the US embassy, but my girlfriend told me you only need to do that if you're working. I've then just read up a bit further and apparently we as British citizens qualify for a visa waiver program. Could anyone who's been recently give me pointers on what i should be doing? Totally confused. http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/vwp3.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalamazoo Jambo Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Yes, there's a visa waiver program that should cover you. Check out the info on this link... https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Yes, there's a visa waiver program that should cover you. Check out the info on this link... https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ Thanks mate. Does that mean the only documents i should require for travel are my passport and tickets? Assuming there are no documents after the application process you just posted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTHO Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Yeah I went over the summer for my honeymoon and it was all registered electronically with their customs agency. We printed off the confirmation and kept reference numbers etc, but we were never asked for them. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie1874 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Complete your esta, as long as you can answer no to all the questions on it that should be all you need. Lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires whichever comes sooner. Costs $14 (used to be free) That should be all you need plus your landing card you complete on the plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertracoon Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks for the help. DO NOT APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA. They'll wonder why you're applying for a visa and are likely/possible to turn you down. If they do, you're screwed. Apply for the ESTA. I would also make sure that any paperwork or anything to do with this B2 visa is withdraw before you apply for the ESTA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
systemx Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Mrs X went last year .Wish they hadnt let her out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sooperstar Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Just do the ESTA online, it's easy. Make sure you do it through the official link and not a 3rd party who will charge you a premium. Get the proper link through Tripadvisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Did this loads of times before I moved here mate. Best to have a return ticket when you travel, it saves a lot of hassle as I found out. As long as you have a valid ESTA, which is about $12-15 I think, and lasts 2 years, you'll be good to travel on the visa waiver programme. That gives you 3 months. Give me a shout if you have any questions. Happy to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 DO NOT APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA. They'll wonder why you're applying for a visa and are likely/possible to turn you down. If they do, you're screwed. Apply for the ESTA. I would also make sure that any paperwork or anything to do with this B2 visa is withdraw before you apply for the ESTA How do i withdraw that? It's been accepted, the ESTA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartsfc_fan Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Did this loads of times before I moved here mate. Best to have a return ticket when you travel, it saves a lot of hassle as I found out. As long as you have a valid ESTA, which is about $12-15 I think, and lasts 2 years, you'll be good to travel on the visa waiver programme. That gives you 3 months. Give me a shout if you have any questions. Happy to help. You might be able to advise - does your passport need to have at least 6 months to go before it expires to visit the US? Or not? Planning on going in April 2015 for around 10 days. My passport expires end of June 2015. Already have a valid ESTA as I went to the US in July 2013. I'm under the impression I'll be fine, but wanted to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Have i completely messed this up? Am i gonna get kb'd at the airport Surely it only begins to process once you've had that interview etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 How do i withdraw that? It's been accepted, the ESTA. Get back on to them as quick as possible to cancel it. Notoriously bad visas to apply for to be honest. They can be very suspicious over here, Newark being the absolute worst welcome I've ever had anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 You might be able to advise - does your passport need to have at least 6 months to go before it expires to visit the US? Or not? Planning on going in April 2015 for around 10 days. My passport expires end of June 2015. Already have a valid ESTA as I went to the US in July 2013. I'm under the impression I'll be fine, but wanted to check. I've found that really depends on airlines mate. Some are ok with it, others need more than 6 months. Personally I'd apply for a new passport. I'd leave nothing to chance. Maybe check with the airline you're using and ask their policy. It really is arbitrary when travelling here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peebo Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 You might be able to advise - does your passport need to have at least 6 months to go before it expires to visit the US? Or not? Planning on going in April 2015 for around 10 days. My passport expires end of June 2015. Already have a valid ESTA as I went to the US in July 2013. I'm under the impression I'll be fine, but wanted to check. I would renew your passport. Imminent passport expiration can see you denied entry, regardless of visa status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 You might be able to advise - does your passport need to have at least 6 months to go before it expires to visit the US? Or not? Planning on going in April 2015 for around 10 days. My passport expires end of June 2015. Already have a valid ESTA as I went to the US in July 2013. I'm under the impression I'll be fine, but wanted to check. http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/destination/international/passport.aspx Quoted here as saying you need 6 months clear on your passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Get back on to them as quick as possible to cancel it. Notoriously bad visas to apply for to be honest. They can be very suspicious over here, Newark being the absolute worst welcome I've ever had anywhere. **** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartsfc_fan Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks. Better safe than sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Panicking now. Hope i can get this sorted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Panicking now. Hope i can get this sorted You'll be good mate. You can have a visa accepted but decide not to travel on it. That's Absolutely fine to do. Return tickets, valid ESTA, at least a year left on your passport, that's all you'll need. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester™ Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Panicking now. Hope i can get this sorted Strip search at the airport. NAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronJambo Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 You might be able to advise - does your passport need to have at least 6 months to go before it expires to visit the US? Or not? Planning on going in April 2015 for around 10 days. My passport expires end of June 2015. Already have a valid ESTA as I went to the US in July 2013. I'm under the impression I'll be fine, but wanted to check. Keep it simple then. Renew your passport at the start of February. The expiry of your new one will be ten years from the expiry on your old one (they do this up to 6 months) so you won't lose any time on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gordons Gloves Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 You'll be fine, unless you're planning on absconding and staying here the Esta is all you need and given the amount of UK tourists and people here on business it's always fine. The first 3 months I was here I was on the visa waiver and was only supposed to advise. That was 8 years ago mins! Nobody checks as long as you have a return ticket and you're not a criminal. As stated, renew your passport just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peebo Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 You'll be fine, unless you're planning on absconding and staying here the Esta is all you need and given the amount of UK tourists and people here on business it's always fine. The first 3 months I was here I was on the visa waiver and was only supposed to advise. That was 8 years ago mins! Nobody checks as long as you have a return ticket and you're not a criminal. As stated, renew your passport just to be safe. Re the nobody checks bit- I know all people who have all sorts of hassle with visas etc.. This can be upon entry, and seemingly innocent mistakes with immigration shit coming back to haunt you a while later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gordons Gloves Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Really? I've never had that with the visitors we've had or the colleagues that have come over. I was probably being too generalistic to be fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaganator Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Really? I've never had that with the visitors we've had or the colleagues that have come over. I was probably being too generalistic to be fair. I was accused of being a 'permanent visitor' last time I went because is been there 3 times in the last 8 months. That was on the ESTA. I'm now on some sort of watch list. Just booked a weekend there in October for a wedding and slightly concerned about getting KB'd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 You don't need 6 months on your passport when you return. The US and UK have a reciprocal arrangement that states its OK. Source: me travelling to US in April 2013 with a passport that ran out September 2013. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I was accused of being a 'permanent visitor' last time I went because is been there 3 times in the last 8 months. That was on the ESTA. I'm now on some sort of watch list. Just booked a weekend there in October for a wedding and slightly concerned about getting KB'd I used the ESTA almost continuously for 2 years (leaving for about a week every 90 days). Never once got questioned. Got a nice shiny H1B visa last month though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I've never got a visa going to the states unless I've had to get a work visa. That was a pain in the arse though as I had to have a special interview and pay the UK police for a form stating I had no current criminal record sue to a bit of business involving the police a while back. And when I say a while I mean 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groot Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Panicking now. Hope i can get this sorted You'll be fine, you'll probably have an American security officer having a good rummage around in your arse Apart from that you're golden! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Phamism Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I travel up to 10 times a year to the US and only ever use ESTA. I was told to apply for a visa a few years back by an immigration officer, but didn't bother. I now have Global Entry - (had to go through the usual checks and interviews), which means I can skip the tourist lines at my point of entry. I am also TSA approved for internal flights and don't have to remove shoes, laptop or empty pockets, etc. I was given TSA approval, and invited to join the GE program through my membership of the United FF scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 You don't need 6 months on your passport when you return. The US and UK have a reciprocal arrangement that states its OK. Source: me travelling to US in April 2013 with a passport that ran out September 2013. Many/most countries require you to have a passport valid beyond the length of time you're allowed to stay in the country. So if you're allowed to stay three months, and you only have two months left on your passport, that would normally be a problem, because they don't want to deal with you being stuck there without a passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnePaulHartley Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 taken from the us embassy website here http://london.usembassy.gov/faq-passports.html#niv200 I understand that my passport needs to be valid for at least six months; is this correct? The requirement that a passport is valid for travel for six months beyond the holder's stay in the United States is waived for certain nationalities, including British Citizens. Please follow this link for further information. If you are traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program and your passport is not valid for 90 days, you will be admitted until the date on which the passport expires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Got it all sorted. The application only becomes 'live' when you go for interview etc. No bum fondling for me What are the airports like when you get there? Most likely be flying into JFK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peebo Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Got it all sorted. The application only becomes 'live' when you go for interview etc. No bum fondling for me What are the airports like when you get there? Most likely be flying into JFK It once took me 4 hours to get through immigration and customs at JFK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 4 hours? I'm guessing it's an airport that never sleeps so to speak. In that there's no quiet periods? Gonna aim to get in about 10 PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peebo Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 4 hours? I'm guessing it's an airport that never sleeps so to speak. In that there's no quiet periods? Gonna aim to get in about 10 PM. Depends. Have had very long waits at other airports, and it can feel like a bit of a lottery. Although it basically comes down to how many staff are working (10pm probably a shite time for that!) and how many other flights have just landed- and where from (you don't want to land at same time as flights from places which prompt more scrutiny, such as Central America or the Middle East). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac_fae_Gillie Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 ONE WORD OF WARNING US customs take forever.........if you got a connecting flight expect delays at point of entry as you pass immigration at large hub airport 3hours is normal.. and they got no sense of humour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I tend to try and fly through Dublin as you do the US immigration there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Phamism Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I almost always use Newark as my entry point and the worst wait I have had is less than 1 hour. This was when arriving at the same time as flights from Paris, London. Manchester, Cardiff and Belfast. As Peebo says, expect more scrutiny when arriving at the same time as flights from Middle East and Africa. The US office of homeland security have no problem in being racist particularly thorough towards those not perceived to be 'friends of the west' JFK can be touch and go, depending on whioch airline, and which terminal, you arrive into. The late night transfer to Manhattan is easy though, at about 30 mins. I have waited a lot longer at San Francisco when arriving alongside many flights from Asia and South America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaganator Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 4 hours? I'm guessing it's an airport that never sleeps so to speak. In that there's no quiet periods? Gonna aim to get in about 10 PM. When you check in online get a seat as near to the exit door as possible. When you get off scamper to the queue - when you are doing this - keep in mind that every person you overtake in this part of the journey is a person who at a minimum will hold you up by 3-5 mins if you don't get past them. Don't run though - just a fast walk. In terms of busy periods - you may get lucky - you may not. If there are 3 or 4 plans arriving at a similar time as yours then expect the worst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartsfc_fan Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Took me the best part of 2 hours to get through customs at Houston last year. Everyone in front of me in the queue seemed to have difficultly getting through. One lad got a proper grilling from the officer on the desk for not filling in his form properly. I stepped up. Smiled. He saw I was from Scotland. Let me through after about 20 seconds of informal chit chat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Fredrickson Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Only been to America once and flew into Orlando International. We were the only flight - arriving at about 6.30pm and we had about an hours wait as we were slow off the plane. The Security staff were very professional but nice with it. Dont give them cheek, dont try to be funny and make sure the form you fill in on the plane is accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest C00l K1d Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Cheers for all info. First time ill be flying alone so bit nervous. Normally have my bird to keep me right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Took me the best part of 2 hours to get through customs at Houston last year. Everyone in front of me in the queue seemed to have difficultly getting through. One lad got a proper grilling from the officer on the desk for not filling in his form properly. I stepped up. Smiled. He saw I was from Scotland. Let me through after about 20 seconds of informal chit chat I'm in and out Houston every few months. Strange place. Been straight through in under 10 mins, been stuck for 3-4 hours. Just depends on what time of day you get there. They do have a strange method of opening and closing customs desks when it's busy for no apparent reason though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Draper Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I tend to try and fly through Dublin as you do the US immigration there. I'd recommend this too - you get it out of the way and can sit back and enjoy your flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peebo Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I'm in and out Houston every few months. Strange place. Been straight through in under 10 mins, been stuck for 3-4 hours. Just depends on what time of day you get there. They do have a strange method of opening and closing customs desks when it's busy for no apparent reason though... Yup. Seemingly random at times. And since I've had a green card, the residents line seems to take longer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaganator Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Yup. Seemingly random at times. And since I've had a green card, the residents line seems to take longer... I quite regularly get through customs quicker than my bird who is in the US citizens line in Boston. Luck of the draw though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CostaJambo Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Yup. Seemingly random at times. And since I've had a green card, the residents line seems to take longer... Are you in Oil & Gas Peebo? We have some equipment stored in Houston which I am trying to sell if you are interested, can send you details if you PM me an email address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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