Security Checks for America

[pestguard1]

Just to let you all know that if you plan to go on holiday to USA ....................and have any sort of criminal record....(no mater how long ago it was ) ......you now have to declare before you travel , or if not your holiday can be cancelled at the last minute .
I have a freind who is going in DECEMBER ..............YES DECEMBER this year , and he now has to go to the London American embassy with proof of his conviction from local police (over 30 years ogo for fighting ).....just to see if he can still visit the country for a holiday ..........now when he gets to the London US embassy ,........their is no appointment system.....he just has to wait to be seen .........................it could take all day so he`s been told.
My freind has been visiting USA for the past 10 years , and only filling out the GREEN form on the plain ................................NOT ANY MORE........................you have to have your visa stamp in your passport before you travel.

This is all because of the bomb threats .................:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_req.html

[Sussex Schumacher]

Bad :thumbdown but better than getting yourself blown up into a thousand pieces i suppose :blink:

[wrasse boy]

thats unlucky for him hope he can still go . the embasy lol hope there one is better than the one in russia for the uk (long story lol )

[Devon_fisher]

tell the story, u no u want to!

[Interfisher]

Just to let you all know that if you plan to go on holiday to USA ....................and have any sort of criminal record....(no mater how long ago it was ) ......you now have to declare before you travel , or if not your holiday can be cancelled at the last minute .
I have a freind who is going in DECEMBER ..............YES DECEMBER this year , and he now has to go to the London American embassy with proof of his conviction from local police (over 30 years ogo for fighting ).....just to see if he can still visit the country for a holiday ..........now when he gets to the London US embassy ,........their is no appointment system.....he just has to wait to be seen .........................it could take all day so he`s been told.
My freind has been visiting USA for the past 10 years , and only filling out the GREEN form on the plain ................................NOT ANY MORE........................you have to have your visa stamp in your passport before you travel.

This is all because of the bomb threats .................:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

The above is only patly true, I know plenty people that have been in recent months without a visa stamp. If you have let your passport expire or have a non-machine readable passport then you will need to go to london and get a visa. If your passport has a barcode on in your fine, your just fill in the green form on plane. Do a bit of research and you will find out, although i totally agree how bad it has gotten having to go to london to get a visa for a petty thing that happened years ago.

[PanamaJack]

Thanks for that clarification Interfisher. I suspected that would have been the case and the problem was that of that past conviction - I recall there's a question to that effect on the back of the existing 'green', visa waiver form.

Certainly the iris scanning and registering the index finger didn't seem to take too long. Although I understand, later this year, they're talking about recording imprints of all ten fingers!

[Chris]

totally true what pestguard says as i also would have to go to london embassy,wife want to go to see her mate that moved there 20 odd years ago,but we have been told that i would have to go for an interview at the american embassy and nowt to do with passports running out as mine still have 7 years to run,but i aint botherd as i did not want to go to the over rated place anyways. now canada different matter.

oh forgot to mention her mate has had to take a shooting course and carry,s a fire arm for self protection.
great country ----not

[pestguard1]

The above is only patly true, I know plenty people that have been in recent months without a visa stamp. If you have let your passport expire or have a non-machine readable passport then you will need to go to london and get a visa. If your passport has a barcode on in your fine, your just fill in the green form on plane. Do a bit of research and you will find out, although i totally agree how bad it has gotten having to go to london to get a visa for a petty thing that happened years ago.


Not partley true ................it`s now factualy true ...................my friend has a valid passport with bar code......that`s valid for the next 7 years .......he visits USA every year ......as for filling out back of green form ........................this is no longer available......................YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TRAVEL VISA BEFORE YOU TRAVEL NOW , and in some cases pay a visit to US embassy in London .
My friend has just been told by Scotland Yard that he will have to go to London US embassy for a interview , if he still plans to visit USA for holiday.
His so called criminal record (fighting when he was a young kid ) is over 31 years old ............yet he still has to declare it before he can travel.
Please ...........if your going away on holiday and have a record of any sort .............get checked out before you travel ................................YOU COULD LOSE YOUR HOLIDAY.

Please look at this web thread for information regarding visa ...........

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_req.html

[PanamaJack]

Um....Brian
I'm slightly worried if what your friend's telling you is true because it certainly doesn't tally with the information to tourists currently appearing on the American Embassy's web site - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/rctour.html. As I read it they'll still taking about tourists requiring a machine readable passport, return ticket (e-ticket documentation is acceptable) and having to complete the (Green) Visa Waiver form.

Is that something you can check please? I for one am off to the 'States - fishing of course - in just over 5 weeks and would hate to have problems at Heathrow.
Many Thanks
Dave

[pestguard1]

Basicaly it means that if you have a criminal conviction ,........even if it is a spent conviction ,.. you cannot travel as VWP ......(visa free)you have to have a travel visa BEFORE you travel ............................if you dont and get to USA .....you could be denied entry into country and turned back.
Please read this thread.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_req.html

[pestguard1]

Um....Brian
I'm slightly worried if what your friend's telling you is true because it certainly doesn't tally with the information to tourists currently appearing on the American Embassy's web site - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/rctour.html. As I read it they'll still taking about tourists requiring a machine readable passport, return ticket (e-ticket documentation is acceptable) and having to complete the (Green) Visa Waiver form.

Is that something you can check please? I for one am off to the 'States - fishing of course - in just over 5 weeks and would hate to have problems at Heathrow.
Many Thanks
Dave



This is quote from a page on the address you put up as a link Dave..........


................Important: Some travelers may not be eligible to enter the United States visa free under the VWP. These include people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses, those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the VWP. Such travelers must apply for special restricted visas. If they attempt to travel without a visa, they may be refused entry into the United States.

[lockstock]

Basicaly it means that if you have a criminal conviction ,........even if it is a spent conviction ,.. you cannot travel as VWP ......(visa free)you have to have a travel visa BEFORE you travel ............................if you dont and get to USA .....you could be denied entry into country and turned back.
Please read this thread.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_req.html

Yikes - would drink driving (20 years ago!) be covered by this?

[pestguard1]

Yikes - would drink driving (20 years ago!) be covered by this?

I think your safe m8...............

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/arrests_and_convictions.html

[pestguard1]

Just a update on the security checks for traveling to USA.

My freind has now got his visa (for the next 10 years )..but not with out trouble.


1st ..........he had to get a form from US embassy to fill in (downloaded from internet )

2nd ...... he hade to pay embassy £63 for the appointment

3rd....... he received appointment from Glasgow office to attend interview................in BELFAST ......no appointments available in London .

4th ........book a flight to Belfast...........£65.00

5th ........his appointment was for 8.45am.....only flight available from Leeds /Bradford............ was the day before.


6th ....travel to Leeds/Bradford airport .............£30 petrol there and back


7th.......book accomodation to stay over night .........£55.00

8th ...get Taxi to US embassy ..........

................his appointment lasted all of 6 minutes.............


in all it has cost him in exsess of £235 on top of his holidays ......................just to get into USA..........yet he`s been going state side for the past 12 years or so .............


all because he got caught fighting ...............................27 years ago.

[smoothound56]

Basicaly it means that if you have a criminal conviction ,........even if it is a spent conviction ,.. you cannot travel as VWP ......(visa free)you have to have a travel visa BEFORE you travel ............................if you dont and get to USA .....you could be denied entry into country and turned back.
Please read this thread.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_req.html

OMG !! i am off in 5 weeks and have a record of one offence some 10 years ago think i may have to make a visit to london

[smoothound56]

just found this link to a visa wizard on us embassy site, clearly any conviction apart from minor motoring offences means you have to apply for a visa

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html

[Lugulator]

Im off to hawaii in march....I have a few minor convictions behind me but have heard that if you apply for a new british passport (issued after 2005), they come with visas in them.

Therefore no need to go through the embassy hassle. Anyone else heard of this?

[gulp me drug]

Anybody with my real name has major difficulty getting into the land of the free. Not my fault, Guv. Well actually it might be:)

[biggysmalls]

your surname wouldnt be Bin Laden would it ?

[gulp me drug]

your surname wouldnt be Bin Laden would it ?

:laugh: Gulpy Bin Laden......or better Bin Me Drug!

[captin]

:fishing::cc_surren:cc_surren:cc_surren:rtfm::rtfm ::bye2:

[PanamaJack]

Just something you need to be aware of if you travelling to, or transiting through, the 'States and not in possession of a full Visa.

Further details and the on line application can be obtained through this web page - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/esta.html.


From Monday (12 January 2009), UK nationals will need to complete an electronic authorisation form 72-hours before they fly, which has to be approved by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Travellers do not have to specify exactly when they are travelling and the electronic authorisation lasts for two years.

It applies to all travellers using the Visa Waiver Program, which allows British passport holders who intend to stay in America for less than 90 days to enter the country without a visa.

The scheme, known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), had been voluntary since it was first introduced in August last year. Previously, travellers would fill out a paper form during their flight an option which is being dispensed with on Monday.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “From January 12, thousands of Britons could potentially be turned away by immigration at US airports if they fail to register on ESTA 72 hours prior to their departure.

“British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home.
“This may affect a wide range of British nationals and the Foreign Office is particularly concerned that people who may not have heard of ESTA and booked their trip before enforcement of the new rule may be caught out.”

[anotherblankday!]

Just something you need to be aware of if you travelling to, or transiting through, the 'States and not in possession of a full Visa.

Further details and the on line application can be obtained through this web page - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/esta.html.




Boy am i glad im a member of this site, just found this post and read it with interest, got a flight going to florida in the morning so straight onto the airline and they confirmed that if you do not have this new esta in place then dont bother turning up as you will NOT be allowed to fly, mad dash to get registered and now waiting for email confirmation.

Just wanted to say thankyou to everyone, had no idea about this, have travelled to usa numerous times so thought it would just be a formality.
Rob.

[CrackersUK]

I am going to Florida Keys in Jan 2010 and have already completed the

ESTA online.

But it was news to me that you had to have it in place before you go.

[Cascars]

I just came across this thread and as I am off to Hawaii next month have completed the ESTA, although I have not needed it before when in transit through a US airport. Better safe than sorry though:rtfm:

[Alan - Brighton]

A word of warning gents!!!

I booked to fly to Florida with my fiance in Feb.

Filled out the ESTA and because I was slightly naughty 20 years ago it was rejected.

Had to phone the embassy (£1.20 per min), pay $131 for an interview, apply for a police report (£75) and schedule an interview. All this is taking time I thought but with 3 weeks to go I should be fine.

Wrong! Had the interview yesterday (dont take anythig electrical even your car key fob) and got refused until I can pass a medical (£200).
This will now take 14 - 16 weeks and it still may not get through.

Before anyone says that it's all my own fault - yes maybe it is but hopefully this can save someone from making the same mistake.

Allow yourself at least 4 months if you are going to admit to anything less than a perfect past and maybe you won't throw away 2 grand like I just have!

Al.

[Cascars]

Ouch! Sorry to hear that Alan. A mate of mine (and member on here) had the same problem last year, meaning he had to let his wife go to the states with their little boy for 3 weeks, without him.
I had a conviction 10 years or so ago for Possession of an offensive weapon (CS Spray, and a long story) for which I got a conditional discharge. I did not mention it on my ESTA application but I got passed anyway. I have also travelled via a few US airports since with no problems.
You may have just been unlucky, but I hope you can get at least some of your money back:unsure:

[Alan - Brighton]

I'm told that I should have just lied on the ESTA form, but knowing my luck I would have been turned back when I got there!

Managed to get some cash back on the villa but still trying to do something with the flights. Ironically they will swap them for another flight but it has to be to the states!!!
So will have to carry on with the fight for a visa, not that I really fancy going over there now!

[CrackersUK]

Just returned from The Keys,

Had ESTA in place well before departure, went back in and added flight details and where I was staying.

Great, all sorted, Well No, had to fill in 2 forms on the plane before arrival, 1st form was basically a duplicate of the ESTA, 2nd was Customs.
So what was the point of the ESTA I ask myself?

And keep your tempers in check, the greeting on arrival was as close to hostile as you can get, in my sons words "quite daunting", I was also a bit worried of indiscretions in my teens(many years ago) but was allowed in and no mention of aforesaid indiscretions.
And departure is no better, a lot of shouting instructions and woe betide you if you don't get it all right.

[fishysteve]

Just returned from The Keys,

Had ESTA in place well before departure, went back in and added flight details and where I was staying.

Great, all sorted, Well No, had to fill in 2 forms on the plane before arrival, 1st form was basically a duplicate of the ESTA, 2nd was Customs.
So what was the point of the ESTA I ask myself?

And keep your tempers in check, the greeting on arrival was as close to hostile as you can get, in my sons words "quite daunting", I was also a bit worried of indiscretions in my teens(many years ago) but was allowed in and no mention of aforesaid indiscretions.
And departure is no better, a lot of shouting instructions and woe betide you if you don't get it all right.

had exactly the same problem last year on the way to belize, had the esta filled in online before we got there got to the desk and they said yes we can see you filled one out online but they are no good got sent to the back of the line to fill a paper one in !

and they lost all my fishing gear as well so spent the first 5 days in a pair of my mates shorts useing borrowed fishing gear, the woman on the lost luggage lied by saying my gear was already in belize then ingnored me and left the counter.

i wont be traveling through any american airports on the way to a fishing holiday again, the people in newyork and miami airports were the most unhelpfull and rude people i have ever met !

[jonnyp]

afreind of mine was turned back from getting on flight to NY just a week ago. She was travelling on an Italian passport which was fairly recent but not one of the digital ones required. She had a frantic day getting a reissue - cost her and daughter £750 and lost them a day of their trip!!

[lagachette]

All US visitors must have a recent and digital passport + an approved waiver -->> https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c2B0F371B-888A-2E6F-4404-AB06AD740076_k8E1EE65E-05FD-CC1E-764D-72AEA294E0F6

Shame your friend didn't know before travelling . . .

[Cascars]

I never got asked for the ESTA that I had previously completed and taken with me. I also had to fill in various forms on the plane and at Immigration, the same as before filling in the ESTA.
Never mind, at least I still got to Hawaii, where I am sitting at the moment trying to ignore the pain of the sunburn:doh:

[Alan - Brighton]

That's good to hear Terry....personally I will now not bother going anywhere near the states as all this left a bitter taste...sod em.

[CrackersUK]

Well as they let me in this year I am booked to go back to the Keys next

January, at least I know what to expect now.