Security Checks for America

**pestguard1** · 12-08-2006, 13:40

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 .................

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new...v/add_req.html

**Sussex Schumacher** · 12-08-2006, 13:47

Bad

but better than getting yourself blown up into a thousand pieces i suppose

**wrasse boy** · 12-08-2006, 17:53

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** · 12-08-2006, 21:58

tell the story, u no u want to!

**Interfisher** · 22-08-2006, 16:29

Originally Posted by 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 .................

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** · 22-08-2006, 16:53

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** · 22-08-2006, 17:46

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** · 24-08-2006, 15:14

Originally Posted by Interfisher

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...v/add_req.html

**PanamaJack** · 24-08-2006, 15:28

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** · 24-08-2006, 15:47

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...v/add_req.html