Passport Information

The current Visa Waiver Programme with the US ends on 11 January 2009.  The New Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (known as ESTA) will apply to all international guests from 12 January 2009. Once obtained this will last for 2 years. Please see US Visa Information below. WARNING  - Please be careful of the SCAM when applying for the new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. Websites have been set up, such as www.ESTA.us, which are charging you more than you need to pay by charging for a downloadable guide and for processing your application. Using the correct website www.usembassy.org.uk you will only be charged $14 per application. (The ESTA was free before 8 September 2010) Please note that if you have to renew your passport then you will have to apply for another ESTA and be charged again. Make sure you have a passport that will be valid for your holiday before applying to avoid additional costs.

All British passport holders will only be permitted to enter the US if they hold a machine readable passport. The majority of ' new style ' red British passports are machine readable, however those issued outside the UK may not be. A machine readable passport has the holder's personal details eg. name, date of birth, nationality and passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. Should your passport not be machine readable it will be necessary to either obtain a new passport or to obtain a US visa.

In addition to this requirement, family groups will be required to obtain individual passports for each person travelling, including all children and infants. Should you currently have children on your passport, it will be necessary to either obtain a new passport or to obtain a visa for the child in question.

Information on British passports is available from the British Passport Office :

 Tel. 0870 5210410
Web : www.passport.gov.uk
email : info@passport.gov.uk

US Visa Information

From 12 January 2009 the Visa Waiver Program is being replaced by the new
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. This is available on the US Embassy's website :

 www.usembassy.org.uk

Click on the box on the right hand side of the screen, called ' ESTA ' and follow the online instructions. The visa will then be sent through by email in approximately 72 hours.
Please note that this can take longer, so just in case there is a delay, I recommend that you allow 7 / 10 days for this to come through.  

NB. If anyone has any convictions (spent or otherwise), they will need to apply for a normal Visa  and will not be able to travel on the ESTA.

Please note same day visa applications are not possible in the UK. The process normally takes a minimum of 6 - 8 weeks and requires you to attend an interview at the US Embassy.

Information regarding the US visa policy and procedures can be found on :

 www.unitedstatesvisas.gov