Passport to usa advice needed please.

Amys

You can take the risk, but if it ever comes out, then you will never be allowed in agian.

gk172

Thank you, it seems both adults will be fine, does the same apply to the new passports the kids will have as we need them renewed and will these be the biometric ones?

Need_More_Money_2

Also note that you must have a return ticket to use the visa waiver scheme (which I assume you will have, so should be ok).

I've just renewed my passport, but used the previous one (issued in 1997) to go to USA last year and it was fine, so yours should be ok

As far as I know, the only difference with the Visa Waiver scheme is that they give you the forms at the airport rather than on the plane. Still needed for new biometric passports.

PS - Anyone know how the antenna in the new passports will be used?

trets77

Visa waiver forms will be available at the airport and given to you at check in and on the plane if you lose the 1st one or make a mistake.

Don,t worry you will not have to ask for them or hunt around to get one..

your 2002 passports will be eligable under the program as will your kids new ones ( will be biometric).i assume they are normal UK ( ie not dual nationalty or anything) passports

You only need your address where you will be staying at for the first night in USA and your return tickets if thats how you will be leaving.

pompeyrich

It's a myth that your Passport has to be valid for longer than you intend to stay in the US, read the wording carefully HERE. Obviously the ops passport will be valid beyond his intended stay and it's probably better to have some time over in case of unforseen circumstances but no legal requirement.

gk172

Cheers my mind is at rest now, i knew there was something i just didnt know where it would come from but youve answered that - at the airport/flight so thats hunky dory and yes we do have return flights and i will need to remember to keep the address handy;)

Thank you all fdor being so helpfull:T

The_Lambton_Worm

mystic_trev wrote:

Oh yes they can! You've (obviously) been very lucky!

No they can't. Why do you think they're asking you to supply details? Its not rocket science.

i_love_it

The_Lambton_Worm wrote:

No they can't. Why do you think they're asking you to supply details? Its not rocket science.

You are wrong. They absolutely can.

Any immigration authority i the world can access these details from your machine readable passport. I'm unsure how far this dates back.

If you travel under the visa waiver system (ie just on your passport, filling out a green form on the plane) you may well get in. But if a random check is made you would be deported at your own expense and refused future entry to the USA.

If you have ever been arrested, even if not charged or convicted, you are required to obtain a visitors visa. This means a trip to london or belfast for an interview where you would declare such instances.

If you travel on visa waiver, there is a question on the form asking you to declare the same. if you do declare, you would be deported, if you don't, you may get in.

The risk is yours. I believe it is a small risk too. Convictions are not displayed automatically, I don't know what circumstances would prompt a check by immigration, but they can check.

All uk criminal data is stored in the USA


But, back to the Op.... assuming no criminal record, no, you don't need a visa and you can complete relavent paperwork on the plane

The_Lambton_Worm

i_love_it wrote:

You are wrong. They absolutely can.

Any immigration authority i the world can access these details from your machine readable passport. I'm unsure how far this dates back.

If you travel under the visa waiver system (ie just on your passport, filling out a green form on the plane) you may well get in. But if a random check is made you would be deported at your own expense and refused future entry to the USA.

If you have ever been arrested, even if not charged or convicted, you are required to obtain a visitors visa. This means a trip to london or belfast for an interview where you would declare such instances.

If you travel on visa waiver, there is a question on the form asking you to declare the same. if you do declare, you would be deported, if you don't, you may get in.

The risk is yours. I believe it is a small risk too. Convictions are not displayed automatically, I don't know what circumstances would prompt a check by immigration, but they can check.

All uk criminal data is stored in the USA


But, back to the Op.... assuming no criminal record, no, you don't need a visa and you can complete relavent paperwork on the plane

By you're naive. Who's been filling your head with all this crap?

The chips on passports only contain the same data that's on the other side. You know, the eye readable stuff next to your picture. They do not contain any other information about you.

The only way any country can get your personal details (in this case criminal) then they have to apply for them. Even then they have to have valid reason for doing so otherwise the Govt won't pass them on.

If all UK criminal data is stored in the US, why don't they send everyone back that has a record? I mean, surely if they're being so kind as to store it for us, they can access it?

One more thing, ever heard of the DPA (Data Protection Act)?

i_love_it

The_Lambton_Worm wrote:

By you're naive. Who's been filling your head with all this crap?

The chips on passports only contain the same data that's on the other side. You know, the eye readable stuff next to your picture. They do not contain any other information about you.

The only way any country can get your personal details (in this case criminal) then they have to apply for them. Even then they have to have valid reason for doing so otherwise the Govt won't pass them on.

If all UK criminal data is stored in the US, why don't they send everyone back that has a record? I mean, surely if they're being so kind as to store it for us, they can access it?

One more thing, ever heard of the DPA (Data Protection Act)?

Sure, i've heard of it, here's a quote from the uk embassey site regarding travel to the US

Please note that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law. If you attempt to travel without a visa, you may be refused entry into the United States at your personal expense.

Applicants who have been arrested or convicted are also subject to additional documentation and processing time.

I've first hand experience in this. I'm glad to have retained some niavety:rolleyes: But not in this area.