Travel to USA - what does a Brit need..?

Alan_Cross

... apart from his her passport, documentation-wise?

Any seasoned transatlantic travellers able to help on this one? Just a fortnight's tourism involved.

PeacefulWaters

An ESTA. Or a visa.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

A decent credit card or similar.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

Perhaps an explanation of where you're going and what you're doing would elicit more feedback.

Alan_Cross

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

An ESTA. Or a visa.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

A decent credit card or similar.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

Perhaps an explanation of where you're going and what you're doing would elicit more feedback.

Thanks. Is the ESTA thing reasonably straightforward? I assume the UK is one of the countries it covers..? Visiting family member in Chicago and seeing the city.

PeacefulWaters

Alan_Cross wrote: »

Thanks. Is the ESTA thing reasonably straightforward? I assume the UK is one of the countries it covers..? Visiting family member in Chicago and seeing the city.

ESTA takes a few minutes, costs $14 and is usually approved within 48 hours, often instantly. Answer the questions carefully. Yes, UK is on the list to use ESTA.

It's valid for two years from the date of issue. Screenshot the approval reference number.

If it's declined for any reason then you'll need to apply for a visa via the US embassy. Time and money!

peachyprice

Alan_Cross wrote: »

Thanks. Is the ESTA thing reasonably straightforward? I assume the UK is one of the countries it covers..? Visiting family member in Chicago and seeing the city.

Yes, it's an online tick box form with a few sections where you have have to give further details, usually with immediate confirmation that your application has been accepted. You can apply for an ESTA if you don't have a criminal record in the UK.

bobbyhibs

hi

anything in regards the esta, it is per person, so if the O.P is going with 1 other person the O.P will have to do one for themselfs and the oher person needs to get an esta as well.

what about travel insurance? u.s dollars? there are loads of info in regards getting the best dollar rates around the forums as well as best deals- what to look for in regards travel insurance too.

another idea is maybe make a list of things to do? and do some research , maybe there may be a show, a band/singer or something of intrest in and around Chicago when you are there.

Hope this helps

Murphy_The_Cat

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

A decent credit card or similar.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

.

& a decent credit limit. At $1.30 (ish) to the £, your money doesn't go far.

PompeyPete

You even need an ESTA to transit. All we did was fly from UK to Houston, and straight onto a flight to Nicaragua, and back.

Allow plenty of time if you've got connections.

tacpot12

I'd recommend taking two credit cards in case of problems with one of them.

bertiewhite

a sense of humour & lots of patience

Placitasgirl

Since 1 April 2016 you can only apply for an ESTA if you have a chipped passport, so do check that this is the case and if not you'll need to renew/replace your passport.

If your ESTA is declined for any reason you'll need to apply for a visa, which is not the quickest of processes. Do your ESTA applications right away as they're valid for 2 year from the date they're granted. That way you'll now whether you've cleared this hurdle or will need to apply for a visa.

When applying for your ESTAs do be sure that you use the correct website, which will only cost you $14. There are lots of websites which purport to be "official" ESTA sites, but they aren't and will charge you handsomely for the privilege of processing your application.

Here's a link to the official ESTA website:

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html