New regulations when travelling to the US

[Bigmac]

Here is a little info and some links for anyone wishing to travel to the US.

ABOUT TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION
A Travel Authorization can only be applied for by a citizen of a Visa Waiver country. Any other visitor must still apply for a B-1 Business Visa or B-2 Tourist Visa in advance. A Travel Authorization permits the U.S. visitor to travel to the United States by air or sea. The authorization is only related to "permission to travel to the United States". An approved Travel Authorization does not guarantee admission to the United States, but without it you may be denied boarding, encounter delays at the border and even deportation if you are not allowed to enter.

Applying for a Travel Authorization with false information can make you permanently ineligible to visit the United States.

You do not need to have an airline or hotel reservation to apply for a Travel Authorization. If you are planning a trip to the United States, it is recommended to apply for your Travel Authorization today. An approved Travel Authorization is not a visa and it does not guarantee entry to the United States. Note that if you travel to the United States but are denied entry, you will never be able to enter the United States on the Visa Waiver Program again.

Who needs to apply for a Travel Authorization?

• Any traveler that intends to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program [/*]
• Any traveler transiting through the United States under the Visa Waiver Program [/*]
• Any traveler also includes children and infants [/*]
• If you are denied a Travel Authorization, the visa application process can take several weeks or months [/*]

Travelers transiting through the United States must also possess an approved Travel Authorization after January 12, 2009
The Travel Authorization Application Guide explains how you, the Visa Waiver Traveler, can apply for your own Travel Authorization and update it for future visits to the United States. This is a new process as of August 1, 2008 and it is easy to make mistakes. The application guide includes detailed instructions and a work sheet for how to complete your own Travel Authorization application. For those that are not approved, instructions for how to apply for a US visitor visa (B-1 / B-2) are included.


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

 

[Baldspot]

Thanks for that Bigmac I'd heard that there was a new system but didn't know what it was.

 

[Bigmac]

Yea you have to do an online application now,otherwise you wont even leave the UK.

 

[myhair]

do you mean that europeans need an additioanal document on top of the passport? Where do they get that? at the us consulat or embassy?c;;9

 

[Bigmac]

I think its for anyone outside the US travelling there.

You need to apply online as well as having a current passport

Submit an ESTA application online >>

Hope that helps.

 

[bullitnut]

I might be wrong on this and if i am then im very sorry..... but i think that as well as doing this online you may still have to fill out the green visa waiver form too.
The reason im saying this is that when i was stood in line at customs at minnesota the guy infront of me told the customs officer he had applied online to which the officer replied you still need to fill out the waiver form. So unless this was just because it was before the 12th i dont know, what we need is for someone who goes to the us after the 12th to clear this up as it seems silly having to do both

 

[north country boy]

Yes i still had to fill in the green waiver form that was on the 24th jan 09

 

[Baldspot]

bullitnut / north country boy,

Where did you get the green waiver form from? Is this the one they used to give you to fill out on the plane?

baldspot

 

[north country boy]

Hi baldspot, you get given the green waiver form when you check in at the uk airport, keep it with your passport, NCB

 

[bullitnut]

hi baldspot your correct it is the form you used to get on the plane. My experience was different to ncb as i got mine on the plane so im guessing it depends on the airline and airport, i flew with north west airlines. Either way bud whether you get it at the uk airport like ncb or on the plane like me i wouldnt panick dude as if you mess up or dont get one they had plenty on the back wall in customs at minessota good luck bro

 

[Bigmac]

Make sure when you apply for your application it is on one of the links i have added in the first post as there are sites who will charge you to process this free of charge service.

Also when you apply and receive your reference number make sure you click next after the reference number is displayed.

bm.

 

[bullitnut]

hey guys i have a question for the uk patients who have travelled to the states in the last year.

I have completed the new online application and it says that it was successful ¬b`, but on the final page of the form it has an option to print*nl.....iv'e looked at all the help files and it doesn't state that i have to print this approval form so i was wandering if any of you guys did this?

 

[Bigmac]

No you don`t need to print it out as its all logged on the US computers. You still have to fill in the immigation forms on the plane (take a pen) and go through the usual customs procedure.

Good to hear you are allowed in and not on their most wanted list,unless its a trap.

 

[bullitnut]

thanks matey thats good then

 

[dazza uk]

I printed mine out, but didnt need to show it.

 

[bullitnut]

thanks dazzaZ:B

 

[mars]

Great thread very helpful

 

[Bigmac]

Pleased its helped you Mars,i heard that the US will be adding a charge for this service in the not to distant future.

 

[deckd19]

Good post.