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Travelling to USA for a holiday
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19384		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  JohnSheridan [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Travelling to USA for a holiday
Has anyone done this from the UK?

I understand I need to get a visa from US Embassey and looks like you have to go down to London to be interviewed?

How hard was the process?
Author:  jonbwfc [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
JohnSheridan wrote:
Has anyone done this from the UK?
I understand I need to get a visa from US Embassey and looks like you have to go down to London to be interviewed?
How hard was the process?

A visa? For a holiday? Christ no. You don't need a visa for that. In fact the US has a long established Visa Waiver Program.

I've been to the US for holidays at least half a dozen times, last time was a couple of years ago. I've never bothered getting a visa.

Update - here ya go, according to British Airways you need


Quote:
Requirements for travelling on the VWP

You can travel for business, pleasure or transit only, and
stay in the US for less than 90 days, and
hold a confirmed return or onward ticket (or e-ticket receipt), and
you must obtain travel authorisation by completing the online ESTA form. We suggest you apply at least 72 hours before travel.

What documents do I need to travel on the VWP?

Each person travelling, including children must:

i) have an e-passport OR a Machine Readable Passport
ii) AND have obtained an approved ESTA.

If not, you will have to obtain a US visa before you travel.


If you've renewed your passports at all recently (I'd be really surprised if you didn't at least have a machine readable one), all you'll have to do is fill in an ESTA form online a clear week or so before you leave.
Author:  big_D [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 5:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
Yep, ESTA is all you need.

Check with you doctor about vaccinations, polio should be up to date, for example.
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
I got my ESTA in January. They cost around £60 and valid for 2 years. You get a quick response if you have been accepted or not.

Carolyn
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
big_D wrote:
Check with you doctor about vaccinations, polio should be up to date, for example.


Really? Never done that and I've been to the States many times.
Author:  JohnSheridan [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
Thanks for your replies :)

I'll get my passport sorted and then hopefully go and see my cousin over in Boston - a cousin, who until this year I didn't know I had!
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
JohnSheridan wrote:
Thanks for your replies :)

I'll get my passport sorted and then hopefully go and see my cousin over in Boston - a cousin, who until this year I didn't know I had!


Are you planning on going anywhere else? You should try and get to NY at least (3 hours away)
Author:  big_D [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
oceanicitl wrote:
big_D wrote:
Check with you doctor about vaccinations, polio should be up to date, for example.


Really? Never done that and I've been to the States many times.

I got my boosters at the end of last year, and they asked if I was going abroad. I said, that I was supposed to be going to America and the doctor said that I should also get polio.
Author:  hifidelity2 [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
big_D wrote:
oceanicitl wrote:
big_D wrote:
Check with you doctor about vaccinations, polio should be up to date, for example.


Really? Never done that and I've been to the States many times.

I got my boosters at the end of last year, and they asked if I was going abroad. I said, that I was supposed to be going to America and the doctor said that I should also get polio.

I have been to the US a few times in the past years and never worried about any vaccinations
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
hifidelity2 wrote:
I have been to the US a few times in the past years and never worried about any vaccinations


Must be a German thing then :)
Author:  jonbwfc [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
One thing - immigration is generally a trial. Both entering the US and returning to the UK (Heathrow T5 entry is incredibly shambolic). You are going to get off the plane and about the first hour you're going to be thinking 'jesus, why am I bothering going on holiday at all?' It doesn't last. It's pretty tedious at the time but just don't let it get to you.

Grin and bear it, answer the questions they ask you and get on with your holiday afterwards. You'll enjoy every minute of that.
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
jonbwfc wrote:
One thing - immigration is generally a trial. Both entering the US and returning to the UK (Heathrow T5 entry is incredibly shambolic). You are going to get off the plane and about the first hour you're going to be thinking 'jesus, why am I bothering going on holiday at all?' It doesn't last. It's pretty tedious at the time but just don't let it get to you.

Grin and bear it, answer the questions they ask you and get on with your holiday afterwards. You'll enjoy every minute of that.


I didn't have any problems either end and when I landed I was out of the airport pretty quickly. When did you travel?
Author:  jonbwfc [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
Last time I went brought the US was I think three years ago. The DoHS types were so unpleasant I vowed not to bother in future. I went through Heathrow T5 about two weeks ago and the queues were pretty crazy. That was late on a Friday.
Author:  l3v1ck [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
I think the last time I went they asked for proof I had a ticket out of America again.
I'd printed my e-ticket before I went for that very reason.
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Travelling to USA for a holiday
jonbwfc wrote:
Last time I went brought the US was I think three years ago. The DoHS types were so unpleasant I vowed not to bother in future. I went through Heathrow T5 about two weeks ago and the queues were pretty crazy. That was late on a Friday.


I went through on a Saturday and recently a Wednesday and Friday and no problems either time. Maybe you're just lucky :)
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