visas for USA

[nannakath]

My daughter is going to the states for three weeks and says that when she went four years ago she didn`t need a visa. Her passport was reissued in 2005 and has a `readable strip` I think it`s called. Her husband is American domiciled in Britain so he has an American passport still. Is she correct in saying that she doesn`t require a visa? She has filled in a form which she she has to hand in on arrival and departure and was chargeable. I recall being handed such a form whilst on the plane so I guess that is the same thing but I can`t remember if I needed a visa for a short stay.

[Buenchico]

The old forms have been replaced by the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

Anyone who is eligible for entry into the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (which, for UK citizens, basically means that they've never been arrested or convicted of a criminal offence), now has to obtain an 'ESTA' online prior to travelling. It was originally free but (since 8th September last year) the US authorities now charge a $14 fee.

There are plenty of 'rip off' sites which charge you their own (often hefty) 'administration fee' to forward the information to the official website. So it's only that official website that your daughter should use to obtain her ESTA from:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Your daughter's passport should qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. If in doubt see here:
http://london.usembassy.gov/mrp_bio.html

Chris

[nannakath]

Many thanks Buenchico. She has done the ESTA for herself and child so that must be all O.K. now. Very kind of you to reply so quickly.

[dzug2]

All British passports meet the US requirements for the visa waiver scheme

There was a time when passports issued in some Embassies didn't but I believe they have all long expired.