Greeting fellow Brits
#46
Back where I belong!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
Posts: 5,989
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Souhampton Brit
Everything has changed now. As of October 2005 ALL visiting US from the UK have to have an official visa...it costs around 60 pounds each and takes afew months to get as well. What a pain in the you know what. I can't believe our alies have to get visa's now. That will cut down on the amount of vacationers.
#47
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Partystar
I don't know who told you that, but it's not true. My mum & her friends just came over in January & didn't need any such thing. I'm pretty sure we would have heard of this anyway.
Quite right - as mentioned previously - utter bollox!
Maybe its Mongo back dicking around?
#48
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Partystar
I don't know who told you that, but it's not true. My mum & her friends just came over in January & didn't need any such thing. I'm pretty sure we would have heard of this anyway.
I believe - but Bob will know - that if the passport doesn't contain biometrics you have to have a proper visa, even for UKCs.
Here's an old link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3378057.stm
#49
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
I think it depends on the type of passport - new law after 9/11.
I believe - but Bob will know - that if the passport doesn't contain biometrics you have to have a proper visa, even for UKCs.
Here's an old link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3378057.stm
I believe - but Bob will know - that if the passport doesn't contain biometrics you have to have a proper visa, even for UKCs.
Here's an old link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3378057.stm
The biometric stuff is on hold for a while
#50
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by BigDavyG
I think it needs to be machine readable.
The biometric stuff is on hold for a while
The biometric stuff is on hold for a while
....and they have been machine readable for years havent they?
#51
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,542
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Big D
....and they have been machine readable for years havent they?
The US Senate announced on 15 June 2005 a one-year extension (to 26 October 2006) to their requirement for biometric passports. This means that the digital passports that we currently issue (machine-readable, with a digital image) will continue to meet the criteria of the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and most British Citizens will not require a US visa.
#52
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Big D
....and they have been machine readable for years havent they?
#53
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Bradford Lass
Do I need a Biometric Passport to enter the US?
The US Senate announced on 15 June 2005 a one-year extension (to 26 October 2006) to their requirement for biometric passports. This means that the digital passports that we currently issue (machine-readable, with a digital image) will continue to meet the criteria of the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and most British Citizens will not require a US visa.
The US Senate announced on 15 June 2005 a one-year extension (to 26 October 2006) to their requirement for biometric passports. This means that the digital passports that we currently issue (machine-readable, with a digital image) will continue to meet the criteria of the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and most British Citizens will not require a US visa.
#54
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,542
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by BigDavyG
Yep - hence most people don't need a visa
UK has been issuing digital passports since 1998.
This means that:
British citizens with machine-readable passports containing a digital photo image will not require a visa to visit the USA because they meet the criteria of the 26 October 2005 VWP deadline.
British citizens with machine-readable passports but without a digital photo will still be able to visit the USA visa free as their passport was issued before the 26 October 2005 deadline.
British citizens without a machine-readable passport must obtain a machine-readable passport or apply for a US visa before visiting the USA.
#55
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Big D
....and they have been machine readable for years havent they?
#56
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Souhampton Brit
Everything has changed now. As of October 2005 ALL visiting US from the UK have to have an official visa...it costs around 60 pounds each and takes afew months to get as well. What a pain in the you know what. I can't believe our alies have to get visa's now. That will cut down on the amount of vacationers.
#57
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Bradford Lass
and just so we are absolutely certain
UK has been issuing digital passports since 1998.
This means that:
British citizens with machine-readable passports containing a digital photo image will not require a visa to visit the USA because they meet the criteria of the 26 October 2005 VWP deadline.
British citizens with machine-readable passports but without a digital photo will still be able to visit the USA visa free as their passport was issued before the 26 October 2005 deadline.
British citizens without a machine-readable passport must obtain a machine-readable passport or apply for a US visa before visiting the USA.
UK has been issuing digital passports since 1998.
This means that:
British citizens with machine-readable passports containing a digital photo image will not require a visa to visit the USA because they meet the criteria of the 26 October 2005 VWP deadline.
British citizens with machine-readable passports but without a digital photo will still be able to visit the USA visa free as their passport was issued before the 26 October 2005 deadline.
British citizens without a machine-readable passport must obtain a machine-readable passport or apply for a US visa before visiting the USA.
#58
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by blaze
Sorry, this isn't true! I had family come out for Christmas with no problem what so ever!
#59
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by blaze
I'm presuming (I know, never presume!) that a green card will surfice.
#60
Re: Greeting fellow Brits
Originally Posted by Bob
not much good if your just a visiting guest like a friend or family member though