Going to New York can you help with a few questions

[Doseydots]

Me and dh have booked to go to NYC in December. Despite being married 5 years, my passport and holiday has been booked in my maiden name and I will be applying for a visa in my maiden name. Would this cause any problems?

Also dh has a driving conviction over 20 years old, would this need declaring or cause delay in applying for the visa?

Thank you

Where are you and do you need a visa or an ESTA for the visa waiver scheme? Only use the official website or you'll get fleeced by a third party charging more than the $14 fee.

Providing your name is consistent across your passport and booking, it doesn't matter. I don't a driving offence will be an issue, but it depends what it was. Speeding with points is very different from other offences.

Doubt - not don't

It’s an ESTA I am applying for. I will check the official site as most of the sites look official, thank you.

Get on the ESTA visa now. Your husband is quite likely to be denied entry and you need to find that out now before it’s too late. Get travel insurance first and then apply for the ESTA. Depending on the level of insurance you may be able to get the trip refunded in case his visa is denied.

I say this because I’m American and my UK husband and I got married in NYC earlier this year. One of his male cousins and the wife were meant to go over but the cousin had a conviction from 20 years ago and was denied. It was literally something minor like a bar fight which he served community service for and that’s it. He’s never even had as much as a parking since then or before the incident. The US government still denied him. We were all tremendously upset and angry about it. The decision was held up by the stupid US government shut down as well over December and January. We didn’t find out until February and our wedding was in April.

Oh wow now I really am worried. It was literally a fine and points on his license. I already have insurance and I will speak to travel agent on Monday.

Looking at your post again and seeing it’s a driving offence. It may not be as serious as a bar fight but I’d definitely get on it soon. The US government is looking for any reason to deny people entry at this point, even for silly reasons.

Went to New York 2 years ago and my husband got through fine and he had previously been banned from driving (accumulation of speeding points - which thankfully taught him a lesson) I think you will be fine 👍🏻

My friend had a driving conviction with arrest and a ban 25 years ago but got the esta. Scary waiting though we wasn't sure it would go through. I'd try it online will tell you then.

I have never said yes to the key question on the ESTA form & I have had several minor driving “convictions” (passed test in 1972)

Imagine how many UK citizens would have to go through the visa process if a speeding fine barred them from getting an ESTA - the US embassy would never be able to process them all!

This is an enlightening read & includes a link to the correct official US govt application page

www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa/

You will not be denied entry for a speeding fine or points on your licence . I think you will find the form excludes these items.

Went to NYC last January and had no problem traveling under my maiden name. Just make sure everything is booked under the same name. You'll need an ESTA, like PP has said be careful you don't get caught out by going on an unofficial esta site. It's only $14 on the official site.

I took a copy on my marriage certificate just to be on the safe side but didn't need it.

Thank you so much for your replies is a big help.

Any other tips you could give me, where to visit, eat or shop. We are going in December so we can do some Christmas shopping

So...if someone was travelling to NY and didn't declare they had a criminal record, what would happen?

Look at tripadvisor, you are spoilt for choice with art galleries but it honestly depends what you like. I remember eating at the diner that’s mentioned in the Suzanne Vegas song, going to a jazz bar, a comedy club and taking part in a march for medi care but it was years ago. I’m in Chicago now for a family wedding. Personally I love eating out and just chatting to Americans and they do like to ask questions. I think something like 50% of Americans never leave the states and they do seem to love chatting to Brits.

As to shopping, twenty years ago I used to take a half empty suitcase, it is really not cheap anymore and the exchange rate is crap currently. We did buy DH a shirt and tie in Macy’s for 75 dollars in the sale. I bought two collectibles for a game I play that are unavailable in the UK, DS bought sweets for his GF that you cant buy in the UK. It’s good for stuff like that.

The only issue I had with my ESTA is that it wasn't automatically approved because I had to declare both my maiden and married names - same thing, haven't changed my passport. It wasn't an issue though, but don't panic if it isn't an instant response!

Are they ever accepted instantly? I thought it took a couple of days. I assumed they do a basic background check first & would probably pick up any serious convictions (prepared to be told that’s not so, but given how seriously they’ve always taken border security - certainly since 9/11, whatever Trump thinks - I’d be surprised!)

As it's your first time decide which of the tourist attractions you'd like to do.

-Empire State is great to do at night and then rockefeller centre during the day as you can then see Empire State

• Rockefeller Christmas tree
• Times Square
• Walk around Central Park
• walk the high line for a different view of the city
• Chelsea market
• 9/11 museum and memorial
• walk the Brooklyn bridge (might be weather dependent as we were advised not to when it was -11 as the water makes it even colder!
• Staten Island ferry (free way of seeing Statue of Liberty up close)
• Grand Central & the whispering corner

Just wrap up and walk around as much as you can rather than getting the subway.

We always go to Delmonicos in the financial district for a special meal as the food is incredible!

There's also a little bistro off Times Square called Saju Bistro which we love for breakfast. Jacks Wife Freda was great too.

@GiantKitten I've had a mixture of both. First was auto accepted, 2nd took a couple of hours

I did ESTAs for my kids a few months ago and they were approved within the hour, but I suspect they don't check criminal records for young kids.

Do it now so you can get a visa should it be needed.

Recommendations - staying in Brooklyn near Jay St/Metro Tech and adjacent stations is half the price of Manhattan yet only two stops on the F subway line. Also loads of clothes shops in the pedestrianised 'mall'. Get a Metrocard on arrival, and put 11 dollars on which is 4 trips - if you have baggage they will open a side gate for you to get in and usually not charge you.

Probably not an issue if flying direct, but avoid LaGuardia airport atm as construction means the buses that are the only way out can be stuck for hours. JFK is closer to Brooklyn than Manhattan, too.

The exchange rate isn't great so shopping isn't the bargain it was, but still good for clothes especially in plus sizes. Macy's sells quality stuff at discounts - I bought a suitcase there!

The Guggenheim is fab, but I don't have up to date other recs.

My previous ESTAs all went through instantly, which is why I was a bit worried when it took overnight the last time!