DP has booked flights to US on Thurs - no visa sorted. Is he screwed?!

[ThisCharmingFlan]

File under "numpty"...

A couple of months ago DP booked flights to travel on his own to a friend's wedding in the US. He flies this Thursday. This evening, I suddenly remember that the requirements have changed (a while ago I believe, never affected me as I've never been!) and the UK is not under the visa waiver programme anymore.

Cue frantic visit to the US Embassy site which keeps ruddy crashing , but I'm gleaning that he now needs to go to the Embassy in person, and indeed would have needed to apply for an appointment to do this waaaayy in advance.

Oh dear.

Stupid question alert, but am I right in thinking that he needs to go to London even for a non-immigrant visa for a 5-day tourist visit?

To your knowledge, how helpful are they at dealing with last-minute cases like DP?

thanks..

Since when are we not in the visa waiver programme? Are you sure?

really ? News to me...

Dont think so - just needs to fill in application on line here

AttillatheMeerkat is the expert on this though - hopefully she will see this thread

is he a british national holding a british passport? then he just needs to fill in an online form and its all done.

We are in the visa waiver program - I'll try and find the link (it's just a form but it has to be filled in)

a glimmer of hope that I've got the wrong end of the stick?

Ok - won't bother - Geordieminx beat me to it

FILL IT IN NOW!!!

this suggests it is much easier than the OP implies?

Dh went to San Fransisco two weeks ago and went through without a US Visa - you have to fill in a green form as long as you have a UK passport. He says there's a possibility you might need a recent e-passport though (the one with the biometric stuff in it)

You want ESTA not US Embassy btw

Think it's called an ESTA and just needs to be submitted before you check in. You should have enough time I think.

You need to prove that you are eligible for Visa waiver by filling in the online form Geordie has provided link to

"The passport must have a machine-readable zone." - i.e one of the newer passports/e-passport.

and

PHEW!

thank you everyone.

File ME under "numpty"

thank god for this thread, DH and I fly out on Thurs!!!

He needs to fill out the form in georgies link..and when he gets to the UK airport he has to give an address of where he will be staying in the US. A random hotel is fine, but he needs to put something or the wont let him out of the UK.

Hi,

Have just seen your question.

Do not panic!.

The UK is still within the US visa waiver scheme (these forms will be given to him on the plane. He will need to complete the green visa waiver form and a customs form).
He must ensure that when he departs the US the departure record (part of the green form will be stapled into his passport) is removed from his passport. This is normally done at check in.

What he does need to fill in online now is the ESTA which is the electronic travel authorisation. This needs to be done by your partner asap as it is a mandatory requirement.

Your partner must have his accommdation arranged for the first night - this is now insisted on by the American authorities.

ESTA is this web address:-

esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

He must NOT use any other ESTA travel website, this is the official US govt one. It is free to apply.

Unless, of course, he has a conviction (inc spent ones) for anything e.g. speeding [hard stare at own dh]

Told you Atilla was the woman.

Speeding is OK as it is not a crime of moral turpitude - what the hell are crimes of moral turpitude - see here

Speeding isn't ok if it results in a conviction ... we've been through the process in the last three weeks so know the cost ...