I think thats good, that you let all the kids know that, this information is not really known when you are younger, i certainley didnt have a clue anyway.. i suppose maybe some people will stop and think now, their actions can stop them from entering countrys when their older.. i guess some at a certain age wouldnt be bothered either, i guess its their choice but at least you have let them know there will be consequences to their actions.. good for you!!

Hi,some queries on this subject,maybe no one will know for sure but here goes...

first of all when it comes to convictions i've read on here that people have been handing in ACPO sheets,charge sheets,letters from the court at which they were dealt with etc,well i need a visa to enter the US due to my record(none of which is drugs,sex or murder i might add,and i've never been to prison) but the last time i went to court i was about 19/20,some 16 years ago and to a court that no longer exists and the last time i was arrested 'might' have been in about 1999 but then i'm not sure if i was actually arrested or just cautioned in the station as i was attending of my own free will to clear up a matter relating to my job as a doorman,for which no action was taken whatsoever,so how on earth do i provide court letters and charge sheets and all that old rubbish???

Secondly i don't have any concrete plans or dates to travel to the states but i do wish to do so in the next year or 2 but don't want to do so until i know i can sort the visa out,can you just apply for this 10 year visa without any firm plans so as when the time comes to look for a holiday you can do so knowing you're all above board already?

and thirdly does anyone have any actual figures on the costs involved from start to finish etc?

cheers in advance

An article in the travel section of this weekend's Sunday Times says that the green form will be phased out by the end of this Summer although we shall still have to fill in the customs declaration on entry to the USA. The article also said that the US would be introducing a charge for the ESTA probably by SEptember this year. No figure has been fixed yet but it was suggested it would be $10 plus and admin charge!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article7123827.ece

You need to have a trip in mind to apply (or own a property there or similar). It's normally acceptable for the trip later to fall through - it doesn't invalidate the visa

There's the possibility that with your record they won't grant a 10 year one anyway - it depends how they view it and exactly what it is. Thieving/shoplifting is another one they don't like. Though as you say it's a fair time ago.

You have to produce whatever documents you can and just make a declaration about whatever's missing.

ok thanks,i can't see how a criminal record that never involved prison and is from my teens nearly 20 years ago would make them decline me,if that's the case then they can stick their country

If only our immigration service was as rigourous!

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORISATION (ESTA)

US Congress has passed legislation which allows a charge to be made for ESTA. The exact cost and date of implementation are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be within the next few months.

To avoid this new charge, you can apply free for ESTA now, even if your future travel plans are not yet finalised.

If you already have an ESTA, you can renew free of charge for a further 2 years now, even if it is not actually close to expiry at the moment.

To apply for a new ESTA or renew an existing one, please only use the official ESTA website (CLICK HERE). Any other services or websites used may not guarantee genuine ESTA approval, could result in higher charges, and could potentially place your personal identity details at risk.

More info on ESTA requirements can be found on page 1 of this topic.

David

Hey guys not been about for a while hope you are all well
Bubble you been back to US yet? if so how did it all go?

I applied for a visa again way back in March haven't heard anything yet, been about 10 weeks or so, but the one i have doesn't exp till aug so i doubt i'll hear anything b4 then.
Not sure if it comes that late that we will go this year but will go next if thats the case.

Take Care
Jords

VISA help please.

I am organising a school trip to Chicago. One of the kids selected by her school to go does not have a British passport and has to apply for a visa. I informed her parents of this at least 5 weeks ago by phone. I spoke to them again 3 weeks ago and they had not yet begun the application process (we leave the UK on the 25th Sept). I spoke with them again face to face tonight. They assured me that they have begun the process but the girl is going home to Nigeria next week and won't be back in the country until the end of August. He was planning to try and get her interview at the US embassy for after she returns!

So the querstion is. What is a reasonable time for a Visa to be issued (or refused) after the interview has taken place? Does anyone have any experience they could share. They have a 4 week window to get the interview and get the paperwork through, is this possible/likely. My gut feeling is to ring the school tomorrow and get them to select someone else as I have to put names on the tickets by the 23rd July. I should add that this a free trip paid for out of a funding stream that the schools tap into (not the schools budget).

At the moment its not too bad: the wait time for an interview is currently (as of yesterday) 11 working days, with a further 4 working days to issue the visa thereafter.

Check the USA visa section of the embassy website:US Embassy Visas details

Thanks for that. I looked at the site last night but didn't see those times. All I coud find was the 60 day maximum time after interview.

Anyway the parent has been told that he either arranges an interview before she leaves the country for the Summer or she is off the trip.

Here's the bit of the website about how long you have to wait:Visa Wait Times

Hello,

sorry not been on here for a while.. We have been back to America Jords, we went at the end of may.. was all good, no problems at all.. we landed in LAX and hubby got taken in to the other room again, i had to wait outside this time, he was in & out in no time, the immigration officer just said to him as long as he doesnt get in any more trouble etc he wont have any problems.. which is exactly what they said in Orlando.. so that was good, still fill in the forms on the plane.. such a long flight though!! lol.. had a great time.. also going through the airport to Las Vegas was just the same as everyone else no problems or questions over the visa, i guess we were allready in the country but you never know..

Have you heard from the embassy yet? When did you put your departure date for? I still dont think they let you know untill so many weks before your due to go..

Hi De Hi,

We had to wait 17 weeks for my husbands visa before we got the email, from our experience it can be a lengthly wait which is alot more than 60 days.. lol..
from other peoples experiences i have read if they approve the visa on the day you will have it back with you usually within 3-5 working days, if they want to do more checks etc who knows!? With it being a school child & not a criminal record or something they need to look in to as much i would think it would be quicker.. as long as they take all the documents etc & have everything in order i would have thought it would have been more straight forward, just my opinion though!! but again i wouldnt leave it so late to apply..

Well the school that chose the child wants her to go on the trip. They have spoken with the parent and he has got an appointment for the end of August. They have phoned the embassy and have been told that it will be 7 days after the interview that they will get the Visa (or not get I suppose) so for now she is on the trip.

However another complication is that her dad posted me a photocopy of her passport this week! It expired in 2007! However the family have assured me that it has been renewed and here is a stamp inside it to that effect. I have asked them to send me a photocopy of the page with the stamp! Also the family is returning 'home' next week for a month and they will be getting new passports while there!

So for the time being am putting her name on the airline ticket (I have to do this next week) and if she has to be pulled then I expect her school will be picking up the tab for changing it later if she does not come.

My husband and I are due to fly to Orlando in october with our two kids. I have just followed your ESTA link and completed applications for us all. A relatively quick (albeit repetitive) process and applications have been approved. Is that all I have to do now with regard to that side of things? only 3 months until we go - getting excited now !

Yes. You may or may not have to complete the Visa Waiver form on the flight as it is being withdrawn for entry into some airports.

You will still have to complete a Customs declaration, but it one form per family and very short.

luci

Come the end of the month it will ALL be Electronic Unless you travel without a valid ESTA authorisation.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this...please move if not!

just completed our ESTA fporms online....my 16 yr old son and I were accepted immediately......my husbands was defeerred and we have to keep checking back for next 72 hours.....

My son and I have only 5 months left on our passports (from the date we land back in England)......we have been accepted...so can i assume that the 5 months plus remaining on the passports is adequate? Cant find a definitive answer anywhere as to whether we need to do an emergency passport application (we go in three weeks)......

can anyone give me the answer?

Oh....and has anyone had their ESTA put on hold....and told to check back in 72 hours????? is this normal?????

Verrrrryyyyyy Worried.......

As far as entry/immigration requirements are concerned, there is an agreement between the UK and US that your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay in the country.

However, some airlines and tour operators stipulate a minimum 6 month passport validity requirement. If you are travelling with one of those companies, you should find details on their website.

As for the ESTA, in most (but not all) cases, authorisation is almost immediate. Don't panic just yet. Without going into personal details, I assume you are not aware of any conditions which may affect authorisation or his eligibility to travel visa free ? If you think an error might have been made during his application, there is an opportunity to re-apply. But meantime just keep checking.

David