american visas

[pagey3]

If I am going to the USA for a week in february, do I need a visa?

I got my passport renewed in June 2005. My mum says she's looked it up and I don't, but I just need to double check!

[dzug]

No, you can get a visa waiver on arrival having filled in the form on the plane.

This assumes you have a UK passport and no criminal record and have a return ticket. There's other small print as well but it doesn't affect many people.

[spudqueen]

Yes, as long as you got your passport before October 2005 you're alright.

[pagey3]

thanks guys - so much confusing information out there just wanted to be 100%!

[dzug]

Agree it's confusing - even the October 2005 date mentioned by the previous poster is wrong* and irrelevant to UK passport holders.

*The requirements are (for UK passport holders)

passports issued before October 2005 - must be machine readable. All normal UK issued ones are

passports issued after October 2005 - must have a digitised photograph. All UK issued ones have this

Passports issued after October 2006 (a date that has been postponed several times) - must contain biometric data. UK ones should be OK by then

Note that is when the passport was issued that matters - not when you are travelling

http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/press_160605.asp