visit to usa

[vickibladon]

I am going to America for a 10 day holiday, do i need the new chip passport or am ok with the older version of the passport?

[theking]

if you have the old style passport you need to have 6 months remaining on it to visit a country outside the eu.
when you renew your passport you will automatically get a chip in it.

just make sure its got 6 months left

[sddsddean]

...and don't forget to fill in the visa waiver form online. This replaces the card you used to do on the plane. You must fill in the online version at least 3 days before you travel for every person in your party.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c95DD8679-A818-3B94-06FD-3A1B6AA2BB66_k6FB9A56F-97A8-1823-4DFC-5368EC2AA790

[sddsddean]

try this one
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

[auntiebertie]

You fill in the ESTA but you also still have to fill in the green card on the plane too. The USA immigration dept hasn't got its act together yet.

[auntiebertie]

You fill in the ESTA but you also still have to fill in the green card on the plane too. The USA immigration dept hasn't got its act together yet.

TheKing - No you don't. Please do not post an answer unless you have the correct facts as it is misleading and confusing for others. The correct answer actually is For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport;

[vickibladon]

now im confused....

auntiebertie: please can you explain?

[auntiebertie]

You complete the ESTA on line at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html - and print this off and take it with you; but you ALSO still get given the Green forms to complete on the plane as well.

Online completion is mandatory for all Visa Waiver Programme travellers to the USA provided that the airline used is capable of receiving and validating ESTA data. If the airline does not have this capability, then the old manual I-94W form will continue to be used and which will be distributed to passengers by that airline, normally either at check in or in flight.

[lilv]

Warning!!!!! I had an old passport a year ago, flew to LA simply to get on a connecting flight to Mexico and ended up spending 7 hours in the immigration office, missed my connection, had to stay overnight in LA after being given a temporary visa and a fine, nearly missed the wedding I was going to in Mexico AND was rerouted back home via Canada as the US DO NOT allow unchipped passports!!!! It was very stressful, expensive and intrusive, an experience i wouldnt wish on anyone. Get a new passport!