ChatterBank1 min ago
Visa For The States
8 Answers
I have just won an 11 day trip to Gracelands, will I have to get a visa?
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You will need to apply for an ESTA https:/
As EC indicates, you'll need (at the very least) to obtain an ESTA.
However if you've ever been arrested (even if totally innocent) or convicted of a criminal offence, you're ineligible for an ESTA and you'll need to seek a visa. (That's a long-winded process, which involves getting hold of a copy of your police record and attending an interview in London).
If you've been convicted of (or admitted to, through accepting a caution for example) any offence involving 'moral turpitude' (which includes even minor shoplifting offences) the US Embassy is obliged by law to refuse to grant you a visa. You can then apply to Washington for a 'waiver of permanent ineligibility' but that process often takes over a year (with no guarantee of success).
However if you've ever been arrested (even if totally innocent) or convicted of a criminal offence, you're ineligible for an ESTA and you'll need to seek a visa. (That's a long-winded process, which involves getting hold of a copy of your police record and attending an interview in London).
If you've been convicted of (or admitted to, through accepting a caution for example) any offence involving 'moral turpitude' (which includes even minor shoplifting offences) the US Embassy is obliged by law to refuse to grant you a visa. You can then apply to Washington for a 'waiver of permanent ineligibility' but that process often takes over a year (with no guarantee of success).
I assume you are an average person contemplating a short visit for recreational (non-work) reasons to the USA.
Officially: There is an agreement between the USA and a collection of other countries whereby it is mutually agreed that US citizens can, without the need for a visa, enter/visit for a limited period those countries who have such an agreement. Conversely, the citizens of the same countries do not need a visa to enter the USA. Assuming you are travelling on a UK passport, then the UK (like many other countries) has a mutual visa waiver agreement with the USA. So, officially, the answer is "No", you don't need a visa.
However, the USA decided that all non-US citizens must be screened and approved before even being allowed to board an aircraft bound for or via the USA (note: at a foreign airport which by definition/supposedly is outside US jurisdiction). The process is called applying for an ESTA - this is nothing other than a visa application by another name. Why have the countries with visa waiver agreements not complained or at least cancelled the agreement until the ESTA is cancelled ? - Ask your own government. The whole thing (the visa agreements) is a nonsense, it is by now a one-sided decision not to require visas of US citizens (by not calling ESTA a visa the USA is being duplicitous). So, unofficially, "Yes" you need a visa, no matter what anyone calls it or says otherwise.
Officially: There is an agreement between the USA and a collection of other countries whereby it is mutually agreed that US citizens can, without the need for a visa, enter/visit for a limited period those countries who have such an agreement. Conversely, the citizens of the same countries do not need a visa to enter the USA. Assuming you are travelling on a UK passport, then the UK (like many other countries) has a mutual visa waiver agreement with the USA. So, officially, the answer is "No", you don't need a visa.
However, the USA decided that all non-US citizens must be screened and approved before even being allowed to board an aircraft bound for or via the USA (note: at a foreign airport which by definition/supposedly is outside US jurisdiction). The process is called applying for an ESTA - this is nothing other than a visa application by another name. Why have the countries with visa waiver agreements not complained or at least cancelled the agreement until the ESTA is cancelled ? - Ask your own government. The whole thing (the visa agreements) is a nonsense, it is by now a one-sided decision not to require visas of US citizens (by not calling ESTA a visa the USA is being duplicitous). So, unofficially, "Yes" you need a visa, no matter what anyone calls it or says otherwise.
WOW! You lucky thing! Gracelands is wonderful! Memphis as a city is great too. Hope your trip allows time for you to see it all. The zoo is brilliant if you like zoos and have time, and there's a super riverside park On Mud island. Beale street has lots of bars where there's live music and a wonderful atmosphere.
We were there last year and totally loved Memphis.
Glad you got your ESTAS sorted!
Have a wonderful time
Best wishes
Maz xx
We were there last year and totally loved Memphis.
Glad you got your ESTAS sorted!
Have a wonderful time
Best wishes
Maz xx
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