So I’ve finally decided to make the trip to America, Arkansas to be specific. What I want to know is what do I need to do, in terms of visas and such, I’m pretty confused at the moment.
I am to be staying with a family I know over there, for roughly a month, in case that makes any difference. Thanks.
-adam
It would help if you told us where you are from (i.e. your citizenship).
Sorry, I’m English and living in England.
Check with the American Embassy in London (or Cardiff or Edinburgh, whichever’s closest). Since you are from the UK, you shouldn’t need a visa, just your passport due to the Visa Waiver Program.
But contact the Embassy just to be sure.
The U.K. is a visa waiver country, so most visitors from there will only need a passport. You can find full details here.
Thank you, Neurotik. It seems I don’t need a visa after all.
Certainly when I went to the US in March this year, there was no requirement for a visa, but I think I remember reading since then that the Visa Waiver scheme has been amended or suspended for UK citizens? Check with the US embassy (it’s easy to find - it’s the building surrounded by concrete blocks, razor wire and paranoid security guards…)
No, it hasn’t been amended or suspended. You might be thinking of the requirement for machine-readable passports, but that won’t come into effect until next year.
OK, I was wrong about that. What I read was that the USA has brought in rules that even those entering under the Visa Waiver scheme must have machine-readable passports (which all new UK passports have been since the EU-format ones were introduced).
And in any case, they have extended the deadline for this for UK visitors. Read about it here: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/usawaiver/public/en_gb
OK, I was wrong about that. What I read was that the USA has brought in rules that even those entering under the Visa Waiver scheme must have machine-readable passports (which all new UK passports have been since the EU-format ones were introduced).
And in any case, they have extended the deadline for this for UK visitors. Read about it here: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/usawaiver/public/en_gb
Double post, and ruadh beat me to it anyway.
Anyway, enjoy your trip, adam…
Thanks, everyone. The MRP issue won’t affect me as I’ll be there and back by October 2004.
Arkansas is nice, but it’s not really the most exciting part of the US. I hope you get to do a little travelling while you’re here!
Avoid Hot Springs…
Don’t bring fruitcake, peanut butter or chocolate bars with you.
