Visa requirements for travel to the USA
With effect from 26 October 2004, the United States Customs and Border Protection authorities introduced new regulations which required that all passengers intending to travel to the USA who are citizens of countries which participate in the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) be in possession of a valid Machine Readable Passport (MRP). Under the VWP most travellers from the 35 participating countries do not need a visa to enter the United States if they are travelling for tourism or business for 90 days or less.
This regulation was further extended from 26 October 2005 requiring that all passports issued on or after this date must also include a digital photograph in order to remain eligible for visa free travel and for passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 must be an e-passport which includes a biometric chip. Alternatively you must obtain a USA visa prior to travel. Passports issued by visa waiver countries prior to 26 October 2005 need not contain a digital photograph to qualify for visa free travel providing it is machine-readable, except for those issued by Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Korea & Slovak Republic which must be e-passports . View the Visa Waiver Programme time-lines.
More about applying for a US Visa
This can take several weeks, so we strongly recommend that:
- All Visa Waiver nationals who hold a non-machine readable passport should obtain a Machine-Readable Passport before their next visit to the USA
- Children travelling on their parents' passport should get their own Machine Readable Passport before their next visit to the USA
What is a Machine Readable Passport (MRP)?
This has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text can be read by machine.
Is a Machine Readable Passport the 'new style' passport versus the 'old style passport'?
Most of the 'new style' British passports issued in the UK since 1988 will be machine readable, but those issued outside the UK may not be.
When did other Visa Waiver countries begin to issue MRP'S?
Several countries, e.g. France, Italy and Portugal began issuing MRP'S much later than the United Kingdom so it is possible that a large number of travellers from these countries may not hold a MRP and may be unaware of the new requirement.
Which nationalities are currently entitled to use the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)?
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom*.
* Only British Citizens are eligible
What are the other Visa Waiver Programme requirements?
- You must be travelling for business, pleasure or in transit through the US
- You must only be staying in the USA for less than 90 days
- You must hold a return or onward ticket (or e-ticket receipt)
- You must present a completed I-94W form (arrival record) to the authorities on arrival in the USA - this must include the address and zip code for where you are staying (these forms can be obtained at check- in or on board the aircraft). When leaving the US, it is important to surrender your I-94 form (departure record) in order that your departure is properly recorded. This will ensure that your next visit is trouble free.
- You must obtain a travel authorisation via the Electronic System For Travel Authorisation (ESTA), as described below
You may wish to check whether you are eligible to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme.
Are there any useful sources of Visa Waiver information?
Visit the US State Department website.
Visit the US Embassy in London website.
More comprehensive information about travel to the US.
Electronic System For Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for VWP travellers to the USA
International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are now subject to enhanced security requirements.
The United States Department of Homeland Security requires citizens of qualifying VWP countries to obtain a travel authorisation prior to initiating travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. This authorisation may be obtained online through the Electronic System For Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
ESTA applies only to those VWP travelers entering the United States by air or sea and is not requried for those already in possesion of a valid US Visa or Residency Card. It is recommended that an ESTA is obtained at least 72 hours prior to travel and once approved is valid for a period of two years, or until the expiry of the passport from which the ESTA was applied, whichever comes first.
For more information, take a look at ESTA explained or you can apply for your ESTA now at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.
Advance Passenger Information for the US
The United States, as well as many other countries such as Canada and Spain requires bmi (and all other airlines) to collect and supply Advance Passenger Information commonly referred to as APIS. Accordingly, we are legally obliged to collect passenger information from all customers (including infants) who are travelling to, from and through the United States in order to satisfy enhanced security arrangements as required by the US Department for Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Additional APIS information.
In addition to APIS data, the US authorities require direct access to the Passenger Name Records (PNR) of carriers directly serving the United States. This is a copy of your electronic record created by us for the purpose of recording your flight reservations and which may include other information such as, but not limited to contact details and method of payment. Follow the
link for a more comprehensive explanation about the transfer of PNR data to the US authorities.
United States Secure Flight Programme
Secure Flight is a program developed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to a key 9/11 Commission recommendation. The aim of the Secure Flight program is to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel. You may also obtain more detailed information about the Secure Flight Program.
How will it effect you?
You will not need to do anything differently than you do today, other than it will now be mandatory to provide us with your APIS information at least 72 hours before departure if you have booked with us to travel to the United States. You may provide us with your passport information (APIS) online via ‘Manage My Booking' or by telephone through our reservations call centre in the UK on 0844 8484 888. Other international telephone numbers are available.
What information is required?
Consistent with the requirement to collect Advance Passenger Information, the following information which is obtained from your passport or travel document, is required to be entered into your reservations record:
- Full given names and surname (your passport name and booking name must match)
- Nationality
- Travel documenttype (i.e. passport or identity card)
- Travel documentnumber (i.e. passport number)
- Document expiry date
- Document issuing country
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Redress Number (if applicable)
How will this data be used?
Secure Flight conducts uniform pre-screening of passenger information against federal government watch lists for domestic and international flights. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is taking over this responsibility from aircraft operators who, up until now, have been responsible for checking passengers against government watch lists.
US visitor checks
If you're travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme or are a non-immigrant US visa holder you will be required to enrol in the US-VISIT programme on entry to the United States. US-Visit forms part of a programme of measures introduced to improve safety and security for both visitors to the US and US citizens.
US-Visit procedures include all visitors travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) arriving at both air and sea ports of entry into the USA.
What does the US-VISIT programme involve?
US-VISIT requires the collection of unique data - in this case a scan of an individual's unique fingerprint by an ink-less scanner, in addition to a digital photograph. These details are collected by an immigration inspector during the normal immigration inspection process on arrival into the United States and will be repeated on each and every entry thereafter. The fingerprint is verified and stored on a US government computer together with the digital photograph and all ports of entry are equipped with this scanning facility.
Effective 06 May 2007, international visitors are no longer required to use the US-VISIT exit kiosks when departing from the United States. However, non-US citizens who completed the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record must surrender their departure form to an airline representative when departing the United States. This form is normally collected when you check-in at the airport or as you board the flight.
For more information on 10-fingerprint scanning.
If you'd like more information about this, please visit the US Department of Homeland Security.