The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. The types of journeys that are permissible under the VWP include general travel/tourism, certain types of business and when transiting to another country.
The US requires all those travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to provide details online at least 72 hours prior to travel. This is known as an Electronic Travel System Authorisation or ESTA. This is mandatory. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA.
Obtaining an ESTA should not be confused with the separate requirement, which will continue to apply, for you to provide your airline or carrier with details of your passport, country of residence and address of your first night’s accommodation in the US.
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETD) are not valid for entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Holders of an ETD must apply for the appropriate US visa.
The British Consulate General in Toronto have reported some cases of British nationals being denied re-entry into the USA under the VWP after a previous stay in the US. Travellers who have been admitted to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme and who make a short trip to Canada generally can be readmitted to the United States under the VWP as long as they still meet the requirements of the VWP. Granting entry under the VWP is a matter for the US authorities and travellers are advised to check they meet the entry requirements.
Applicants arriving in the United States with a non-compliant passport may be required to undergo further processing and/or be denied admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may exercise discretion at the ports of entry in cases of medical or other emergency travel. You should consult the office issuing the temporary passport for further advice.
The Department of State has removed HIV Infection from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance. This means that HIV infection will no longer be an inadmissible condition. Applicants who are travelling to the United States on or after 4 January 2010 who are otherwise qualified may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
If you are planning a travel to United States don’t forget your ESTA Visa application. You can get ESTA Visa online at http://www.estavisaapplication.co.uk/ ESTA USA – your key to United States.
