New requirement when visiting US in 2004

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Geo wrote:It seems like there are only 28 countries that have exceptions, mostly countries from Western europe that don´t require visas when entering the USA..

The rules for visa's are changing here in the UK from October. The US is abolishing the Visa waiver programme and anyone from the UK will need a new "biometric" passport or a visa. These biometric passports will contain a retina scan, fingerprint and your picture on the chip. These new passports will not be available in the UK until at least summer '05. If your current passport has a barcode, you can use it until it expires without a visa as long as it is issued before October. If it expires after October you must have either a new bio passport or an old style passport with a visa.

It might be a good idea to get a new passport before October, then you're good for ten years

I also believe that after October, UK peeps will also be photographed and fingerprinted at the airport as well, but I may have that wrong.

Osama's got a lot to answer for.....

The main inconvenience for those who would need to apply for a visa to enter the USA from the UK, is not having your photography or fingerprints taken and asked questions on entering the USA.

Its obtaining a Visa that causes the problem, the applicant has to apply in person to the American Embassy in London or Dublin, and the Embassy is only open Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm for those who would need a Visa to enter.

If we where to take your average UK family, Mom Dad and two children, and they wished to visit Disney World in Florida, lets say they live in the North or West of England, (lets say 300miles from London)

Now to obtain this Visa would involve a round trip of 600miles, Mom and Dad taking a day off work, and the children taking a day off school, as you must apply in person, and take your turn in a queue.

As all ready said, Osama’s got a lot to answer for….


Eddie

yddie foow wrote: Now to obtain this Visa would involve a round trip of 600miles, Mom and Dad taking a day off work, and the children taking a day off school, as you must apply in person, and take your turn in a queue.

And cost £65 per visa, + train, tube, bus whatever fares to get there.


And BTW, how come you have to phone to make an appointment, but still have to stand in line outside