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Visa Waiver Program

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 14:05
by Scott
Hi,

Not sure if this should go in here or somewhere else, oh well a bit late now I guess!!!

Basically, it's a fair few years since I last went to the States, and with a trip coming up before Christmas, would I be right in thinking I don't need to do anything to get into the US except arrive with my Passport (and do you still fill in the little green/white cards onboard)? I appreciate the whole API thing going on at the moment, but I'm sure I've got that covered. it's just I'd hate to cock something up quite so royally!

Thanks in advance, sorry if I've been stupid and duplicated a thread, if so delete this and then slap my wrist!

Scott

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 14:09
by Bazz
You will need a machine readable passport. The Visa Waiver Program is still current so I imagine you will still fill in the green immigration form, the white one is for customs.

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 14:13
by Scott
Good good, got a machine readable passport... so nothing else to worry about at all then! Thanks very much for your lightning response!

Scott

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 14:58
by bostonbrit
Erm - worth just checking - you have a British passport right? The Visa Waiver Program only applies to 30 or so countries (inc. the UK!).

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 16:03
by Scott
Yep, I am a UK citizen/national whatever the right term is for someone from fine British stock! :D[:I]

My reading of the rules was that I didn't need to apply for anything in advance and could just turn up with my usual travel documents, I just wanted to double check before I made an arse of myself;)

Scott

PostPosted: 04 Oct 2005, 18:13
by mitchja
Also make sure that on the date of travel, you have at least 6 months left before your passport expires as well. This now applies to most destinations now anyway.

regards

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 02:35
by csparker
Discovered today at EWR what the "WB" that they write on the waiver stamp each time means. Apparently it stands for "Waiver Business".

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 06:52
by preiffer
Originally posted by csparker
Discovered today at EWR what the "WB" that they write on the waiver stamp each time means. Apparently it stands for "Waiver Business".
Yup - and WT means "Waiver Tourist".

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 07:30
by mcuth
Originally posted by mitchja
Also make sure that on the date of travel, you have at least 6 months left before your passport expires as well. This now applies to most destinations now anyway.


James, not sure this is a requirement for travel on VS - have a look at my reply to Pat

Cheers

Michael

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 09:21
by mike-smashing
Originally posted by preiffer
Yup - and WT means "Waiver Tourist".


...and "WTR" is "Waiver Transit".

It was interesting travelling with my girlfriend who is a Greek national and so had to have a visa. She got a different stamp, and of course had different paperwork.

Cheers,
Mike

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 09:25
by preiffer
Originally posted by mike-smashing
...and "WTR" is "Waiver Transit".
Mike,

Did they not axe the Transit without Visa program? I thought everyone was admitted as either WB/WT, regardless of stay now?

(I certainly get a WB every time I go through Boston, enroute to Canada - for about 2 hours)

PostPosted: 05 Oct 2005, 10:40
by mike-smashing
Originally posted by preiffer
Originally posted by mike-smashing
...and "WTR" is "Waiver Transit".
Mike,

Did they not axe the Transit without Visa program? I thought everyone was admitted as either WB/WT, regardless of stay now?


I got a "WTR" in March 2005 arriving by cruise ship into Miami and departing from MIA later the same day.

I still had to complete an I94W, but the passport definitely says "WTR". I think, if I was from a non Visa Waiver country, I would have had to have a Visa regardless.

Thanks,
Mike