| Author |  Topic  | |
jasonp
![]() United Kingdom
1 Posts
Joined: 31 Jan 2008
Status: offline |  Posted - 31 Jan 2008 : 12:16:04  
| Hi
I'm new to all of this so apologies if i look stupid. I am going to Orlando in June with my wife and 3 children aged 8,6 and 5. Where do i start with visa requirements etc as i have no clue.
thanks |
jason P | | Report this post to a moderator |
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ccarcher
 United Kingdom
282 Posts
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 31 Jan 2008 : 12:42:44
| as long as you have no convictions and or arrests (excluding motoring speed offences) then you just complete the green VWP (Visa Waiver Program) form on the plane
on the other hand if you have an arrest / conviction then its a whole different board game, see the numerous threads on the subject here as to whether you then need to obtain a visa or not | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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steph_goodrum
 United Kingdom
6874 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 31 Jan 2008 : 13:12:15
| quote:
Originally posted by ccarcher
as long as you have no convictions and or arrests (excluding motoring speed offences) then you just complete the green VWP (Visa Waiver Program) form on the plane
on the other hand if you have an arrest / conviction then its a whole different board game, see the numerous threads on the subject here as to whether you then need to obtain a visa or not
This is one of the criteria but not the only one, also included is if you have ever suffered from mental health issues/illness, certain disesaes etc. so you need to check out the whole criteria to check you and all the familly are eligible to travel under the visa waiver.
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html
should be able to help you determine if you are eligible for vias waiver progarm and therefore dont need to apply for VIsa.
they've introduced a Wizard to help determine if a visa is needed or not which reminded me that if your passport was issued after Oct 2006 then it must have an e-chip to allow you to travel. I think most of them were being done automatically by then but it may have been at the stage that it was still random which you were sent. |
Babblin Boo
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/92.aspx
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1478 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 31 Jan 2008 : 15:02:34
| quote:
they've introduced a Wizard to help determine if a visa is needed
Thanks for that - hadn't seen it.
At least it dispels the view put forward by some on this Board that any 'conviction' meant you couldn't use a waiver.
However it regurgitates the same statement that any arrest, even if no further action is taken, means you cannot use the Visa Waiver.
If that is indeed the 'official' view then why on the I-94W is there reference to crimes of moral turpitude and periods of confinement of five years. A simple question on the I94W asking "have you ever been arrested?" would suffice.
My personal view is that an embassy needs to justify its staffing levels and costs, and fetching thousands of people to visit London or Belfast fulfills that aim.
It is plainly ridiculous that someone arrested in a case of mistaken identity has to apply for a Visa. It is quite clearly against the Spirit and indeed letter of US immigration law.
In any case, the vast majority of people will never look, never need to look and indeed have never even heard about, that purely advisory website. They simply look at the I94 -W on the plane and see the bit about 5 years jail and answer 'No' with a clear conscience. |
Edited by - Robert5988 on 31 Jan 2008 15:04:10 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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ccarcher
United Kingdom
282 Posts
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 01 Feb 2008 : 12:20:23
| shame theres not a poll of how many people have travelled who ?
Have a visa
Dont know they need a visa
Or who through the statement or wizard on the embassy site require one and dont have one
Or by the wording on the I-94W do not need one
I bet it would be quite interesting to see the results
As you say majority of individuals and certainly before the days of internet access to forums like this, first contact they had was when asked to complete the I-94W on board the flight (Bit late by then if you do need one)
interesting story when I checked in last August with Virgin and (I have a visa) was given the I-94W to complete
when I informed the member of staff that i dont need to complete this with a visa and was there another form I needed to complete - she insisted on telling me I would not be allowed in unless I completed the VWP  |
Edited by - ccarcher on 01 Feb 2008 12:21:04 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1478 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 01 Feb 2008 : 13:41:00
| I know of several people who travel on a waiver having been arrested in the past and have a criminal record. They have been doing so for years and in good faith had answered 'No' to THE question on the I-94W. On various Forums, including this one, I have heard of similar cases.
It is a complete mystery why the I-94W includes all the '5 years jail and moral turpitude' wording IF the word 'arrest' would suffice.
Heaven knows how those from Europe who don't speak English and have a different legal system are expected to cope.
Regarding your Virgin story, there have been cases apparently of them(and others) turning away passengers(or refusing to confirm bookings) because their passports have less than 6 months left before expiry.
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ccarcher
United Kingdom
282 Posts
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Status: offline | |
Frosty
 USA
825 Posts
Joined: 15 May 2004
Status: online | Posted - 04 Feb 2008 : 21:28:06
| As i remember isn't there a question as to wether you are a terrorist or are you planning terrorist actions???
I wonder how may say yes to this
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Neil & Kay | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1478 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 10:43:18
| quote:
As i remember isn't there a question as to wether you are a terrorist or are you planning terrorist actions???
The reason for the 'stupid' questions like "are you a drug abuser?"
is so that you have committed an offence by lying on the I-94W. Assuming you are a drug abuser.
However it begs the question what is a drug? Asprin? painkillers? If Islay whisky counts I am in trouble! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Frosty
USA
825 Posts
Joined: 15 May 2004
Status: online | Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 12:53:22
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
quote:
As i remember isn't there a question as to wether you are a terrorist or are you planning terrorist actions???
The reason for the 'stupid' questions like "are you a drug abuser?"
is so that you have committed an offence by lying on the I-94W. Assuming you are a drug abuser.
However it begs the question what is a drug? Asprin? painkillers? If Islay whisky counts I am in trouble!
Yeah, its a good job its not Jack D or red wine then
But come on, if you really are a terrorist, are you going to worry about lying on a little green form? |
Neil & Kay | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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ccarcher
United Kingdom
282 Posts
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 16:02:28
| quote:
Originally posted by Frosty
quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
quote:
As i remember isn't there a question as to wether you are a terrorist or are you planning terrorist actions???
The reason for the 'stupid' questions like "are you a drug abuser?"
is so that you have committed an offence by lying on the I-94W. Assuming you are a drug abuser.
However it begs the question what is a drug? Asprin? painkillers? If Islay whisky counts I am in trouble!
I just couldnt lie on the Green form so went and got me a visa
O B Laden
Yeah, its a good job its not Jack D or red wine then
But come on, if you really are a terrorist, are you going to worry about lying on a little green form?
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1478 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 06 Feb 2008 : 01:52:39
| quote:
But come on, if you really are a terrorist, are you going to worry about lying on a little green form?
Well of course there is nothing on the form about terrorism.
However there is nothing illegal about, say, having asserted immunity from proscecution.
However by asking the question on the I-94W and it found that your answer was untrue, you have committed an offence.
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steph_goodrum
United Kingdom
6874 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | |
Robert5988
United Kingdom
1478 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 06 Feb 2008 : 10:41:42
| quote:
If you check question C Robert there definitely is a question about involvement in terrorist groups /activities.
Sorry, you are correct, I was just looking at question B which is the one that generally causes concern.
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ujpest doza
 United Kingdom
554 Posts
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Status: offline | |
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visa general questions
