New Law for API from Oct 4th!!

Q What is Advance Passenger Information (API)?
A Advance Passenger Information (API) is information about passengers required by the US government prior to travel. It was originally introduced by the US authorities to speed up immigration procedures. Airlines could voluntarily provide passport information about passengers to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency once their flights had departed for the US and this would allow for routine identity checks to be made before arrival.

Q Why do I have to supply API?
A Following the tragic events of September 11 2001, security has been increased and there is now an additional focus on airlines to supply more information about passengers. This allows the US Authorities to make checks to identify anyone who may be a potential threat. We (and all other airlines) already obtain some information from machine-readable passports and supply this to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency.

Due to additional US regulatory and legislative requirements, from 4 October 2005, there will be a need to collect more Advance Passenger Information that we’ll then need to transmit to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency before our flights depart.

From 4 October 2005 we strongly advise you supply API to us before you arrive at the airport. This will minimise disruption at the airport check in area. The details that you need to supply must match the information that you provide on the Visa Waiver form onboard. We will let you know how to provide us with this information shortly.

Q How can I supply API?
A From 4 October 2005 you will be able to provide us with API. We will confirm the ways in which you can give us this information shortly and in the meantime ask that you keep coming back to this page for any updates.


Q What do I need to supply?
A Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)*
Date of birth*
Gender*
Country of residence*
Travel document type (normally passport and alien/permanent resident card if applicable)*
Document number*
Document country of issue*
Document expiry date*
Citizenship
Address where you’ll be staying in the US
If you are in transit, your final destination.

*The details marked with an asterisk can be taken from your machine-readable passport.

Q Do all Passengers need to supply API?
A Address in the US is not required for US citizens, US legal permanent residents or passengers in transit to other countries. You are classed as being in transit if you are staying less than eight hours in the US and have confirmed onward reservations

Q What do Virgin Atlantic do with API?
A Once you’ve supplied us with the information required, we hold it in our system and will submit this electronically to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency shortly after each flight has departed.

We are bound by UK data protection and privacy laws and we will not forward this information to anyone or show it to anyone who does not have appropriate security clearances (namely the US Authorities). We will not use it for any other purpose than to provide passenger information to the US Authorities who will verify this against their databases.


Q What will the US Authorities do with my information?
A The API data is checked against the combined federal law enforcement database, known as the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). Names are also checked against the FBI National Crime Information Center wanted persons database.

The US Authorities are bound by data protection and privacy laws so that the information cannot be forwarded to, or seen by anyone who does not have appropriate security clearances. It will only be used for its intended purpose.

Q What if I dont want to provide API?
A We (and all other airlines) are required by the US Government to collect API for all passengers before travel to or from the US. Passengers who refuse to supply API will not be allowed entry to the US and therefore will not be accepted for travel at check in.

Q What if I dont know the US Address?
A The US aut

I know it has to be done, but I really do not like the idea of all this personal information 'flitting about' between countries. If it gets into the wrong hands who knows what could be done with it i.e. forged passports etc. There are some devious people around nowadays.

They aren't asking for any more information than we already give at check-in. They just want it earlier now, thats all [msnwink]

If it means less time going through immigration
I am all for it
After a long journey stuck in the airport for 2 hours is no fun

Not sure it will speed up immigration at all. I'm assuming they already receive this info well before we land anyway.

I'm assuming I need(?) to contact Virgin before I fly then to give them the API for the 5 of us who are travelling?

Brizzle.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by brizzle
Not sure it will speed up immigration at all. I'm assuming they already receive this info well before we land anyway.

I'm assuming I need(?) to contact Virgin before I fly then to give them the API for the 5 of us who are travelling?

Brizzle.[/quote]The info about the address you're staying isn't already provided before you land as you currently fill this in on the visa waiver form and hand this in yourself to Immigration.

The info Mach 2 posted said that Virgin will let travellers' know how to provide this information so it may be best to check out their website.

This is the latest off of the Virgin Website:-

Virgin Atlantic, like other airlines is working in close cooperation with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to meet new US requirements relating to Advance Passenger Information.

These new requirements oblige all airlines to transmit additional information about passengers to the CBP prior to the departure of flights to the United States.

Specifically, there will be a requirement for all passengers who are not US residents to provide their country of residence and details of their full address (street name and number, city, zip code and state) for their first night’s accommodation in the US. Passengers travelling to the US continue to require a machine readable passport or valid visa.

Our primary aim is to make the process of collecting the required information as quick and easy as possible for all of our passengers, our contact centre agents and our travel industry partners. We are currently working on system enhancements that will enable the necessary data to be collected from passengers at the time they make their flight booking (whether this is directly with us via our contact centre or internet or through a travel agent). Passengers will also be able to provide this information via the 'Update Your Booking' facility within the 'Manage Your Flight' section of our website and when checking in online or using our kiosk facilities at London Heathrow. These systems will come into operation in the coming months and passengers will be provided with full information about the new procedures and requirements in advance of this.

In the meantime, we would ask that all passengers continue to be prepared to provide their valid travel documents and details of their full US destination address for US Immigration. There is no requirement for passengers to arrive at the airport any earlier than usual or to provide any information in advance of checking in for their flight.

This infomation is correct as of 3 October 2005.


That would indicate that until these systems are up and runiing you will have to provide this info at check in.

We go with BA in March and have already provided this information online at BA.com if this helps anyone on an upcoming BA flight.

in view of the london bombings in July, does the UK as for api for people travelling in from the USA????

I don't know but, as far as I'm aware, no-one involved in the London bombings came from the USA? However, the USA have had at least one potential terrorist from the UK arriving in their country.

It's up to the govenment of each country to decide on their own rules.

We should have it regardless of which country visitors come from.