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
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