Visa Waiver Scheme Update

[chrisj]

They asked Sam a question and he being his fathers son said
'My dad said I musnt talk to strangers'

They guy laughed and let us through

Just be yourself and you will be ok

Chris

[melfrank]

We have always found the immigration people very serious and scary.
My son is always wanting put stupid answers to the questions re bombs and spies etc. But so far we have been able to stop him.

[Carla]

That's good!!! They take a very, very dim view of anyone joking about these things!!!

[fiona]

I have someone asking if they will be ok travelling at Easter next year with existing passports - children on parents - which expire in 2006. They travelled to USA earlier this year without any problem.

I know the Embassy info says all ok, but I thought I read about one of the airlines insisting on this? Anyone know?

[Carla]

BA now seem to have it in their own rules that everyone, children included, are required to have their own passports. Apparently this October they refused to allow a child to travel, as the child was on the parent's passport.

It's worth checking out, but there may also have been more to this case, as well.

[MTP]

Aren't the airlines liable for the cost of the return journey if someone gets refused entry at customs/immigration if their paperwork is incorrect and they shouldn't have been allowed to travel?

Just something I seem to remember from somewhere, but I think that is why they are so careful about shecking things at check-in (ie they are not really fussed about you getting into the country, but they sure don't want you costing the airline company!!).

[chrisj]

Yes the airline are responsible and get hefty fines for every refused person.

Seems funny our own passport office say its ok to still have children on your passport

[Lesley S]

The American embassey have said it is alright until October 2004. I gave them a ring to make sure as we are going sometime at the beginning of the year (hopefully)/

[chrisj]

I think the problem is that the new rule got put back, Our passport office, the American embassy are aware, but our travel companies dont seem to have been told yet.


Makes it fun getting different stories

[paulm]

If I was Ronnie Biggs and filled in a Visa Waiver form stating that I had NO criminal convictions, How would the US Immigration know that I was a criminal and refuse me entry ?

(please do not answer that they had seen me rob the train in the film Buster)