US immigration

[Nostromo]

There appears to be no set pattern to this. Some people simply breeze through immigration & Customs (particularly at Sanford) whereas others have to remove everything like belts, shoes etc. I think EU citizens on their own have an easier time, but if they are travelling with non-EU family, risk being put through the wringer. That is probably why my wife and I, both UK citizens with maroon EU-UK passports, were photographed and fingerprinted. I cannot think of any other reason (apart from our Ethnic background).

[jangar]

Just returned from Florida on Monday. Flew via Philly. Haven't been to US since 1990 so prepared for long wait at Immigration/customs. Sailed thru immigration after 10 mins wait despite very surly officer. Baggage was delayed due to stormy conditions holding up unloading, as a result we were waved thru customs at top speed!!! Only shoes scanned were my son's aged 11 as detector kept going off!! Found to be packaging on a tube of Werther's Originals!!!!!Coming home, Orlando had special kids' lane 4 security with animal patterned mats on the floor and stickers for all!Staff scanning luggage very friendly and patient as i searched thru the bags for films!!!(Don't put them in your checked in luggage!!)

[steph_goodrum]

"US eg.visas,passports,immigration probs etc etc etc"

As far as visas go if your passport has validity on it you dont need one. Its only if you need a new passport after Oct 26th this year (unless the legislation requiring the biometric data gets pushed back a couple of years as the US have asked congress to do) that you may be required to get one.

Although it can be frustrating (although we personally have never experienced any of these delays so far ) NY could be different in the summer now I've said that, my feeling is if it actually helps safety /security (although it is debatable) then I can put up with it.
At the end of the day, I think, its better to be 10 mins late in this life than 10 mins early in the next - and that applies whether its driving down the M25 or flying Transatlantic.

[John Boy]

I first posted this in ‘ASK THE EXPERTS’ under the heading 'DEFINITIVE ANSWERS TO VISA QUESTIONS' but feel it will do some good in this thread it is totally up to date.

Visa Free Travel to the USA

Under the US Visa Waiver Programme, many British Citizens holding a UK passport do not require a US visa providing: -

Duration of stay is not more than 90 days and traveller holds a valid ticket for onward or return travel.

Passport is valid for at least 90 days from date of entry into the United States.

Travel is for business, tourism or transit only

Traveller is not a journalist on assignment nor an individual seeking gainful employment

Traveller has never been arrested (even if the arrest did not lead to a conviction) and has not been convicted of a crime.

Traveller has not been refused entry into or deported from the United States and has not previously violated the terms of admission under the visa waiver program

If travelling on or after 26th October 2004, traveller is in possession of an individual machine readable passport

Traveller completes and presents an I-94W form to the US Customs & Border Protection at the first point of entry into the USA (these forms are available at check-in or on the aircraft) and otherwise be eligible for a visa.

Entry Procedures Updated : 19th May 2004

Biometric Information Current US legislation requires that UK passports issued on or after 26th October 2004 must contain biometric information. However a proposal is currently before Congress to delay introduction of this legislation and, in any event, non-biometric passports issued prior to this date, will still be accepted for visa free travel.

Finger Scanning & Facial Recognition On or around September 30th 2004, all Visa Waiver Passengers will be finger scanned and their pictures taken upon arrival in the USA. This will take place during the inspection with US Customs & Border Protection who will use an inkless digital finger scanner to electronically capture the left & right index fingers of the traveller. A digital photograph of the traveller will also be taken. The process usually takes an average of 15 seconds and should not inconvenience or delay arrival into the USA.

Machine Readable Passport From October 26th 2004, British citizen passport holders intending to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program are required to present an individual machine readable passport (MRP) upon entry into the USA at Customs & Border Protection. Those travelling without an MRP will need to apply for a valid USA entry Visa. This applies to both adults and children, each of whom must have a personal MRP to enter the United States under the VWP.

The MRP has been issued in the UK since 1988 and as a standard UK Passport is issued for ten years, then most UK travellers will now be using the small, red, MRP and will already meet this requirement. However there are two main exceptions: -

Old style, blue passports that may have been issued by British Embassies overseas. Any traveller holding such a passport, who would otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme, needs to either renew their passport for a MRP version or to obtain a US Visa.

Children now need their own MRP to travel to the USA but as all children, from infants in arms to sixteen years, have been required to hold their own UK passport since Oct 15th 1998 then many young travellers already meet this requirement. However, children born prior to 1998 who are still included in the passport of either of their parents will not now be allowed to enter the USA without their own MRP.

First Night’s Accommodation An I-94W form must be completed by all foreign nationals and presented to US Customs & Border Protection Authorities at the first point of entry into the United States. Arriving visitors will now have to provide an accurate address of the place that they intend to stay on their first night in America and it is no longer acceptable to show ‘touring’ if on a fly-drive holiday, or ‘staying with relatives’.

Additionally, this same

[John Boy]

How you are treated when in customs can very not only from airport to airport but from customs officer to customs officer

I spent three months on the trot in Orlando last year on my return just 12 days later I was subjected to an hours interrogation and had to give proof that I had business in America I was then asked to say how long I would be in the country I said 2 weeks and it was stamped on my passport that I had to leave the country within 16 days If I had gone over that by one minute I would have been arrested and never allowed to set foot in US again.

Now that was scarry

I had to return 1 month after that and was quite frankly expecting to be interrogated. All the way over it was praying on my mind just what type of reception I was going to get again. He asked me what my business was in the US (Oh s--T here we go again) I told him "How long are you here for" "10 days" Now I'm going to be asked to go to the side room where someone will deal with me!!! But NO the customs man said welcome to the US Mr Cobb enjoy your trip!! you could have knocked me over with a feather I was stunned.

Never expect anything. Never be complacent.
NEVER SHOW FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[LesleyB]

My sis-in-law flew out to Florida in April to meet us there. On landing at Sanford, she was given the third degree, and they kept questioning her as to why she was travelling on her own. Eventually they were satisfied with her explanation and let her through. She was thoroughly searched as well. We had the problems on the way back when other half set off all the alarms in security section.

Lesley

[chrisj]

We had a really funny immigration chap when we went to Canada a few years ago. He must
have just had a bad day and took it out on us