Travelling to america

[JustJenni]

Thinking about a rather out of the blue trip to visit a friend in america, ive never been before and i know you need to get a visa and i need to renew my passport asap, but i'm just wondering where i would apply for one and how long on average do they take? and is there anything else i need to do?

[dzug2]

Given certain conditions you don't need a visa

You need to apply for an ESTA and they take a maximum of 72 hours and are often instantaneous. You need a current passport to apply for one

https://esta.cbp.dhs....n.html?execution=e1s4

[Buenchico]

As Dzug2 indicates, you qualify for visa-free travel if you've never been arrested or convicted of a criminal offence. If so, you can apply for an ESTA online. (NB: There are lots of rogue sites which add their own 'administration fee' onto what the US authorities charge. Use Dzug2's link and nothing else).

There is no minimum passport validity for travel to the USA (as long as you hold a UK passport). Travellers from most countries need 6 months validity on their passport but the rule is waived for Brits. Your passport only needs to be valid throughout your stay.

If you don't qualify for an ESTA you have to apply for a visa. That involves attending an interview at the US Embassy in London. The waiting time for an interview is usually around 2 weeks. If the applicant has not committed an offence involving 'moral turpitude', they might only have to wait around 5 days from then to get their visa (if one is granted). Any offence involving moral turpitude (e.g. shoplifting) means that the application has to be referred to Washington, with the process normally taking a minimum of 5 months (and often much longer). The longest wait I've seen reported on this website was one of 15 months, from someone who was eventually refused a visa because of two convictions of driving without insurance:
http://london.usembassy.gov/b2.html

Chris

[ABerrant]

Pedantry alert !!!! ;-)

"Travellers from most countries need 6 months validity on their passport but the rule is waived for Brits."

Of the 196-ish countries of the world (defining a 'country' is an inexact science at best) 125 are members of the '6-Month Club', i.e. those countries whereby the six-month passport validity requirement is waived by the US, thus travellers from most countries do not require 6 months validity on their passport.

http://www.cbp.gov/li...bulletin_04162008.pdf

[Maydup]

I can't add to the info already offered, but I would like to advise you to tell your bank and credit card company before you go to The States. Otherwise, if you need to use the cards for either shopping or cash you're just as likely to find the transactions blocked as unusual pattern of spending.

[Dee Sa]

my travel agent will apply for the Esta on line if you purchase your ticket from him, find out if one in your area will do the same, saves me a lotta hassle.

[JustJenni]

Thank you for all your answers they've been really helpful, dee sa do you use an indendant travel agent or a chain? I'm off to renew my passport today as mine ran out in january and ill pop into the travel agents near where i work to see if any would do the esta and find me a decent priced flight and hotel, like i said its a pretty out of the blue visit so ie it all goes to plan.
Thanks again everyone :)