VISA requirements entering U.S.

Panavision · 28-08-2006, 12:06 PM

Hey guys, I've been reading up on U.S. visa entry requirements. I can travel there under the visa waiver program if I have a machine readable passport, which I do.

Do I need to fill in a green form before flying? I ask because I get conflicting information from various people.
This is the link to that form

Are there any other requirements?

gringottsdirect · 28-08-2006, 12:25 PM

If you are allowed entry under US-VISIT - you fill in the green visa waiver form on the plane.
Do it carefully as mistakes will involve filling in another - enter your country of origin as UNITED KINGDOM for example - not ENGLAND - or whatever.
There is absolutely nothing to worry about.

**unique** · 28-08-2006, 12:45 PM

unless you've been convited of offences like drug smuggling or your a communist or terrorist, you just use the visa waiver and fill it in on the plane. if you don't know what you are doing, just ask one of the nice air stewardesses. you will also get another white form to declare any gifts or items you may leave in the country

and don't put england on the form like gringo says. they hate the english!

indianwells · 28-08-2006, 12:59 PM

Make sure you fill it in correctly or they'll send you to the back of the queue.Extremely unfunny after a trans Atlantic flight.I know.It happened to moi.

**unique** · 28-08-2006, 2:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indianwells

Make sure you fill it in correctly or they'll send you to the back of the queue.Extremely unfunny after a trans Atlantic flight.I know.It happened to moi.

and when they ask you what you are doing in the country, don't say you are going to assasinate the president. the poor buggers in customs have a sense of humour bypass. you'd think they'd be glad of the favour!

kbfern · 28-08-2006, 4:16 PM

One more point,when arriving at immigration control if they ask where you are staying don't say "not sure or don't know.

If you don't have a hotel booked or house to stay in just tell them a name of a hotel in the area you are visiting otherwise they will not let you in if you don't tell them where you are staying.

Panavision · 28-08-2006, 7:45 PM

Thanks guys

Anybody been to L.A.? Checking out car rentals, I get the funny feel that they'll charge me more when I pay to pick up the car.

wells · 28-08-2006, 8:36 PM

Book it here before you go and it will be a lot cheaper, fully insured and a fixed price. I used "National" in LA but booked it through a broker. I've used several as I go twice a year but they are all as good as each other, just shop around.

Try these

yescarhire dot com
uscarhire dot co dot uk (rent out tomtom satnav too)
holidayautos dot com

Knyght_byte · 29-08-2006, 2:48 AM

keep a friendly look on your face, smiling is useful but dont over do it...lol

whatever you do dont look shifty....heh

the best bit is coming back......you'll get off the plane, walk through customs without seeing a single person and get a taxi home.....amazing that.....still cant believe it when i came back from Michigan......not one staff member or security.........

but in the US, ohhh, they'll have blokes with dogs and women with rubber gloves on galore...lol.....if they ask you to open your bags, just say sure...dont engage in conversation other than to say yes or no as appropriate.....if they think you being smart they'll probably do a complete search just to annoy you (by complete, well, remember the rubber glove woman?)

Panavision · 29-08-2006, 7:15 AM

I've got three points on my licence, will that be a problem? I went through red lights a year ago

indianwells · 29-08-2006, 7:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panavision

I've got three points on my licence, will that be a problem? I went through red lights a year ago

No problem,all the car rental clerks are a bit thick anyway and just write down the licence number.Points on our licences don't mean a thing to them.All that matters to them is that you've got one.

dragonfly · 29-08-2006, 7:36 AM

Red Traffic Light signal offences are not recordable offence(s) that gives you a criminal record only (causing death by dangerous driving) does.
Red A.T.S is regarded as a minor road traffic offence and should not count against you.
Regards

Panavision · 29-08-2006, 12:33 PM

Thanks guys

gringottsdirect · 29-08-2006, 8:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panavision

I've got three points on my licence, will that be a problem? I went through red lights a year ago

You'll enjoy yourself in LA - you can turn RIGHT on a red light at most intersections unless otherwise marked as NO TURN ON RED.
Just need to make sure nothing is coming.

Panavision · 30-08-2006, 7:58 AM

Nice one :D What are taxi fares like over there? Say five miles, what's the average price?

MikeTV · 31-08-2006, 7:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panavision

Checking out car rentals, I get the funny feel that they'll charge me more when I pay to pick up the car.

They will. They will try and sell you extra insurance cover, telling you that the basic cover is only up to the state minimum (eg $20000 or something), and that what you really need is insurance cover for legal liabilities up to $1million. Utter rubbish. No one ever gets sued for amounts like that, no matter how bad their driving. Absolutely refuse it. It's a complete scam. But millions of people are suckered into paying it all the time at car hire companies.