Consulate General Belfast
Visa Services - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program?
Please work your way through our Visa Waiver Program Wizard at: london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html.
I am not eligible to travel to the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, how do I go about applying for a visa for travel to the U.S.?
For information about applying for a visa at Consulate General Belfast, please refer to:
london.usembassy.gov/nireland/nivisa.html
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I have a minor traffic offense. Can I travel visa-free?
Travelers with minor traffic offenses that did not result in an arrest and/or conviction for the offense may travel visa free, provided they are otherwise qualified. If you are not sure whether or not you are eligible to travel visa-free, the only way to resolve this question would be to apply for a visa.
I have been arrested and/or convicted of an offense. Can I travel visa-free?
If you have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, or you have a criminal record (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law so records that might be considered "spent" in the UK must also be taken into account), you should apply for a visa.
I am an Irish citizen, but I travel on a British Subject passport, do I need a visa?
Yes, if you are traveling on a British passport that indicates you are a "British Subject" rather than a "British Citizen", you will require a visa.
The last time I traveled to the United States visa free, I stayed longer than 90 days, can I travel to the United States without a visa?
As you previously overstayed on a visit to the United States you are not eligible to travel visa free. You must obtain a visa for travel to the United States.
Is my passport acceptable for visa-free travel?
Citizens of all 27 Visa Waiver Program countries, including children and infants, require their own individual machine-readable passport. A machine-readable passport has two lines of text as letters, numbers, and chevrons ( <<< ) at the bottom of the biographic data-page i.e. the photo-page of the passport.
As of October 26, 2005, new passports ISSUED ON OR AFTER October 26, 2005, by Visa Waiver Program countries must be machine-readable AND also include a digital photo. A digital photo is one that is printed on the page, not a photo that is glued or laminated into the passport.
From October 26, 2006, passports ISSUED ON OR AFTER October 26, 2006, must be e-Passports which include an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic information from the data page AND a digital photo.
For further information about the passport requirements and for samples of each of the above, please refer to:
www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0021.shtm.
Does my British or Irish passport have to be valid for six months beyond my date of departure from the United States?
No. Your passport need remain valid only for the duration of your stay in the United States.
For a list of other countries with which the U.S. has such an agreement , please refer to:
www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/sixmonth.html
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I did not hand in the I-94/W when I last left the United States. What should I do?
If you inadvertently returned home with your form I-94/I-94W in your passport, it is your responsibility to set the record straight. For information about how to dispose of the I-94/I-94W, please refer to:
www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/cbp/i94.html
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Some countries issue visas to those seeking casual employment for six to twelve months as they travel around the country. Is there such a scheme for the United States?
No, there is no such scheme in operation. In general, temporary work visas are based on a specific offer of employment. However, there are several exchange visitor programs for young people, including summer employment programs, intern programs for university students, and au-pair programs. For information about some UK based exchange visitor programs sponsors, please refer to:
www.fulbright.co.uk
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I have a visa in my old passport; can I just transfer it over?
It is not possible to transfer a visa from one passport to another without making a new visa application. For information about the visa application process, please refer to:
ondon.usembassy.gov/nireland/nivisa.html
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My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I've obtained a new passport; do I need a new visa?
If the passport in which your visa has been endorsed has expired but the visa is still valid, the visa in the old passport still can be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, the passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport, and, in so doing, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States.
My old visa says "Indefinite"; is it still valid?
An "indefinite" validity visa is no longer valid for travel to the United States. If you wish to travel for business or pleasure, you are either required to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, if qualified, or apply for a new visa by following the instructions at:
london.usembassy.gov/nireland/nivisa.html
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Visa FAQs
