Visa Services, U.S. Embassy London

Just read about the fee for travelers registering under ESTA. I have a valid ESTA, will I be required to submit a new registration when the fee is introduced?

No.  If you have a valid registration under ESTA, you will not be required to re-register on September 8, 2010 when the fee is introduced.  A regisration under ESTA is valid for two years from the date it is authorized or until the date on which the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.  You will be subject to the new fee, however, if your registration expires and you re-register...

Just read the press reports about the ESTA fee. How can I pay it?

The fee will be payable at the time you submit a registration.  Payment will be by credit card -  Visa, American Express, MasterCard or Discover or debit card – Visa or MasterCard.     Remember the fee will not be introduced until September 8, 2010.

ESTA Fee to be introduced

On September 8, 2010 a new fee of $14.00 is to be introduced for Visa Waiver Program travelers registering under ESTA.  A fee of $4.00 will recover the costs incurred by the Department of Homeland Security of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10.00 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) of 2009.  Please see the U.S. Customs...

The I-94W Goes Paperless!

During the month of July 2010 the I-94W  completed by Visa Waiver Program travelers entering the United States by air or sea is being phased out.  Please check with your carrier for further information.  The I-94W is the arrival/departure record card handed to travelers by the carrier which is completed and presented to U.S. immigration at the Port of Entry.  Travelers who do not complete the...

Update on the Operator Assisted Information Service

While call volumes are beginning to return to normal, the Operator Assisted Information Service continues to be busy. If travel is not imminent, please delay making the call. On calling the Service you will hear an opening message before making your selection. If an agent is not available to take your call within 20 seconds of you making that selection, you will receive a message advising you to call...

I cannot get through to book an appointment and as I result I have a large telephone bill!

The first 20 seconds of the message that you hear is free to callers from BT landlines.  Mobile phone and other network providers do charge, however, and you may wish to check with them before making the call.  After the first 20 seconds charges apply to everyone, including those calling from BT landlines.

Are Greek passport holders eligible to travel visa free?

If you hold an electronic passport you may be eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  On April 5, 2010, Greece joined the 34 countires whose citizens are eligible to particpate in the Visa Waiver Program.  Visa free travel is available to those who meet the qualifying criteria which includes traveling for business or pleasure for less than 90 days for travelers who are not ineligible...

I am HIV postive and have previously required a waiver of ineligibility to travel to the United States. Can I now travel under the Visa Waiver Program?

If you will be traveling to the United States on or after January 4, 2010 and you are otherwise qualified to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you will not be required to apply for a visa even if you required a waiver of ineligibility in the past.  You may answer “No” to the question “Have you ever been afflicated with a communicable disease etc” on the ESTA registration...

If I travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program will I be required to register under ESTA?

Travelers entering the United States by air or sea are required to obtain travel authorization under ESTA before boarding the air or sea carrier.  Therefore, if you will be flying into the United States or arriving by sea, you will be required to register under ESTA.  Please note, however, that you must be eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in order to register under ESTA...

I am traveling before January 4, so how do the changes to HIV affect me?

If you are planning on traveling to the United States before January 4, 2010, you will be required to apply for a visa and waiver of ineligibility and should call the Operator Assisted Information Service for further information.  The change in the law applies only to travelers who will apply for admission into the United States from January 4, 2010 onwards.