Do I need a visa?
spitfire
I have heard from americans that all you need is a passport, but I know
mericans generally can go anywhere without one since no-one thinks theyll
want to become illegal immigrants.
I want to go there for a short time to visit my gf (she is there becuase her
father just passed away there)
David Cadogan
If it's the UK or America, you probably do need a visa.
By the way, it's usually a tit for tat situation - if your country demands I
have a visa to visit you, then my country will probably say that you need a
visa to visit me!
Brits don't need a visa to go to the US, so Americans don't need a visa to
come to the UK.
Of course I'm just talking about holiday visits, not working permits etc.
spitfire
Americans dont need a visa to come here but we do to go there.
Even 1 day would b fine
David Cadogan wrote in message ...
David Cadogan
you might get your answer.
http://visa.fco.gov.uk/cgi-bin/visa.cgi
When I tried it, it told me that you might not need visa entry clearance.
But try it yourself - you know your own circumstances better than anyone.
There's no need to sarcastic about posting to a UK site therefore you must
be intending to come to the UK - we are a very international lot here - you
could be from anywhere and going anywhere. One simply can't make too many
assumptions.
Hope you have a good time when / if you come here!
~martin~
wrote:
>Well I am posting to a Uk newgroup arent I?:-) (I want to go to UK)
Then enquire from the British Embassy in the country where you are.
thats what they are there for, and dont take what any of us say as
being gospel , things change fast.
martin
ian b
news:39956...@news1.mweb.co.za...
> Well I am posting to a Uk newgroup arent I?:-) (I want to go to UK)
>
Keith Willshaw
spitfire <t3mp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:39956...@news1.mweb.co.za...
> Well I am posting to a Uk newgroup arent I?:-) (I want to go to UK)
>
>
> Even 1 day would b fine
>
No you dont. The Visa Waiver program means you
fill in a green form on the plane and get entry for 90
days.
Keith
Malcolm Weir
<david_...@yahoo.co.uk> caused to appear as if it was written:
[ Snip ]
>By the way, it's usually a tit for tat situation - if your country demands I
>have a visa to visit you, then my country will probably say that you need a
>visa to visit me!
>
>Brits don't need a visa to go to the US, so Americans don't need a visa to
>come to the UK.
Errr... no.
Brits do need a visa to go to the US (but for a majority of visitors these
days this requirement is waived -- a feature that's only about 10 years
old).
Malc.
Insight
circumstances, such as a criminal conviction.
"Malcolm Weir" <ma...@gelt.org> wrote in message
news:2C0FDCE2417F06F0.ABA02E87...@lp.airnews.net...
Malcolm Weir
to appear as if it was written:
>Brits DO NOT need a visa to go to the USA unless there are special
>circumstances, such as a criminal conviction.
Please try to get a clue before making erroneous claims!
Think carefully: why do you think the US has a thing called a "Visa Waiver
Program" for Brits if Brits don't need a visa? How can one waive a visa if
one was never required?
As you yourself noted, there are some circumstances which make a visa
necessary. And, to quote the United States Department of Justice's
Immigration and Naturalization Service:
"Notice: The Visa Waiver Pilot Program ended on April 30, 2000 when the law
that authorized the program expired. The INS is waiting for Congress to
decide if the program will be renewed or reauthorized in another form. Until
that occurs, all foreigners traveling to the United States are advised to
contact the carrier (airline or sea carrier) they intend to use for
up-to-date instructions on whether or not they need to obtain a visa for
entry into the United States. "
And, moreover, the eligibility requirements are that you:
[ Begin Quote ]
Intend to enter the U.S. for 90 days or less;
Have a passport lawfully issued by a VWPP country that is valid for six
months beyond your intended visit;
Have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination other than a territory
bordering on the United States or an adjacent island (unless you are a
resident there);
Present to the Immigration Inspector a completed and signed Form I-94W,
Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form (Please see How Do I Get an
Arrival Departure Document? for more information about Arrival/Departure
Records.);
Not pose a safety threat to the U.S. and have no previous violation of U.S.
admission policy;
Arrive on a carrier that signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you
out of the U.S. if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable;
Waive your right to review or appeal an immigration officer's decision about
your admissibility, other than on the basis of an application for asylum;
and
Waive your right to challenge your removal, other than on the basis of an
application for asylum".
[ End Quote ]
Got that?
I'd particularly draw your attention to the "Arrive on a carrier" paragraph.
This is particularly relevant to Brits visiting the USA from Canada, for
example...
Compare this with the situation with regards to, say, the Czech Republic: no
visa is required there, and you couldn't get one anyway...
Iain Bowen
Insight <cd...@breathemail.net> wrote:
>Brits DO NOT need a visa to go to the USA unless there are special
>circumstances, such as a criminal conviction.
No, Malc is correct. The vast majority of british citizens need a visa
to go to the US, the requirement for a visa is currently waived in all
but exceptional circumstances such as a criminal record.
Iain
--
\/ Member of the UK Usenet Committee info at www.usenet.org.uk
Iain Bowen. in deepest B13. Also available at alaric(at)alaric.org.uk
"It was halfway to Rivendell on the edge of the Gladden when the drugs
began to take hold" Hunter S. Tolkien - Fear and Loathing in Barad-Dur
puff...@my-deja.com
<3DF1161E7CC0E284.BD77C941...@lp.airnews.net>,
Malcolm Weir <ma...@gelt.org> wrote:
> "Notice: The Visa Waiver Pilot Program ended on April 30, 2000 when
the law
> that authorized the program expired. The INS is waiting for Congress
to
> decide if the program will be renewed or reauthorized in another
form. Until
> that occurs, all foreigners traveling to the United States are
advised to
> contact the carrier (airline or sea carrier) they intend to use for
> up-to-date instructions on whether or not they need to obtain a visa
for
> entry into the United States. "
I just called the airline that I'll be travelling with on my next
vacation and they had no idea what the heck I was talking about. I
read out the text to them and the lady rep. disappeared for about five
minutes and said "Well, we have the relevant forms signed, so you can
use the visa waiver program when you fly with us."
I didn't think it was worth reiterating that technically this doesn't
exist any more. I'll give the US Embassy in the UK a call tomorrow to
see what they say is happening regarding this...
Regards, Ade.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
puff...@my-deja.com
> "Notice: The Visa Waiver Pilot Program ended on April 30, 2000 when
the law
> that authorized the program expired. The INS is waiting for Congress
to
> decide if the program will be renewed or reauthorized in another
form. Until
> that occurs, all foreigners traveling to the United States are
advised to
> contact the carrier (airline or sea carrier) they intend to use for
> up-to-date instructions on whether or not they need to obtain a visa
for
> entry into the United States. "
Further to my other comment on this, I've since come across some
information on the US Embassy, London web site. More information from:
-
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/faq_visafreetravel.htm
I notice that it doesn't say what sort of notice period that the
temporary arrangements can be removed if the legislation isn't renewed.
Lansbury
>all foreigners traveling to the United States are advised to
>contact the carrier (airline or sea carrier) they intend to use for
>up-to-date instructions on whether or not they need to obtain a visa for
>entry into the United States. "
Just spoken to United at LHR and as far as they are concerned the scheme
is operating as if the relevant legislation was still in force.
Lansbury
LHR (T2)
Keith Willshaw
> On Tue, 15 Aug 2000 22:45:27 +0100, "Insight" <cd...@breathemail.net>
caused
> to appear as if it was written:
>
> >circumstances, such as a criminal conviction.
>
>
> Think carefully: why do you think the US has a thing called a "Visa Waiver
> Program" for Brits if Brits don't need a visa? How can one waive a visa
if
> one was never required?
>
<Rest of Pedantic Rant snipped>
You are the one making erroneous claims
I have travelled to the US at least a dozen times
in the last 4 years, the last time in July this year.
I do NOT and have never held a US Visa
Ergo No Visa is required to visit the US as a tourist
or other visitor who complies with the terms
of the visa waiver program
Further the Visa Waiver means precisely that
They Waive the visa requirements for most
visitors
From Websters
Waive
4 a : to relinquish voluntarily (as a legal right) b : to refrain from
pressing or enforcing (as a claim or rule) : FORGO
Keith
Julian Fowler
<k.wil...@ascc.co.uk> wrote:
<snip>
>I have travelled to the US at least a dozen times
>in the last 4 years, the last time in July this year.
I have travelled to the US at least 60 times
in the last 10 years, the last time in April this year.
> I do NOT and have never held a US Visa
I do NOT and have never held a US Visa (the Visa Waiver program was
introduced about a month before my first venture across the pond).
>Ergo No Visa is required to visit the US as a tourist
>or other visitor who complies with the terms
>of the visa waiver program
Wrong. UK citizens are required to have a valid visa to enter the US.
That requirement is waived for certain visitors (tourists, business
travellers not intending to seek or enter into employment, etc., in
all cases for stays of less than 90 days).
>Further the Visa Waiver means precisely that
>
>They Waive the visa requirements for most
>visitors
Exactly!
>From Websters
>
>Waive
>4 a : to relinquish voluntarily (as a legal right) b : to refrain from
>pressing or enforcing (as a claim or rule) : FORGO
You've quoted the definitions that actually demonstrate that you are
wrong :-) At no stage has the US Govt stated that UK citizens do not
require a visa - that would be a *much* stronger statement that having
the *option* to waive the requirement in certain situations.
It is still possible to obtain a visitor visa for the US, and
immigration forms (white rather than green) are available for those
who chose to have a visa.
Sure, its pedantic, .... next question: explain the difference between
"zero rated for VAT" and "not rated for VAT" (its actually very
similar to the visa situation).
Julian
--
Julian Fowler
jul...@annie-bell.freeserve.co.uk
Keith Willshaw
Julian Fowler <jul...@annie-bell.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:m3tkpsok2gcqthta5...@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 16 Aug 2000 09:29:43 +0100, "Keith Willshaw"
> <k.wil...@ascc.co.uk> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> >I have travelled to the US at least a dozen times
> >in the last 4 years, the last time in July this year.
>
> I have travelled to the US at least 60 times
> in the last 10 years, the last time in April this year.
>
> > I do NOT and have never held a US Visa
>
> I do NOT and have never held a US Visa (the Visa Waiver program was
> introduced about a month before my first venture across the pond).
>
> >Ergo No Visa is required to visit the US as a tourist
> >or other visitor who complies with the terms
> >of the visa waiver program
>
> Wrong. UK citizens are required to have a valid visa to enter the US.
> That requirement is waived for certain visitors (tourists, business
> travellers not intending to seek or enter into employment, etc., in
> all cases for stays of less than 90 days).
>
This is self evidently incorrect since I did in fact legally enter
the USA WITHOUT a visa
Had I intended to work in the USA or breach the I would need a visa
Please note the opening sentence from the official US Government
Web Site dealing with this issue
http://www.travel.state.gov/vwpp.html
<Quote>
The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) enables citizens of participating
countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less
without obtaining a U.S. visa.
</Quote>
Keith
Julian Fowler
On Wed, 16 Aug 2000 15:50:48 +0100, "Keith Willshaw"
<k.wil...@ascc.co.uk> wrote:
>> Wrong. UK citizens are required to have a valid visa to enter the US.
>> That requirement is waived for certain visitors (tourists, business
>> travellers not intending to seek or enter into employment, etc., in
>> all cases for stays of less than 90 days).
>>
>
>This is self evidently incorrect since I did in fact legally enter
>the USA WITHOUT a visa
You're not reading this correctly. No-one is saying that you didn't.
The point is that the US Govt has not passed legislation that means
that UK Citizens can *by right* enter the US without a visa. The Visa
Waiver program means exactly what it says - the *requirement* to have
a visa is *waived* IF a traveller meets certain conditions. What you
are evidently missing is the difference between:
* a requirement that does not exist
* a requirement that has been waived
As someone else pointed out here, if the first of these was the case
then any UK citizen could enter the US and, as long as their proof of
citizenship was bone fide, the US Immigration Service could not refuse
entry. The visa waiver programme means that the Immigration Service
*can* (but does not have to) admit UK citizens not holding a valid
visa.
>Had I intended to work in the USA or breach the I would need a visa
>
>Please note the opening sentence from the official US Government
>Web Site dealing with this issue
>
>http://www.travel.state.gov/vwpp.html
>
><Quote>
>The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) enables citizens of participating
>countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less
>without obtaining a U.S. visa.
></Quote>
Nobody's arguing with that - but note that it says "enables"; there is
nothing here that gives citizens of participating countries the
*right* to enter the US without a visa.
As was pointed out earlier on in this thread, the US legislation that
brought in the visa waiver program expired earlier this year;
therefore, unless (as actually seems to be the case) the airlines and
the immigration service are operating *as if* the legislation had been
renewed, you and I and other citizens would not have the option of the
visa requirement being waived.
Malcolm Weir
><Rest of Pedantic Rant snipped>
Pedantic, perhaps. But also accurate.
>You are the one making erroneous claims
Bzzt! Wrong! But thank you for playing.
>I have travelled to the US at least a dozen times
>in the last 4 years, the last time in July this year.
>
> I do NOT and have never held a US Visa
Congratulations.
>Ergo No Visa is required to visit the US as a tourist
>or other visitor who complies with the terms
>of the visa waiver program
If you'd actually read the material I posted, you'd have discovered that,
say, a UK citizen travelling on a UK passport as a tourist from, say, Chile
on Lan Chile would be denied entry unless they had been previously granted a
visa...
>Further the Visa Waiver means precisely that
>
>They Waive the visa requirements for most
>visitors
Quite. THEY, and MOST being the operative words.
>From Websters
>
>Waive
>4 a : to relinquish voluntarily (as a legal right) b : to refrain from
>pressing or enforcing (as a claim or rule) : FORGO
Yup. The US refrains from enforcing the requirement to have a visa for some
people in some situations. This does not mean that there is no requirement,
merely that they refrain from enforcing same...
Canadian citizens, by contrast, DO NOT NEED a visa to visit the US.
>Keith
Malc.
Malcolm Weir
caused to appear as if it was written:
>> Wrong. UK citizens are required to have a valid visa to enter the US.
>> That requirement is waived for certain visitors (tourists, business
>> travellers not intending to seek or enter into employment, etc., in
>> all cases for stays of less than 90 days).
>This is self evidently incorrect since I did in fact legally enter
>the USA WITHOUT a visa
It certainly was correct! Had you read the rest of the paragraph, you'd
have seen the second sentence... which explains how you managed to enter the
country legally.
>Had I intended to work in the USA or breach the I would need a visa
If you had AIDS, for example, you would need a visa. They wouldn't grant
you one, though.
>Please note the opening sentence from the official US Government
>Web Site dealing with this issue
>
>http://www.travel.state.gov/vwpp.html
No, that's NOT the "official" US Government web site, that's the State
Department, busily encouraging foreign tourism.
Immigration policy is set and enforced by the US Department of Justice,
specifically the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
http://www.ins.gov/graphics/howdoi/vispilot.htm
><Quote>
>The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) enables citizens of participating
>countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less
>without obtaining a U.S. visa.
></Quote>
Quite. However, you are choosing, erroneously, to interpret that as meaning
"no visa required".
>Keith
Malc.
Keith Willshaw
>
> Nobody's arguing with that - but note that it says "enables"; there is
> nothing here that gives citizens of participating countries the
> *right* to enter the US without a visa.
>
Gee I naively believed the definition of enables means allows
you seem to have some other definition
Note that INS officials can refuse entry even if you have a visa.
There is no such thing as an absolute *right* for any alien
to enter the USA whether they hold a visa or not. I have seen
an INS official refuse entry to a visa holder on the grounds
that during his last visit he violated the terms of that visa
The absence of that *right* does not mean you need a visa
anymore than the fact that the British Government reserves
the right to refuse entry to foreign national means that they need
a visa to come here.
> As was pointed out earlier on in this thread, the US legislation that
> brought in the visa waiver program expired earlier this year;
> therefore, unless (as actually seems to be the case) the airlines and
> the immigration service are operating *as if* the legislation had been
> renewed, you and I and other citizens would not have the option of the
> visa requirement being waived.
>
Since I pointed out that I HAVE in fact entered since that
time that is evidently the case
Keith
Sloyne
Sloyne <slo...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>
> > Canadian citizens, by contrast, DO NOT NEED a visa to visit the US.
>
> status.
Oops! should have added "When crossing a common border". Meaning when
crossing the Canada USA border.
Sloyne.
Sloyne
> Canadian citizens, by contrast, DO NOT NEED a visa to visit the US.
Nor a passport, just proof of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant
status.
Sloyne
Keith Willshaw
> >The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) enables citizens of participating
> >countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or
less
> >without obtaining a U.S. visa.
> ></Quote>
>
> Quite. However, you are choosing, erroneously, to interpret that as
meaning
> "no visa required".
>
> >Keith
>
> Malc.
This degree of pedantry is tiresome
If you feel that there is sufficient difference between
'enabling visitors to enter a country without a visa'
And
'no visa being required to enter the country'
Then by all means declare a victory
Keith
Malcolm Weir
caused to appear as if it was written:
>This degree of pedantry is tiresome
Your continued insistance that gray is black or white is simply foolish.
>If you feel that there is sufficient difference between
>
>'enabling visitors to enter a country without a visa'
>
>And
>
>'no visa being required to enter the country'
>
>Then by all means declare a victory
There is a difference, and I've pointed out exactly where it is; I'm sorry
that you cannot or will not see the difference.
Once again, suppose you have a British citizen, travelling on a British
passport, as a tourist, for less than 90 days, and happen to be arriving
from (say) Chile on Lan Chile.
[ For example, if he was actually visiting Chile, and just stopping over in
the USA for a day or two on his return trip ]
If, as you erroneously and repeatedly claim, "no visa is required", then
this situation would enable the British tourist arriving from Chile to enter
the USA.
But actually, this tourist would NOT be able to enter the USA, simply
because he lacked the required visa (since Lan Chile is not participating in
the VWPP). The ONLY way he could travel via the USA is as a "passenger
without visa", strictly remaining airside in transit lounges.
Clear?
And yes, Keith, we know that you, on your hols, didn't arrive from Chile on
Lan Chile. But given that (happily) you do not represent all Britons, your
datum point doesn't prove your theory... the existance of one Briton (my
hypothetical tourist) is sufficient to disprove it, though.
>Keith
Malc.
Sloyne
> This degree of pedantry is tiresome
Thank you Keith, I was beginning to think it was just me becoming
cranky and impatient in my old age. Thanks again.
David Cadogan
David