From 12 January 2009, British travellers flying to the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) need to register their details online with the US government.
Once you have registered, your details will be valid for two years, or as long as your passport remains unexpired (whichever is shorter).
Registering your Advance Passenger Information (API)
Your airline will usually ask you to supply the passenger details found on the machine-readable page of your passport (that is the page containing your photograph). You may be asked for your:
- full name
- date of birth
- gender
- passport number
- country that issued your passport
- date of passport expiration
You may also be asked for additional information – such as the address of your first night’s stay.
In most cases, if you do not provide your API in the time required, you may not be allowed to travel.
The API should not be confused with applying for a visa, or with any additional information needed by US passport control authorities, such as your country of residence and the address of where you will be staying in the US.
You can find out more about the US Visa Waiver Program by visiting the FCO website.
FCO travel advice – US
US Department of Homeland Security – Visa Waiver information
Registering with ESTA
Registration on the US Electronic Travel System (ESTA) is mandatory. The US Department for Homeland Security suggests that registration take place no less than 72 hours before travelling. However, you can submit your details any time before travelling to the US.
Currently there is no charge for registering with ESTA. However, some websites do charge for this service, so be aware of this when you apply.
US Electronic system travel authorization (ESTA)
British travellers who have not registered on ESTA before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home.
Note: For passports issued on or after 26th October 2006 it must be an “e-Passport”. An e-Passport is similar to a traditional passport, except that it contains a small, integrated computer chip embedded in the back cover. The chip stores the traveller’s biographic information, a digital image of the passport photograph, a unique chip identification number and a digital signature to protect the stored data from tampering.
If the passport was issued between 26th October 2005 and 25th October 2006, the passport must contain a digital photograph of the traveller and be machine-readable. A machine-readable passport contains two lines of text (including letters, numbers and chevrons) at the bottom of the passport’s biographic page. When scanned through a passport reader, the machine-readable text electronically communicates the biographic information contained in the passport.
If the passport was issued before 26th October 2005, it must be machine-readable in order for the foreign national to be eligible for Visa Waiver Program travel.
To make you journey as comfortable as possible why not check out our Personal Flight Kit for Women or our Eye Mask and Ear Plug Travel Set.
Who to contact about travelling to the US
If you have any questions, you are strongly advised to contact the US Embassy in London before your travel. The Visa Information line is 0904 245 0100 (calls are charged at £1.20 per minute).
