Applying for visas

[SidB]

Will the introduction of the requirement for a visa put you off going to the states ?

Even though I'm sure I'd get one no problem, I won't be applying. Even though I live fairly close to London it would still cost me something like £300 for the family (including travel etc).

I think that the Bush administration will be shooting itself in the foot. How much does each British visitor contribute to the American economy, which seems to be in freefall ? After our next holiday, which we've already booked for April, we won't be going back.

Like I say, there are plenty more countries in the world. Where next ? Thailand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Australia, Morocco. That's my list.

 

[Red-Snapper]

If your passports are due to expire soon then just renew them now and it wont cost you £300 and you wont need a visa. If they are not due to expire in the next 12 months then you havent got a problem.

What exactly are you stressed about ??

 

[SidB]

It's not only the cost, but also the extra security being put in place. I have absolutely no problem with being checked at the airport. I understand the concerns involved. On our trip last year, when I travelled with my children, I was searched 5 times before I stepped on American soil, and it took hours. However on the way back I was practically waved though at Orlando airport, being searched only once. Wouldn't it have an immense impact on the American economy if a plane was hijacked and flown into WDW ? What if I had wanted to fly that same plane into Canary Wharf ?

I recently flew to Thailand via Qatar and didn't have as much agro, even though I was flying with my wife. That didn't sound right, but you get the idea. Perhaps I look more like a terrorist than a drug smuggler.

I'm not stressed by the situation, just annoyed at the heavy handed way that the British are being treated. We are supposed to be allies in the war against terror.

 

[martina857]

Sorry but I find what you have to say confusing!!

I would far rather be held up by security checks at all airports for a few hours than find someone on the plane was trying to hijack it or worse.

Surely the checks are for everyones benefit!!

 

[vernon]

I don't , per se, have any problem with raised security or the time delays that causes. I do tend to agree that it seems to be a little one sided, as Sid points out the security to get into the US seems a lot tougher than the security to fly internally or out of the US. Given that 9/11 was done using planes on domestic flights that does seem a little myopic.

Saying that, I don't believe that as Brits and supporters of Americas actions of late that we deserve preferential treatment over and above any other countries.Our lax immigration and asylum policies coupled with our unwillingness to do anything about the extremists that try to recruit potential terrorists to their cause are plenty reason to include Britain as a potential source for the next 9/11.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by SidB
I'm not stressed by the situation, just annoyed at the heavy handed way that the British are being treated. We are supposed to be allies in the war against terror.

I don't think the British are being treated in a heavy-handed way. In fact I think the opposite is true as UK citizens will continue to be able to use the Visa Waiver scheme, potentially until 2014, at a time when other foreign nationals will have to go through the extra step of applying for a visa. There's been a lot of hand-wringing in the press in the last few days about biometrics, visas, fingerprints, etc. I think much of this is unwarranted. The arrangements that US Immigration & Homeland Security are putting in place will add very little inconvenience (perhaps too little?) to entering the US, and potentially could save us from terrible attacks on innocent people.

Although Vernon will have more experience of internal flights in the US than I have, I have to say that the last two internal flights I've taken (a short hop SF-LA and LA-NY) the security has been at least equal to international flights I've taken.

Regards

Rob

 

[SidB]

Blimey, this one's getting out of hand. I didn't mean to start a heavy political arguement, just get a view on how people on these boards feel.

I've always told friends what an experience going to the USA, and Orlando in particular, can be, especially for kids, big and small. Since this whole visa issue has arisen several of them have said they're going elsewhere instead. Despite all of the publicity a lot of people are assuming that they will need a visa and making their plans to go elsewhere.

Why aren't these measures coming in straight away, after all we've been on amber alert until recently. Am I being a cynic when I think that we're waiting until the school holiday rush is over ? If it's not that urgent, why not wait until our authorities have got the new style passports in place ?

I should emphasize that I think that security should be tight on all flights, internal or international, to the USA or elsewhere.

Immigation is a slightly seperate issue. I honestly can't see many Brits wanting to go to the States to work as an illegal. If the visa waiver system will be in place potentially until 2014, why not wait until next year

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by SidB
I've always told friends what an experience going to the USA, and Orlando in particular, can be, especially for kids, big and small. Since this whole visa issue has arisen several of them have said they're going elsewhere instead. Despite all of the publicity a lot of people are assuming that they will need a visa and making their plans to go elsewhere.

This is exactly my point. The changes being proposed are relatively minor for UK visitors, and all seem sensible. We have plenty of notice that these changes are coming. The new regulations will not add more than a minute or two to entry procedures when you arrive at in the USA. In theory there should be no problem at all. However, because of the sensationalist way in which this has been reported by the press we have, as Sid points out, a lot of people thinking that it will be a major hassle to visit the USA and possibly changing their travel plans. It's all very unfortunate!

Regards

Rob

 

[uksaint]

Originally posted by rob@rar.org.uk
The new regulations will not add more than a minute or two to entry procedures when you arrive at in the USA. In theory there should be no problem at all.

Whilst the potential problems with Visa requirements have been hyped up by the media, US immigration is already a nightmare. It is not unheard of to spend 45-60 mins in the immigration hall. It might not seem much if the new procedures only add a minute or two, but multiply that by the 30 people in front of you in the queue and thats potentially another hour.

Two hours in immigration with screaming, tired kids after a 10 hour flight. Hmmmm, I love holidaying in America, but if it weren't for Disney (and family)...I might be tempted to start looking elsewhere.

Andy

 

[Red-Snapper]

I am lost now. Sid you started this thread talking about the Visa situation, the cost involved and asking who was going to stop visiting America because of it.

Now it seems your concern is not that at all but some problem with increased security.

I can understand given their previous unshakeable belief that their country was the land of the free and loved/envied by everyone, why they now regard anyone entering their country with suspision.

I saw an interview the other day with an American official who mentioned that in the first day of finger print and photo identification of non-visa waiver entrants they caught 28 people trying to enter on illegal passports - which I am sure given the current climate is seen as justification for even tighter security for people entering their country.

I for one dont mind some minor inconvieniance if it helps to deter even 1 potential terrorist.

Also- even at the height of the security scares I never had to wait more that half an hour in the immigration hall at Orlando. the biggest delay of the holiday is always the wait for the bags when we get back to Gatwick

 

[edie w]

We arrived and left through MCO last October and the security screening was just the same on the way in as on the way out. As far as I can see, this is a good thing.

Immigration was a breeze, with a lovely immigration officer, and the security people were also very human and pleasant, especially on the way home when my nephew (7) set off the alarm with a neck chain. The really annoying bit was baggage reclaim and interminable queue at the car rental place - but what's new?

I also can't see what the problem is with the new rules about having either a machine-readable passport or a biometric passport.

If you already have a machine-readable passport valid til 2006, you will be able to get a biometric one when it expires. No problem.

If you have one which expires before October 2004 you will get a machine readable one valid til 2014. Also no problem.

The only problem is if you have one expiring between October 2004 and end 2005. You might not be able to get a biometric one (although even that is not certain). So apply early, get one before October 2004 and there STILL won't be a problem.

There has been, unsurprisingly, a knee-jerk reaction to this, apparently based on some newspapers' scare-mongering headlines. It would indeed be a shame if the British stopped visiting America because they are ill-informed.

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by Red-Snapper
I saw an interview the other day with an American official who mentioned that in the first day of finger print and photo identification of non-visa waiver entrants they caught 28 people trying to enter on illegal passports

Am I missing something here or is this just spin ? How can a passport be identified as illegal by taking someones fingerprints and photograph ?

Red-Snapper, yes I got a bit lost with the discussion. I like a lot of people associate immigration and security as the same thing.

One thing that I can't understand is why was I searched when I reached Orlando ? I know I'm a cynic, but I take that to mean that the Americans don't think our security is good enough.

Now that I'm on my high horse, the American people think it's OK to fund terrorism if it doesn't effect them. Just think about the fund raising for the IRA.

I think it's a great pity if this puts anybody else off going to the USA. I'd be interested to see whether there's any effect on tourism in the next couple of years.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by SidB
Am I missing something here or is this just spin ? How can a passport be identified as illegal by taking someones fingerprints and photograph ?

...

Now that I'm on my high horse, the American people think it's OK to fund terrorism if it doesn't effect them. Just think about the fund raising for the IRA.

I think the fingerprints and phtograph are more to do with being able to track people as the enter and leave the country rather than checking if the passport is legal or not.

I'm sure you don't mean to say that ALL Americans think its "OK to fund terrorism if it doesn't affect them"! Isn't this a bit of an unfortunate generalisation? The number of people who contribute to NORAID is an incredibly small proportion of the US population.

Regards

Rob

 

[Red-Snapper]

Can't imagine it is spin tbh - the guy was in a live televised interview and was a spokesman for the American Homeland Defence (or whatever they are calling it).

i dont know any more details than that other than he said 28 people had been caught using false passports as these did not match the fingersprint/photo info they had.

I assume they were using valid passports that had been stolen where the biometric detail did not match those of the person trying to pass through immigration.

Anyway I have to second Rob's comments and those mentioned by edie.

When we took the in-laws 2 years ago they got stopped and searched while we werent stopped even though we were with them. I think they do it on numbers through the gate unless you look suspicious. It was their first time to America and it certainly didnt put them off - they are now making hints about coming with us again

As to if they trust us or not - Richard Reed was of course British and using a valid passport.

I really cant see that heightened security etc will put many off going on holiday to America - I think you are in a minority Sid but then that is your choice - from some of your comments I am not entirely sure you get on with our American cousins anyway

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by Red-Snapper
As to if they trust us or not - Richard Reed was of course British and using a valid passport.

I am not entirely sure you get on with our American cousins anyway

Sorry, I guess I'm coming over all wrong. In the 3 times I've been to Orlando I've never had a problem with any Americans. If only I could say the same about some of the Brits. No seriously I've enjoyed meeting the American public, and had some real good experiences.

About Richard Reed, didn't they have specific intelligence about him and seat him with a "Sky Marshal" ? What did he get charged with ? It should have been 300ish counts of attempted murder in my opinion.