RobJenks

I'm proposing to make a quick round the world trip from Perth to Houston then onto London.
Am I correct in assuming that I get my entry visa to the States ,at the point of entry?

Blackscooby

If you hold a British passport you can get a visa Waiver form (I-94W) which is green. You complete this at immigration or before if you can. You are then allowed to stay for a period of 3 months I think as a visitor. (Not allowed to work).

If you are flying BA then you are given the appropriate forms on the plane.

The link below tells you all about it.

RobJenks

Thanks for that information Mark.
It should be ok as I travel on my British Passport.

slippyr4

If you're flying from, and hold a passport of, any country that is an ally of the united states (including australia, uk etc, not including libya, iraq etc), then you'll be offered a visa waiver form on the plane. You fill this out and hand it to the chap at immigration. You'll also need a customs declaration form. they'll give you this on the plane too. don't answer any of the questions with comedy answers, and don't joke with the immigration official else they'll send you back. they have no sense of humour.

I always find it funny when i fill out the visa waiver... there's a question something like "are you visiting the united states to carry out unlawful or terrorist activities?". the temptation is to tick yes, for a laugh, but this isn't wise.

Blackscooby

Even make sure you fill out the I94-W without spelling mitsakes as they even get shirty about that... At JFK they do anyway.

Humour ~ don't even try it....

Markus

Yeah, we had some jokers on the plane when we were flying to florida, they were not laughing when imigration got the right old hump with them!

johnfelstead

DO NOT MESS WITH US IMMIGRATION.

Believe me, even when legit they are a bunch of misserable ba$tards.

OH, dont ever say your there for a rally either, that just confuses the hell out of them, result is one bloody big search.

Lunchie

Rob

I lived in Houston for a few years and made quite a few trips through Houston. Always flew from London, therefore not sure if there's a direct flight from Perth (oil industry I presume?). Anyway, you'll have to pass through immigration on your entry to the US - even if its a connecting flight. If it is a direct flight, and you've not been to Houston before, I suggest you sit as close to the front of the plane as poss, fill in the I94 form on the plane, and when you arrive sprint off as the queues are just outrageous - over an hour is quite likely!

Lunchie


P.S. Just got back from first visit to Pertg - great city and more Scoobs than you can shake a stick at!

InvisibleMan

Dont even think it!...i'm sure they all have ESP!

Having said that, got stopped at Heathrow. There for 1+1/2hrs, full search, ripped open my suitcase...

Now, Tunisian immigration was a laugh. I was born in wales so he started telling 'lets take the pi$$ out of the welsh' jokes...in WELSH!!