passport chip
- Passports must be valid for 6 months after departure date
- Passport information and a copy of photo and details page to be submitted January 2018
- Parents/carers/pupils must inform Mrs Bernstein if you are applying for a new passport. Date of submitting passport application should be given.
- You can use your child passport until it expires, even if you’re over 18.
- All passports must be the micro chipped versions (see below).
- Details on how and when to apply for their visa will be given two months prior to departure.
Please read the following information:
Many of you may already be aware of changes to the USA Visa Waiver programmed which means that all UK passengers travelling to the USA must be in possession of an e-Passport that contains the microchip and the e-passport symbol (as above).
To protect ourselves, we advising all parents/carers and pupils of this current requirement, so they can avoid being refused entry in to the USA.
The following information has been sent from the tour company:
“When travelling to the US you must have the correct passport to travel on the Visa Waiver Programme or have obtained the correct visa, valid for your stay. Each person wishing to visit the US must have either; i) an e-passport (if your passport is issued after 26 October 2006), or a machine readable passport (containing a digital photograph) if your passport is issued after the 26 October 2005 and a Visa Waiver Form or ii) a valid passport and a valid visa which must be obtained before travel from the US authorities. The US authorities require passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for electronic travel authority on the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). If you have not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel you may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at the U.S. port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the Visa Waiver Programme guarantees admission to the US. As with most countries, the final decision is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. You can apply online by completing the application form at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and paying a fee. If you are refused boarding or denied admission at the U.S. port of entry, you will still be subject to our cancellation charges in accordance with the terms of our contract with you. For additional specifics about the Visa Waiver Programme please consult the Visa Waiver Programme information on the U.S. Embassy London website www.usembassy.org.uk. We recommend that you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel and recommend you register at least 72 hours before departure. Please Note: when you register for ESTA you must have a valid passport at the time of registration and for any travel to the USA your passport must be an e-Passport that contains the microchip and the e-passport symbol. If you have applied for a post dated passport (for example to reflect a change in name) this passport will not be valid until the effective date noted in the passport. Children and minors wanting to travel with a Visa Waiver Form must hold their own machine readable passport or e-passport.
Please note that the nationals of some countries can only travel to the US if they have a valid visa as they are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme. There is a $14 fee per person charge which is payable by credit or debit card when applying. As announced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this fee will recover the costs incurred by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. This is subject to change.
Please note that the nationals of some countries can only travel to the US if they have a valid visa as they are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme. There is a $14 fee per person charge which is payable by credit or debit card when applying. As announced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this fee will recover the costs incurred by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. This is subject to change.
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