Going to the US - what do I need?

[SR7492]

As title, travelling to the US for the first time on September but not quite sure on entry requirements.

Can someone help me out?

I know I need to register for the ESTA, however, do I need to apply for a VISA based on my passport?

My passport is valid till August 2014; but does not have the 'chip' on it.

Slightly confused.

Thanks in advance

[RedWhiteMonkey]

SR7492 said:

As title, travelling to the US for the first time on September but not quite sure on entry requirements.

Can someone help me out?

I know I need to register for the ESTA, however, do I need to apply for a VISA based on my passport?

My passport is valid till August 2014; but does not have the 'chip' on it.

Slightly confused.

Thanks in advance

If you're just going on holiday the ESTA is your visa, it will be linked to your passport. You don't need a chipped passport, just a valid passport. Complete the ESTA online, pay the fee and you should get an acceptance more or less straight away.

[SR7492]

Thank you

Sounds easy enough

USA . . . here I come!

[Matt Harper]

It's a UK passport, right?

[SR7492]

Yep

BTW I might have a evening or two to unwind, anything interesting that will be worth doing?

I'll be in San Jose.

Thanks

[The Don of Croy]

SR7492 said:

Yep

BTW I might have a evening or two to unwind, anything interesting that will be worth doing?

I'll be in San Jose.

Thanks

Well, it's a big place so it rather depends on what floats your boat.

For me, it's the daily routine things that highlight the differences - shopping in a supermarket (see the range of zero-fat milk on offer or try to find full fat milk), eating in a restaurant (the servings can be gargantuan), the pleasantries exchanged between strangers (except in big cities - city people are less relaxed).

If you can seek out the big attractions - you'll find they do it big like no-one else.

Best to leave UK style cynicism at home - they don't do irony too well, especially with strangers.

Hope you have a great time.

[SR7492]

Well I'm not much of a shopper, rather more adventerous so if they have any evening fun parks going on then that'll be great.

Might do a search to see what attractions there are.

The Don of Croy said:

Best to leave UK style cynicism at home - they don't do irony too well, especially with strangers.

appreciate the heads up; will defo keep myself to limited words.

The Don of Croy said:

If you can seek out the big attractions - you'll find they do it big like no-one else.
Hope you have a great time

Thank you; really looking forward to it though the flight path kinda scares me when you look at it from a map; aaaaaaaaaall that way from London to San Francisco. In flight entertainment should kill the time!