| The following information
is required by all passengers entering the USA. If however,
you are filming you will also need in addition a visa
and a carnet for your equipment.
From 4th October, 2005, all UK airlines
will need to supply the US Customs and Border Protection
Agency with Advanced Passenger Information (API) before
flights depart.
After the events of September 1, 200, security, especially
on airlines and at immigration increased significantly.
Airlines already had to supply the US authorities with
a limited amount of data (from machine-readable passports)
on their passengers before take-off. But due to additional
US regulatory and legislative requirements, airlines
will now have to provide even more information.
What you need to supply
- Full name (last name, first name, middle name if
applicable)*
- Date of birth*
- Gender*
- Country of residence*
- Travel document type (normally
passport and alien/permanent resident card if applicable)*
- Document number*
- Document country of issue*
- Document expiry date*
- Citizenship
- Address where you’ll be staying
in the US
- If you are in transit, your final destination.
*The details marked with an asterisk can be
taken from your machine-readable passport.
The details that you need to supply must
match the information that you provide
on the Visa
Waiver form onboard.
It will save time if you supply your airline
with the information required in advance,
before you arrive at the airport. Please
contact your airline for more details.
What happens to the information you supply
The airline will hold the information you
supply in their system, and shortly after
the flight has departed, will transmit the
information to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency.
The API data is checked against the combined
federal law enforcement database, known as the
Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS).
Names are also checked against the FBI National
Crime Information Center wanted persons database.
It will not be used for any other purpose.
What happens if you don't supply the API
If you refuse to supply the API, you will be
refused entry into the US, and therefore will
not be allowed to board the aircraft.
If you don't know the address where you're
staying
The US authorities require an address or an
indication of where you are staying:
If your accommodation will be allocated on
arrival Please provide the name and address
of your agent in the US.
If you are taking a fly-drive holiday
You should provide the name and location of the car hire company and your first
intended stopping point.
If you are transferring to a cruise ship
You should provide the name of the vessel and your port of embarkation.
If you are backpacking
You should provide an indication of where you will spend your first night.
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/ |