USATourist Community

 Hello there,

 I regularly travel to Canada where I have a summer home and have made some very good friends (by the way I am from England, UK). Recently a couple of my Canadian friends who visit the USA from time to time, have suggested and are keen for me to also take the opportunity to go with them during my next summer visit, and tour some of sites of America with them for a week or so...............I never really thought about it before (having never been to the USA), but it does sound rather appealing given there experience of travelling across the States; anyway given all the security I wonder if it is just going to be an ordeal just to cross over at the road borders! I have heard of some horror stories!

My friends have there own car and being Canadian are also coming to terms with the now need to have passports where before they didn't. I of course have a British Biometric passport. I'm sure there are other USA related aspects/ considerations, that I would need to be aware of before I agree to go with them.........may be you can advise!

Many thanks in advance.

Best,
Laura

As a citizen of the UK, you can visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa as long as you have a biometric passport.  You are only required to obtain a travel authorization on the Internet.  Here is the web page for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.  You can obtain this authorization up to one year in advance. 

I believe that is all that is required, but it may be a bit different when coming across the Canadian/US border.  I suggest you contact a US Embassy and confirm this.

Thanks Mike for this. Taken your advice and completed details from the mentioned website. I understand this came into force earlier this year!

Bye for now.

Best wishes,
Laura