Speeding isn't ok if it results in a conviction ... we've been through the process in the last three weeks so know the cost ...

Speeding is OK as it is not a crime of moral turpitude - what the hell are crimes of moral turpitude - see here

Told you Atilla was the woman.

Unless, of course, he has a conviction (inc spent ones) for anything e.g. speeding [hard stare at own dh]

Hi,

Have just seen your question.

Do not panic!.

The UK is still within the US visa waiver scheme (these forms will be given to him on the plane. He will need to complete the green visa waiver form and a customs form).
He must ensure that when he departs the US the departure record (part of the green form will be stapled into his passport) is removed from his passport. This is normally done at check in.

What he does need to fill in online now is the ESTA which is the electronic travel authorisation. This needs to be done by your partner asap as it is a mandatory requirement.

Your partner must have his accommdation arranged for the first night - this is now insisted on by the American authorities.

ESTA is this web address:-

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

He must NOT use any other ESTA travel website, this is the official US govt one. It is free to apply.

He needs to fill out the form in georgies link..and when he gets to the UK airport he has to give an address of where he will be staying in the US. A random hotel is fine, but he needs to put something or the wont let him out of the UK.

thank god for this thread, DH and I fly out on Thurs!!!

That British Airways link says that passports issued before the 26 October 2005 are exempt from the e-passport requirement so don't panic. And it makes clear you can fill in the form on the plane or at the airport - on every flight I've ever been on to the US they just hand out the forms on the plane.
I would get your DH to ring the airline in the morning just to check.

and

PHEW!

thank you everyone.

File ME under "numpty"

OK he only needs an electronic passport if its a new one - presumably OK not to be electronic if an old one. I am sure you can just fill in the visa waiver form on the plane as I have done for years (last went Nov 07 and filled in on plane)

Visa free travelers, including children, entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) require individual machine-readable passports (MRP). This requirement has been in place since October 26, 2004.

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006 it must contain a digital photograph.

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006, it must be also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. Follow this link for an example of such a passport: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/contentmulti_image0021.shtm .