Colpitts

Colpitts Newsletter March 2010

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Passport & Visa updates

Contact details for Visa and Passport enquiries

To ensure that visa and passport enquiries are dealt
with more efficiently please contact the following:

Phone: +44 (0) 131 226 0800

Please select option 5 for visa applications and ask for:

Main Contact: Alex Smith

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USA Mandatory Visa Requirements

From January 20th 2010, it will be mandatory for all passengers visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Programme to apply in advance for travel authorisation, from the US Customs and Border Protection’s Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

Airlines will not be permitted to allow you to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme, unless you have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Please ensure you apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before travel. In most circumstances a response is received within seconds, though for a small minority of passengers the decision may take up to 72 hours. If an ESTA is denied then the passenger must obtain a visa for their journey.

It is very important that you are accurate when you complete your ESTA application. Please type carefully and before you submit the application, please check the information you have provided for typing errors or mistakes. A mistake on your ESTA application could make it impossible to match your ESTA to your passport and this could result in you being unable to travel

Once granted, an ESTA authority is valid for 2 years (or less if the passport expires during this period). Before each new trip to the US, the passenger can update travel plans and contact details via the ESTA website, though this is not currently mandatory. If the traveller holds 2 valid passports and intends to use either for US travel on the Visa Waiver Program, they must complete an ESTA for both sets of passport details. If any of the traveller’s personal details change on the passport a new ESTA must be completed. If the traveller already holds a valid visa for the US, an ESTA is not required.

Please note if the traveller was born in the USA but does not hold a US passport by law they are considered eligible for a US passport and therefore should be travelling on one. If they do not intend to enter on a US passport they must carry with them a ‘loss of nationality’ letter, which can be obtained from the US Embassy. Entry will be refused by Immigration to anyone born in the USA who attempts to enter on a non-US passport who is not carrying this letter.

It is the passenger’s responsibility to make their application and ensure they have a valid travel authority before they travel. This will make the check-in process much easier for them. Those nationalities not eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program will need to process a visa before travel.

Submit your free ESTA Application at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

India
New additional supplementary form is now required for all applicants of Pakistan origin.

Algeria
Algeria is hosting the LNG (Liquid & Natural Gas) summit, on April 14th. The Consulate here is expected to prioritise requests for that event and process an additional 4,000 applications.

Those not attending the summit are advised to submit their applications well in advance of their travel dates to ensure clients’ intended departure dates are met.

Those attending the summit are advised ensure that they have the correct invitation for this event & to advise CIBT on their order form that this is their purpose of trip.

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