US imposes another obstacle on Britons crossing the Atlantic

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Title – US imposes another obstacle on Britons crossing the Atlantic
Source – The Independent
Date – 12th July 2008

I have commented on this story before in this Blog, but as the start date approaches we are keen to help publicise this change and encourage people to use the new system as soon as possible after the 1st August start date. That way more people become familiar with the idea of preregistering their details before they set off for the States.

We could add to the argument about how this new layer of bureaucracy is yet more of an imposition on traveller to the USA, one that we in the UK don’t demand from traveller from the USA; but that is for different people on a different blog to discuss.

As travel safety specialists and facilitators of travel advice our role in this case is simply to advise people on the changes to the system, so they are not caught out on their day of travel. This is also the responsibility of your travel agency or airline, but undoubtedly there will be times when the message does not get across. This is especially a concern for regular travellers to the USA who will be very familiar with the simple visa-waiver programme that allowed you to fill out a customs and entry card on your flight.

There are some advantages to this new system; you will no longer have to scramble for a pen half way through a flight when the person next to you is asleep and blocking your access to the overhead locker. More importantly we are told that an approved application will remain valid for two years, so regular visitors or anyone entering the country more than once in that period will not have to fill in the form each time they travel to the USA. There is the danger that from January 2011 some people will be caught out by forgetting to renew their registration once the initial 2 year period is over; but that is a warning or reminder for another day… or another year.

Just remember, you have to fill the form in at least three days before you travel, we strongly recommend you fill it in as soon as you buy your ticket. This will ensure it is not forgotten in the excitement leading up to your trip and in the scramble to get packed and sort out all those other last minute details.

Our Safe Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop provides candidates with travel and personal safety advice as well as all the information they will require to prepare and execute their trip successfully. This includes examining the documentation and visa requirements for the destination(s) they plan to visit.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.