Passport & Visa

Most British Citizen passport holders do not need a visa to visit the US if they intend to stay there for less than 90 days.

When travelling to the US, including those within the Visa Waiver Programme, you must present a Machine Readable Passport upon arrival at Immigration.  In addition to this, if you hold a passport issued on or after 26 October 2005, you must have a Machine Readable Passport containing a digitalised picture on the details page.  

What does this mean for You?

• Anyone intending to enter the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) must now present a Machine Readable Passport (MRP) at Immigration.
• Anyone entering the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) with passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 must present a machine readable passport with a digitalised photograph on the details page.  Passports containing photographs that are glued or laminated will not be accepted for travel. 
• If you hold a passport issued before 26 October 2005 you are exempt from needing a digitalised photo, however, you must still be in possession of a machine readable passport to be able to enter the US.
• Anyone travelling to the USA with a non-machine readable passport will require a valid US entry visa, even if you are a citizen of a country within the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
• Children travelling on a parent's passport (be it machine readable or non-machine readable) cannot benefit from the Visa Waiver Programme.  

Applying for a US visa is a lengthy process which can take several weeks.  Therefore, it is strongly recommended that:

• All Visa Waiver nationals who hold a non-machine readable passport should obtain a machine readable passport before their next visit to the USA.
• Children travelling on their parent's passport should obtain their own machine readable passport prior to travelling to the USA.  

If you arrive at the airport and do not have the correct documentation you will be refused travel.  If this is the case, the rules of the ticket purchased still apply.  If you hold a restricted ticket which is non changeable, non refundable, you will be bound by the rules of the ticket and will be required to purchase a new ticket before you can travel.

Further information can be obtained from:
The Visa Section at the American Embassy, 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE. (0207 499 9000)

Other nationals please check before travelling as to which documents are required.

For more travel advice visit www.fco.gov.uk and got to ‘Travel Advice by Country’.

Vaccinations

There are currently no requirements for British citizens. Please check with your GP or visit www.dh.gov.uk
Currency - The local currency in the USA is the dollar ($) – there are six banknotes: €1, €5, €10, €20, €50, and €100, and four coins: 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter) cent. ATM’s (cash machines) are generally available in most tourist areas, but ask your British bank about withdrawal charges as these can be heavy, especially if you withdraw only a small amount of cash. Travellers’ cheques are still the safest way to carry money and are best taken in dollar denominations. Please note your passport is likely to be required when cashing travellers’ cheques. Remember to make a record of the cheque numbers and keep this record totally separate in case the cheques are lost. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in the tourist areas. Remember to make a record of your credit card number and the emergency phone number for cancelling your card, should you lose it. If possible, take a mixture of cash and travellers’ cheques with you and remember not to carry all your credit cards, money, passport and travellers’ cheques when going out and about.

Local time

Las Vegas is on Pacific Standard Time so is 8 hours behind the United Kingdom.

Tourist Information

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (001 702 892 0711).

British Consulate General, San Francisco
1 Sansome Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104 (001 415 617 1300).

British Consulate General, Los Angeles
11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90025-6538 (001 310 481 0031).

Mobile phones

If you want to use your phone, ensure that the roaming facility is activated before you go.

Personal Safety

Please note the following:

• Leave all valuables, passports, tickets, credit cards and money etc in the hotel safe; only carry with you what you need for that day.
• Be aware of pickpockets, especially in tourist areas, on public transport, markets etc.
• When leaving a car, do not leave anything visible.
• If anything is stolen, please ensure you receive a police report.

For further detailed information on specific destinations, please visit the Foreign Office website.