Anyone travelled/travelling to the USA recently

Sammysmiths

Sammysmiths

Well-known member
We've booked New York for April 18th to 22nd but im lost in the minefield of Covid requirements and passport requirements.
We're flying with Virgin Holidays.

Do we need video/witnessed covid tests the day before travel? If so, how do we do this?
My daughters passport expires in July. Entry to the USA states you only need the duration of the stay valid on your passport but im worried Virgin might require 6 months remaining? Ive tried to contact them but spent hours on hold.
Many thanks
 
Sammysmiths said:
We've booked New York for April 18th to 22nd but im lost in the minefield of Covid requirements and passport requirements.
We're flying with Virgin Holidays.

Do we need video/witnessed covid tests the day before travel? If so, how do we do this?
My daughters passport expires in July. Entry to the USA states you only need the duration of the stay valid on your passport but im worried Virgin might require 6 months remaining? Ive tried to contact them but spent hours on hold.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Most countries require you to have a minimum of 6 months on your passport. If I was you, I would be getting all her details and book an appointment at the passport office in Durham. I had to do this last year and was longer drinking coffee in the pub opposite than I was in the office. The passport was back within the week.
 
Going the week after you , so called in travel agent and yes you have to do a verified covid test the day before you travel . Depending on where you live there are several companies do tests , but it will cost you .
 
Sammysmiths said:
We've booked New York for April 18th to 22nd but im lost in the minefield of Covid requirements and passport requirements.
We're flying with Virgin Holidays.

Do we need video/witnessed covid tests the day before travel? If so, how do we do this?
My daughters passport expires in July. Entry to the USA states you only need the duration of the stay valid on your passport but im worried Virgin might require 6 months remaining? Ive tried to contact them but spent hours on hold.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
We just got back from NYC a few weeks back. Video monitored covid test within a day of travelling, think it was £40 each by a company recommended by Virgin. No test coming back. Everywhere we went in NYC you had to provide vaccination status, even for a coffee etc. think they might have stopped that now. No tests on way back but needed to fill in a passenger locator form which we only found out about at check in so had a carry on trying to fill it out on our phones. Also need the ESTA and some passenger declaration for USA.
 
If it’s any consolation my head was battered trying to pick through the requirements, as some stuff online is now outdated. We’d also recalled through France and back through Germany uneoxectly so had their rules to take into account too.

Project Screen was the testing company, set you up with a Zoom call with some offshore firm, they watch you do a test then send you a PDF. Money for old rope but ticks the box.
 
Sammysmiths said:
We've booked New York for April 18th to 22nd but im lost in the minefield of Covid requirements and passport requirements.
We're flying with Virgin Holidays.

Do we need video/witnessed covid tests the day before travel? If so, how do we do this?
My daughters passport expires in July. Entry to the USA states you only need the duration of the stay valid on your passport but im worried Virgin might require 6 months remaining? Ive tried to contact them but spent hours on hold.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Check with he airline as most insist on 6 months as a mandatory.

I went in November and it was with covid heavy with passes etc but I understand it’s a lot more relaxed now.
 
Boots do an in-person antigen test (you don't need a PCR) that is perfectly acceptable for entry to the US. Has to be done the day before travel (or day of travel) but the turn around time is less than 2 hours so it's all good. Again, I'd get to Durham and get that passport sorted if I were you.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
Most countries require you to have a minimum of 6 months on your passport. If I was you, I would be getting all her details and book an appointment at the passport office in Durham. I had to do this last year and was longer drinking coffee in the pub opposite than I was in the office. The passport was back within the week.
Click to expand...
I would agree with this I think it’s risky with a passport under 6 months you really should check
 
TurnbullsCans said:
We just got back from NYC a few weeks back. Video monitored covid test within a day of travelling, think it was £40 each by a company recommended by Virgin. No test coming back. Everywhere we went in NYC you had to provide vaccination status, even for a coffee etc. think they might have stopped that now. No tests on way back but needed to fill in a passenger locator form which we only found out about at check in so had a carry on trying to fill it out on our phones. Also need the ESTA and some passenger declaration for USA.
Click to expand...
You don’t have to do that in NYC anymore but a business may choose to require
It.
 
The boots lateral flow/antigen should be enough and it’s results will be forwarded to you as an official certificate that you can add to your boarding pass details or VeriFLY app.. It’s £30 each though.. did you get an ESTA?
It all feels overwhelming but just take your time and make a list to tick off do you don’t miss anything you need to do..
Coming back is a lot easier now than while I was out there when they added a new test to return…
 
We’ve got ESTA yes. But it goes alongside each passport. If I have to get a new passport for my daughter, I’ll have to apply for a new ESTA
 
Don't worry about the 6 months ruling, it doesn't apply going to the US. Myself and other family members have flown there with just weeks left on the passport. With Virgin as well.
 
I've just read this and it seems the 6-month requirement doesn't apply to the United Kingdom.

​

Passport validity and the "at least six months" rule​


For certain nationalities, the passport or other travel document must be valid for at least six months beyond the proposed stay in the United States. The six-month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports.
If you will be applying for a visa using a passport of a different nationality, please click here to find out if the validity requirement applies.
If you are traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program and your passport is not valid for 90 days, you will be admitted until the date on which the passport expires.
If your passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application.

uk.usembassy.gov

Passport and Travel Documents

uk.usembassy.gov uk.usembassy.gov
 
It doesn’t but as I said it’s up to the airlines as to what they will accept as expired ppt holders overstaying cost airlines big fines so many insist on this buffer.

Always check with your airline before you fly as they make the rules.
 
After a 40 minute hold (probably premium rate!!) they have stated that they advise 6 months but have to go with gov guidance. Then came the faff that is understanding the various covid tests that each country require! Now all sorted .
 
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