Please note that soon, everybody aged 16 or over applying for their first
passport will need to have an interview as part of the application process.
The interview will confirm that the passport application we have checked belongs
to you and that you are the rightful owner of that identity.
This new process will increase the time it takes for your
application to be processed.
What is a machine readable passport?
A machine readable passport has the holder's personal details eg name, date of birth, nationality and passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine.
Are all the 'new style' passports machine readable?
No. Although most of the 'new style' British passports issued in the UK since 1988 will be machine readable, those issued outside the UK may not be.
How do I know if I have a machine readable passport?
There are 2 lines of letters, numbers and '>'s printed at the bottom of the personal information page. On older machine-readable passports look for a white strip at the bottom of the page containing your personal details/photograph; in the newer machine-readable passports look for these lines on the pink page. If there are no lines of text on the white strip or the pink page then your passport is NOT machine-readable. Anyone travelling after October 26, 2005, and who is travelling on a passport issued after that date, will be required to obtain a US Visa.
For up-to-date information, please contact the British Passport Office on 0870 5210410 or www.ukpa.gov.uk or the US Embassy on 020 7499 9000 or www.usembassy.org.uk.
My child is on my passport. Is this ok?
ALL CHILDREN including newborn babies, MUST now have their own individual passport.
NB: Some destinations require a letter of authority if children are not accompanied
by both legal guardians.
Please note: If you turn up for your flight with an invalid passport or no visa
when you need one we will be very sympathetic but…YOU CANNOT BOARD THE FLIGHT.
How much does a new passport cost?
An adult's new passport currently costs from £33 and a child's new passport currently costs from £19.
For further information please contact the British Passport Office on 0870 5210410 or www.passport.gov.uk or info@passport.gov.uk.
What should I do if I cannot, or choose not to apply for a machine readable passport?
You will need to obtain a US entry visa. Same day visa applications are not possible.
In the UK, visa applicants are required to obtain visa application form DS-156 either by down loading from the US embassy website (www.usembassy.org.uk), calling 09055 444546 (1.30 per minute) or sending a stamped, self-addressed A-4 sized envelope with 28p postage to:
United States Visa Forms,
P.O. Box 499 Leeds,
LS31XU.
Complete supplemental visa application form DS-157 (see above). One set of forms is required for each adult, child and infant requiring a US visa. You should be aware that once you have completed the application forms, you will be asked to attend an interview at the US Embassy. This process will therefore take a minimum of 6-8 weeks.
After the interview the passport and visa will be posted back to the applicant within 5 working days.
The current cost for adults is £67 per visa and for children £60 per visa.
Useful sources of further Visa Information: