So only just got a passport how do i get a visa for the USA, tourism only?
looked on us embassy site but a m8 said travel agents sorted it when he booked a holiday there.
If you are flying in yourself - you sort it out online b4 you go - $15 from memory. No idea about holiday firms.
Go here as it’s the official US web site, the others will do it but charge you more.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1
Don’t need a visa if going for less than 90 days, but you do need to visit the ESTA website to 'authorise your visit - all the info about it is here: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/united-states
Have fun
Fly to Mexico then jump the border make it a adventure holiday 
wheni was thinking i had to get visa nd looked like hassle i thought about going canada and hopping over to new york seeing as thats where i plan to go, lol
hack a government website looking for aliens and you might be lucky and get a free flight…
As mentioned above you simply need to fill out the online visa waiver form - ESTA it’s called. Be completely honest on it, and when you arrive at passport control in the American airport, make sure you are polite and serious. They absolutely do not stand for any sort of messing about, jokes or misbehaviour.
They’ll quite happily turn you around and send you home if they’re not happy - I’ve seen it happen.
Online - when they ask are you a terrorist - say no, even if you are, or they will not let you in. Same goes for the bit about being a communist, if they still ask that. Lie about any criminal record too.
Ive had to do this loads for work
The esta visa is a simple thing
Going to the embassy however isnt there are a few things you need to know
1 you need a different size photo but these can be got just up the road from the embassy at a chemist
2 you cannot take anything inside the embassy including keys,ipods,helmets,coins , headphones etc so good idea to have someone wait outside
3 you have to get there really early and wait outside in the cue so pick your day
the easiest way is using an agent they know all the ins and outs and usually will wait outside with all your bits
hope that helps
mikey
They ask about moral turpitude too, whatever that is. No idea, so just ticked “no” when filling in the form on the plane.
When going to Aus I was asked if I had a criminal record: Responded - Didn’t know you still needed one 
But Aussies do have a sense of humour…
+1
I always do this even though I got suspended from school for a fortnight in 1976 for being a communist subversive.
I’ve visited the USA 70 times in the sat 7 years.
If you are British passport holder going as a tourist for less than 90 days then you only need to do the esta online thing. Up until recently you also had to comete a green form on the plane, but you don’t do that any more.
You can also use the esta for certain Types of work (meetings etc).
If yu wanted to stay longer than 90 days or had more complicated work issues you might need a visa b1/b2 which would mean a trip to the US embassy.
when they ask arrested/convicted, got arrested about 18 yrs back but no conviction, very minor thing, should i say?
and no i have not got a criminal record, well maybe apart from the debbie gibson album i bought back in the 80’s
also do i have to give an address, i have got friends there so can give theirs but not going anywhere nr where they live
answering my own question, if i have not got a criminal record its not worth admitting the arrest is it?
No don’t mention the arrest - it’s not a criminal record (unlike anything by Debbie Gibson).
For the address they are looking for the address where you will spend your first night. So even if it isn’t true, have a hotel name and address in mind. Saying the “Marriott in Orlando” isn’t enough, try and give the street address. It doesn’t mean you have to stay there for the whole trip - you are allowed to change your plans, so it has always seemed a stupid restriction.
With the esta you have to provide the address you’lll stay at, but then that address won’t be valid for subsequent trips (and the esta lasts for 2 years) - they realise that, and it doesn’t matter. The immigration officer may ask for your address details also, so have that handy.
good advice, cheers people.
defo make sure you put an actual address, i saw my mate get taken to a back room because he didn’t know where we were all staying, eventually they sent someone out to find us and confirm we knew him and the name of the hotel. took fooking ages before that happened.
Also a big no on being arrested, not worth the hassle of trying to explain yourself.
It can be a nightmare trying to get a visa for the US. Particularly over the last 10 or more years. I think the general consensus is that patience is a virtue. A few years ago I had real issues with my working visa and I was travelling a lot. Got some good advice from these pages and soon they’ll be helping me relocate for good. I won’t even begin on the hassle I’ve had with that. It’s a very long story. Just glad I finally got some help and can now see a light at the end of the tunnel.