Expert: Roberto Gomes - 2/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am flying from London Heathrow to Auckland New Zealand. I have a stop in Los Angeles arriving at Terminal B and departing four hours later from Terminal 4 . I was told I should apply for a US visa - is this the case?

ANSWER: Dear Rob,

Depending on your passport nationality, you'll need a visa to transit the US.
If you would like to disclose such info I can give you more details.

Best Regards,
R. Gomes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I will be travelling with my wife - we are both travelling on British Passports.
Regards
Rob

Answer
Dear Rob,

UK passports with the "right of abode" label can enter/transit the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). In this case you'll need to get an Esta authorisation at

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

The carrier has to validate ESTA authorisation.

Under a temporary discretion up to/incl. 19 March 2010, passengers may be permitted entry   under the V.W.P. if ESTA authorisation has not been obtained, or if the carrier can not validate it. In some cases and depending on the transporting carrier, a I-94W 05/08) form may have to be filled out even if ESTA approval has been obtained.

Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
R. Gomes