Hi All
I just thought I would share my experience on travel into American earlier this week as a UK Citizen in case any others are thinking of doing similar during the current restrictions
I travelled to USA on my own this week as my Wife was already in America due to family death and I was following her out, a little nervous as she was not with me.
Pre travel I got my Covid Test at East Midlands Airport (close to me) for a fee of 59 and results were with me within minutes
I also had to upload a document to a fit-to-travel site to confirm why I should be allowed to leave the UK, there are a few options on here and one of them was for funeral. This is quick and simple to do, I then got an email from United Airlines to say that was ok.
On arrival at Heathrow you can not check in advance as you have to confirm the following
1) Are you travelling on ESTA or VISA
2) Show a copy of your Covid Test
3) Inform why you are travelling. In my case was funeral. I did not have to show any evidence of this but had a copy of death certificate sent to me as I understand you can be stopped by officials and be asked to show this.
On informing it was ESTA I was told that this was on Hold so would have to go and talk to a USA Border Security person. He came over to me and quizzed me why I was travelling, and required evidence of my Marriage to my wife for which I produced our wedding certificate and also importantly a copy of her Passport. After what seemed along wait whilst he was on the Computer he came back to me and quizzed me a bit more basically about my previous trips into America under a work Visa which I told him this was all social no work. He then let me proceed to check in desk.
Similar questions there and as I was on ESTA the lady had to make a phone call to get it cleared. This went through ok and I was clear to go through to departures
On arrival in America I was through security in 1 minute as the security hal was empty (possibly 20-30 people on my flight!) just a couple of quick questions nothing to worry about.
Internal flight Chicago to San Fran well that was different in terms of passengers it was 100% full with people on standbys.
I did see some people in Heathrow having issues as they didnt have all the evidence needed,
So if your travelling as a UK Citizen ensure you have copies of all your paperwork like spouse passport, wedding certificate etc to make it as smooth as you can.
