Passports & Visas
It is the responsibility of passengers to ensure they have valid, acceptable passports and any required visa or any other documentation for the travel they are to undertake - you must be able to meet the entry requirements for both your final destinations and any stopoff points en-route.
We will send you details of how to obtain your visa with your tickets but you need to check that you meet the visa and passport entry requirements for your destination before booking your holiday. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer useful information about visas for countries throughout the world. Non-British Citizen passport holders or British Citizens holding a UK Passport issued abroad should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy for clarification before making a booking.
Please note: Both passport and visa regulations can change and you should therefore check with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office or the relevant embassy well in advance of travel. It can often take some time to obtain a visa, so you are advised to apply in plenty of time.
All information on this page applies to British Citizen’s holding a UK passport issued in the UK. Non-British Citizen passport holders or British Citizens holding a UK Passport issued abroad should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy for clarification.
Passengers without the correct documentation may be refused carriage by the airline or entry into any country. Where entry is refused, fines or other financial penalty will be imposed on or by the airline and the passenger(s) concerned will be required to immediately return to their country of departure. Any passenger who travels without the required passport/visa/other documentation is solely responsible for and must immediately pay all fines, surcharges, other financial penalty, costs (including the cost of their immediate return flight) and any other sums of any description which are incurred or imposed by the airline or incurred by ourselves. This will be the case regardless of whether the lack of correct documentation is spotted at the departure airport. We can accept no liability in this situation and no compensation, expenses, refund or other sum will be paid.
Valid Passport
A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Although your passport has been issued for 10 years (5 years for children) you should note that some overseas countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after the date of entry to that country (typically 6 months). If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the destination before you make your final travel plans.
Names
At the time of booking please ensure you supply your first name and surname, (as they appear on your passport) as both of these must be stated on your flight ticket. This will reduce confusion and delays at check-in, especially when travelling to the USA. It is anticipated that customers could face more queries and delays as more countries introduce Advance Passenger Information systems. You may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid if the name on your passport and travel documents don’t match. If, after booking a holiday but before travelling, any member of your party changes their name, e.g. as a result of getting married, we must be notified immediately so that we can make the necessary changes to your holiday documentation.
Children
Children are required to have their own passport.
How to Contact the Passport Service
General passport enquiries should be directed to the Identity and Passport Service. Please visit their website - www.ips.gov.uk or telephone - 0870 521 0410.
Apply Early
If you need to apply for a passport or renew an expired passport, you should do so well in advance of travel and at least four weeks before. (If you are 16 or over and have never had a passport in your own name, you should apply for one at least six weeks before your holiday. The UK passport service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to protect your identity). Visit www.ips.gov.uk.
Advanced Passenger Information
Under the UK Government ‘e-Borders’ scheme, Tour Operators and Airlines are required to collect biographical information contained in the section of your passport that can be read by machine (such as name, passport number). We refer to this as your advance passenger information and will pass this onto the e-Borders programme both prior to your departure from a UK Aiport to an overseas destinations, and on any journey to the UK. We are legally required to collect your advance passenger information – for details visit the UK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. For some destinations this will be obtained at the airport but for others we will ask you to provide the information at least 7 days before you travel. In 2010 this is likely to include USA (where additonal infrmation will be required, eg, first night stay address in USA), Goa, Gambia and much of Greece. Please visit www.thomascookairlines.co.uk - for information on the latest countries where this applies. Please also carefully note any instructions about Advanced Passenger Information on your confirmation invoice or tickets. The UK Broder Agency, e-Borders programme is a legal direction to which all transport carriers must comply, failure to provide the required data may result in carriage being denied.
Specific Country Requirements
We have compiled a list of the most popular visa requirements, the information provided was correct when this page was created you should check on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website.
Bulgaria Requirements
You may enter Bulgaria as a tourist without a visa for up to 90 days in any 6 month period. You may not be allowed to re-enter Bulgaria after the initial 90 days have expired if you have not spent the requisite period outside the country.
Cuba Requirements
Cuban tourist cards must be completed in one colour ink (either blue or black, not a combination of both). Incorrectly completed tourist cards will be invalid and new card will have to be purchased at £30.
Dominican Republic Requirements
Tourist cards required for the Dominican Republic are valid for 15 days. If the duration of your holiday is longer than this then you will be required to purchase an extra tourist card costing $10 per person.
Tourist cards are also available prior to departure from the Dominican Republic Consulate in London (this can be in person, by post or online at www.dominicanembassy.org.uk). This may help to speed your transit through the airport on arrival in the Dominican Republic.
Kenya Requirements
The Kenan entry visa is US$25 for adults and free for children under 16. No other currencies will be accepted other than US Dollars.
Portugal Requirements
A minor under the age of 18 travelling to Portugal must either be accompanied by a parent or guardian or carry a letter of authorisation to travel from a parent or guardian. The letter should name the adult responsible for the minor during his/her stay. For the latest advice visit www.fco.gov.uk or contact the Portuguese Embassy.
USA Requirements
Read in conjunction with the information below
- You must have a valid machine readable or biometric passport
- You must be eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme or apply for a visa (visit: www.usembassy.org.uk)
- Log onto website: www.thomascookairlines.co.uk and enter your US Advanced Passenger Information. This requires your passport details and 1st nights address in the US.
- Log onto the US official website ‘ESTA’ at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Apply for authorisation to travel.
Read all sections carefully to ensure you comply with US entry requirements
Passports
British passport holders travelling to the USA (or via the USA) are required to have either individual machine readable passports or biometric passports. (If you need to check your passport we recommend you contact the UK Passport Office). Families will be required to obtain individual passports for each traveller including all children.
Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)
If you have a machine readable or Biometric passport you should be able to qualify for travel (of up to 90 days) without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). That is, provided no one in your party has ever been arrested (even if not convicted), or if suffering from a serious communicable disease (visit: www.usembassy.org.uk for details of all restrictions). For passengers holding a non-British Passport, or, if you are unsure whether you qualify for travel under the VWP please consult the Identity & Passport Service or US Embassy. For travellers who qualify for travel under the VWP, see important details on obtaining travel authorisation below.
Advanced Passenger Information (API)
Tour Operators and Airlines are required to transmit details of the full address of your destination accommodation and country of residence and your passport details to the U.S authorities prior to the departure of flights to comply with US security requirements. You must provide the required security information on the website: www.thomascookairlines.co.uk, between 3 months and 7 days before departure. (This includes customers flying with other charter airlines as well as Thomas Cook Airlines). We recommend the lead passenger on your booking takes responsibility for completing the information on behalf of all other passengers on your booking). It is important the information collected by Tour Operators and Airlines as part of US Advanced Passenger Information is the same as the information you have submitted under ESTA as any differences may delay or prevent your entry to the USA.
Laws in force in the USA require airlines to collect the following information from all passengers travelling to and from the U.S.A., prior to travel:
|
Personal Details |
- First, Middle and Last Name |
|
Official Travel Document |
- Type, Number, Expiry Date and Country of Issuance |
|
Destination Address in the U.S.A.* |
- Name of Destination |
|
Alien Registration |
- Green Card / U.S. Residence Number (if available) |
|
Contact in case of emergency |
- Name and Telephone Number |
*Except U.S. Citizens, Green Card Holders and Transit Passengers with an international connection within eight hours. For customers travelling with Thomas Cook Style on a flight and accommodation package, the full address details of the accommodation that has been booked will eventually be stated in their ticket booklet or on the invoice. However, until then it can be reconfirmed at the UK departure airport. Each UK Tour Operator or Airline may have a slightly different procedure at check-in however, it is vital that your Visa Waiver form completed on the flight matches the details held by Thomas Cook Style.
This information must be provided for all passengers travelling, including Children and Infants. Your air carrier is legally required to provide this information to the authorities. If you refuse to give this information the airline may refuse to allow you to travel. This process should not cause any disruption at the airport but as normal we would advise passengers to arrive early to check-in for their flights.
Travel Authorisation (ESTA)
US Customs & Border Control have introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The system is web based only and requires all passengers (including infants) travelling via or to the USA to apply for authority to travel a minimum of 72 hours prior to travel. You may be denied boarding or refused entry to the US if you have not registered and obtained authorisation. To apply visit the official website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. It is very important that you complete your ESTA application using the exact address as displayed on the documentation you receive from your Airline/Operator. (If you have booked a flight only or the address of your accommodation is confirmed on arrival, please use our resort office address as stated on your holiday invoice/tickets). We will be providing accommodation details for all passengers to the U.S immigration authorities after you have departed to the U.S. If there are any differences between our information compared to what you have written on your waiver form you may be denied entry into the USA. We recommend that you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel. For additional information on travel to the US visit http://www.usembassy.org.uk/
