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Q What is Advance Passenger Information (API)?
A Advance Passenger Information (API) is information about passengers required by the US government prior to travel. It was originally introduced by the US authorities to speed up immigration procedures. Airlines could voluntarily provide passport information about passengers to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency once their flights had departed for the US and this would allow for routine identity checks to be made before arrival.

Q Why do I have to supply API?
A Following the events of September 11 2001, security has been increased and there is now an additional focus on airlines to supply more information about passengers. This allows the US Authorities to make checks to identify anyone who may be a potential threat. We (and all other airlines) already obtain some information from machine-readable passports and supply this to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency.

Due to additional US regulatory and legislative requirements, from 4 October 2005, there will be a need to collect more Advance Passenger Information that we’ll then need to transmit to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency before our flights depart.

We strongly advise you supply API to us before you arrive at the airport. This will minimise disruption at the airport check in area. The details that you need to supply must match the information that you provide on the Visa Waiver form onboard and Esta application. We will let you know how to provide us with this information shortly.

From 1st August 2008 the US are offering an electronic alternative for those travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme. An electronic travel authority from the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) website should make your journey smoother both at check in and on arrival at US Customs. The ESTA scheme is initially voluntary but will become mandatory in 2009.

If you want to apply for an electronic travel authority, please visit the ESTA website, 72 hours in advance of your journey, at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Q How can I supply API?
A Our aim is to make the process of collecting the required information as quick and easy as possible for all of our US bound passengers. You can provide this information in the following ways:

• At time of booking;
• Once you've made a booking to the US by selecting Update Your Booking within Manage Your Flights;
• When Checking In online or using our DIY Kiosk facilities at London Heathrow or London Gatwick;
• At Check In* (although it is strongly recommended that you use one of the above options to save time). If you use this option, please make sure you have a note of your address in the US handy.

We would ask that all passengers continue to provide their valid travel documents and details of their full US destination address for US Immigration. There is no requirement for passengers to arrive at the airport any earlier than usual or to provide any information in advance of checking in for their flight.

* Please note that a minority of passengers will not be able to check in online. For more information read our DIY Check In FAQs.


Q What do I need to supply?
A Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)*
Date of birth**
Gender**
Country of residence**
Travel document type (normally passport and alien/permanent resident card if applicable)**
Document number**
Document country of issue**
Document expiry date**
Citizenship
Address where you’ll be staying in the US
If you are in transit, your final destination.

** The details marked with an asterisk can be taken from your machine-readable passport.

Q Do all Passengers need to supply API?
A Address in the US is not required for US citizens, US legal permanent residents or passengers in transit to other countries. You are classed as being in transit if you are staying less than eight hours in the US and have confirmed onward reservations

Q What do Virgin Atlantic do with API?
A Once you’ve supplied us with the information required, we hold it in our system and will submit this electronically to the US Customs and Border Protection Agency shortly after each flight has departed.

We are bound by UK data protection and privacy laws and we will not forward this information to anyone or show it to anyone who does not have appropriate security clearances (namely the US Authorities). We will not use it for any other purpose than to provide passenger information to the US Authorities who will verify this against their databases.


Q What will the US Authorities do with my information?
A The API data is checked against the combined federal law enforcement database, known as the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). Names are also checked against the FBI National Crime Information Center wanted persons database.

The US Authorities are bound by data protection and privacy laws so that the information cannot be forwarded to, or seen by anyone who does not have appropriate security clearances. It will only be used for its intended purpose.

Q What if I dont want to provide API?
A We (and all other airlines) are required by the US Government to collect API for all passengers before travel to or from the US. Passengers who refuse to supply API will not be allowed entry to the US and therefore will not be accepted for travel at check in.

Q What if I dont know the US Address?
A The US authorities require an address or an indication of where you are staying:

If your accommodation will be allocated on arrival

Please provide the name and address of your agent in the US.

If you are taking a fly-drive holiday

You should provide the name and location of the car hire company and your first intended stopping point.

If you are transferring to a cruise ship

You should provide the name of the vessel and your port of embarkation.

If you are backpacking

You should provide an indication of where you will spend your first night.

Q Will more Countries require API?
A At the moment, we only know the API requirements of the US. However, there are plans for countries such as China, Japan, India, South Africa, Caribbean and UAE to introduce this. Once we have further information we will communicate this to you.