How worried should I be?

[Dirty Sanchez]

One other thing could be he doesn't have a machine readable passport with a digital photo on it, hence the extra application.

A new passport would be ideal but given the timescales it looks like a visit to London.

[Flabio]

I didn't think the UK was part of the Visa waiver for the States anymore anyway...

[wakka]

Of course we are

Look it up.

[Dirty Sanchez]

The VWP still exists, they have just enhanced it with an electronic version.

[Mayhem]

Hence the ESTA website, you are "required" to fill the online form there in advance too. I'm travelling in the summer but can't just yet because my passport runs out in June and I need a new one first...

[punio75]

oh YES!!!


Filled in the Visa form but decided to try the waiver again.
I was APPROVED- bizarre!

[mr_wistles]

Very odd. I would query it to be 100% sure. You don't want to turn up only to be told to get back on the plane again.