Travel expert Simon Calder to answer your questions live as US opens up to UK tourists

Ask our renowned travel correspondent about heading Stateside now the travel ban has lifted

Simon Calder arrives in New York (Simon Calder)

As of 8 November, the almost 20-month-long ban on UK tourists entering the US has finally lifted.

The travel industry and travellers alike rejoiced at the prospect of crossing the Pond once more - albeit with some extra hoops to jump through in the post-pandemic world.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic marked the momentous occasion on Monday by staging a historic dual takeoff from Heathrow’s two runways, with both planes bound for New York’s JFK airport.

The Independent’s travel correspondent, Simon Calder, wasn’t onboard either one of these flights - he was already in the US, having flown into Canada over the weekend and crossed the land border on foot at 12.01am, the first British tourist to do so since March 2020 when the leisure travel ban was first implemented by then-President Trump.

So how easy is it to visit the States as a British tourist now? And what rules do you need to abide by to ensure a smooth entry?

The Independent’s travel expert Simon Calder will be on hand to answer all your burning questions in an ‘Ask me anything’ event later today (11 November). He will be answering live from the US in the comments below this article between 5pm and 6pm.

Register to submit your question in the comments box below. If you’re not already a member, click “sign up” in the comments section to leave your question.

Don’t worry if you can’t see your question – they will be hidden until Simon joins the conversation to answer them.

Then join us live on this page from 5-6pm today as he tackles as many questions as he can within an hour.