advanced passenger information

[a jay]

Are API the details someone takes off you before you check in for your flight?
This year someone at manchester took deatils off us before we checked in, will i still be able to do it like this next year (2009) or do you have to register your API before arriving at the airport? Or have i got the wrong end of the stick completely...

 

[gismo1554]

Yes it has to be before you fly. Alot of airlines accept it way in advance especially Virgin who you can provide it to online

 

[gobofraggle]

As far as I know, based on what I remember of article I read a while back, US is bringing in a system where people under visa waiver will have to submit this information 72 hours in advance of travel - it will be mandatory from January 2009, I think...
At the moment you can enter it in advance (as we have, on Virgin website) or provide it when checking in at airport....

actually, here, I just googled for the article link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7434374.stm

"The security regulation, set to begin next year, will require visitors to register three days before they visit...the changes - which will affect citizens of the 27 countries currently listed under the US visa waiver programme - will allow the US to screen visitors before they travel....
The new programme will be rolled out from August, and will be mandatory for all visa-free travel from 12 January, 2009. "

 

[wifey]

You'll soon need to do an ESTA its an electronic system for travel authorisation implemented by the Department of Homeland Security that must be filled in online before you fly. Google it to find out more.

 

[a jay]

sorry for being really sllloooowwww (slow) but will i need to register my API 3 days before my flight in July 09 (21) or is it not compulsary until Aug 09? These new things keep changing all the time. It's just that the travel agent never mentioned any thing when we booked.

 

[gobofraggle]

"...will be mandatory for all visa-free travel from 12 January, 2009"

yes, you will need to.

the travel agent didn't mention it because they don't have anythign to do with it - the dept of homeland security has a website and you will input your details there.

Here's the link to the site: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

ESTA and API are different things.

ESTA you will need to do compulsory from Jan 2009, these have to be filled in on line 3 days before departure, and are valid then for 2 years. They are not yet compulsory, but the Dept of Homeland Security advise you to voluntarily fill them in on line, although you still need to fill in the green waiver form on the airplane.

After Jan 2009 the green forms will be gone and ESTA will be mandatory.


API is what the airline who takes you to the US has to send to the US once your flight has departed. T his IS mandatory, but it is done by the airline. I cannot speak for all airlines but Virgin Atlantic allow you to fill this information on line when you have booked through them.

This is from VA's web site

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.

This link has everything you need

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/faq/advancedpassengerinformation.jsp

hope that helps

Kev

 

[gobofraggle]

ESTA and API are different things.

Of course you're right, but I think we know what the OP meant. They are both collecting the information (I think, from what I've read, almost exactly the same information) but for delivery and processing at different times.

The advantages of the 72 hour advance information - although everyone seems to be complaining about it - are:
- It should, theoretically, speed up immigration at the airports by some margin, since the Immigration officials have part of their burden relieved - if you've been cleared by the computers already, they're less responsible for vetting. At the moment there is no guarantee that the API has been processed by the time a flight arrives - the 72 hours (increased from the initially-proposed 48 hours) gives an idea of how long it can take.
- The ESTA lasts for 2 years, I think (or was it 3? whatever...) so less work than filling in API and green forms for each trip.
- From the airlines' point of view, there have been occasions where they've sent the info off to the US as the flight finishes checking in and then have been told to turn back or stop en route by US ...the plane already on its way by the time the processing was done. A famous example was when the singer Cat Stevens was refused entry and his plane had to divert, I think. This saves the risk of that enormous expense.

 

[JANNYANS]

The ESTA site suggest you complete the form as soon as you know you are planning to travel.3 days is the minimum .If for any reason you are refused ESTA - you get an instant answer- 3 days will not give you any time to get a visa so the earlier the better if you may be in this group.Each member of the traveling group has to have an ESTA number even babies.