ESTA (Electronic System Travel Authorisation)

[lisa12000]

Is anyone going to voluntarily do this tomorrow? I know its not mandatory until January but there is some talk of it costing money later on but its free at the moment. My only concern is that something may go wrong! I've never even seen a policeman never mind been arrested but theres that nagging doubt that it may say ive done something horrible!! Anyone else having a go?

 

[MandyJ72]

Is this the thing you have to do 3 days before you go? Like the Visa Waiver but online? (we were away when all the hype in the press so not sure!)

Guy from DHs work went and he did it no problems at all, found it quite straight-forward I think, well, hasn't said he had any problems and he would have if he had!

 

[mumloveseeyore]

does this save you from having to fill in the visa waiver when on board? in this case i might be tempted to give it a go as i average about 8 forms for the 4 of us!! Gill

 

[wicket2005]

It will save visa waiver forms I believe when it comes into effect in January but you are best checking the website for that. You still have to fill in the visa waiver forms till January I believe.

I will be doing this but not till next year, probably sometime in the Spring because the authorisation only lasts for 2 years so might as well do it later rather than sooner to your holiday, if you know what I mean, to cover other holidays.

I welcome the opportunity to fill something in before I go rather than fill in the visa waiver forms which I hate doing. However, I suppose circumstances can change so you must be under some obligation to tell them if you cannot travel due to breaking any of the waiver requirements.

Its early days yet and I am sure all will become clear as the new procedure comes into operation.

 

[MandyJ72]

Checked with the guy just back from WDW at DH's work - he still had to fill in the green form and the white one as normal even though he had done the online thing so I presume because it's not a mandatory thing you have to do at the moment they will still make you fill the forms in but come January you will have to do it online.

 

[wayneg]

Checked with the guy just back from WDW at DH's work - he still had to fill in the green form and the white one as normal even though he had done the online thing so I presume because it's not a mandatory thing you have to do at the moment they will still make you fill the forms in but come January you will have to do it online.

How did he do it? site isn't up and running yet
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
Full details here, should be working from Tomorrow, 1st Aug. http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/ESTA_for_Visa_Waiver_Program_Travelers.pdf

Hope it works well and only have to do once every 2 years, I have to fill in upto 24(8 each) green forms in a 2 year period.

 

[MandyJ72]

Eh, don't know! He was away for 3 weeks and got back last Thursday so maybe was up for a "test period" or something - have emailed DH to ask him!

Why are you still on line? You should be in full pre-trip madness by now - or down the pub having a well earned drink before you go!!

 

[wayneg]

Why are you still on line? You should be in full pre-trip madness by now - or down the pub having a well earned drink before you go!!

Still at work, here until 5pm, or earlier if I get a few customers to buy these last few flowers.
Last place I would be is pub, very rare I drink. I once took 12 bottles of Bud on a 7 night Disney cruise, brought 10 back off with me.

 

[Ian&Linda]

Just completed for the wife & i.. It took all of 2 mins..

 

[Lizzybear]

Just tried to fill this in but my passport info won't work (issuance and expiry are a little over 10 years apart because I got some remaining months from my old passport carried over) Guess i'll leave it for now since it isn't mandatory yet.

 

[dc1964]

Just tried to fill this in but my passport info won't work (issuance and expiry are a little over 10 years apart because I got some remaining months from my old passport carried over) Guess i'll leave it for now since it isn't mandatory yet.

i have had same problem, i had time left over as did my son, cant beleive they have not thoght of this and not sure why it matters, i have e mailed them so will see.

 

[Claire L]

Just tried to fill this in but my passport info won't work (issuance and expiry are a little over 10 years apart because I got some remaining months from my old passport carried over) Guess i'll leave it for now since it isn't mandatory yet.

Good point as the time is automatically added on for upto 9 months of unexpired validity!

Claire

 

[dc1964]

just done wifes ok, her dates show exactly 10 years

 

[Ian&Linda]

Ours was over as well. But just put it to the last year & it went thru..

 

[lagunn]

Did all ours but DH His passport shows more than 10 years.

 

[Lizzybear]

i have had same problem, i had time left over as did my son, cant beleive they have not thoght of this and not sure why it matters, i have e mailed them so will see.

Ooh please post and let us know what they say I did consider changing the date to make it exactly 10 years but didn't think it was worth risking any hassle as US immigration can be real sticklers about things being exactly right. I'm not too worried since we go in September and our next US trip won't be til the same time next year, by which time i'd imagine they will have worked through any teething problems.

 

[DCLMan]

All 4 of ours went through without any problems.

 

[dc1964]

Ooh please post and let us know what they say I did consider changing the date to make it exactly 10 years but didn't think it was worth risking any hassle as US immigration can be real sticklers about things being exactly right. I'm not too worried since we go in September and our next US trip won't be til the same time next year, by which time i'd imagine they will have worked through any teething problems.

still no reply back, will try to complete form again i think

 

[dc1964]

completed for, just changed date to show exactly 10 years, sure there wont be a problem as there it is more than that, cane back a few hours later, think their server has been down

 

[FAB1]

System has been fixed. I have just applied for 3 of us all with passports running for longer than 10 yrs. No need to change the dates. If immigration check the ESTA form against the passport the dates won't tally.