ESTA now Mandatory on Virgin

[Elise79]

From their website:

As you know for some time now we have been informing passengers travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme that they should apply in advance of their journey for a travel authority using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website.

An ESTA check has now been added to our check-in systems on US routes starting with the VS43 Gatwick to Las Vegas service on 12 August. This means that all visa waiver nationals (unless they have a visa or residency card) will only be able to travel if they have a confirmed travel authority via the ESTA website. The system will be activated on all other US routes over the next few weeks.

Please ensure you apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before departure. In usual circumstances a response (ESTA granted or denied) is given in seconds. For a small minority of passengers the decision will take up to 72 hours. If an ESTA is denied then the passenger must obtain a visa for their journey.

Once granted, a travel authority is valid for two years. Before each new trip to the US the passenger must update their travel plans and address details via the ESTA website. It is the passenger's responsibility to make the application and ensure they have a valid travel authority before they travel. This will make the check in process much easier for them.

If you’re flying to the US and don’t yet have an ESTA, you can apply here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Sounds like its going to be fun as they roll this out

 

[Pegasus928]

Those of us that read sites like this are lucky enough to have this sort of 'heads up'.
I would hope though that Virgin will be sending out some sort of notice via snail mail or email to ensure that everyone is equally informed.

Thanks for the info

 

[higgy66]

Those of us that read sites like this are lucky enough to have this sort of 'heads up'.
I would hope though that Virgin will be sending out some sort of notice via snail mail or email to ensure that everyone is equally informed.

Thanks for the info

Couldn't agree more - I've learnt more on here than any guide books etc.

Thanks Elise79 for the info

 

[wickesy]

Those of us that read sites like this are lucky enough to have this sort of 'heads up'.
I would hope though that Virgin will be sending out some sort of notice via snail mail or email to ensure that everyone is equally informed.

You would think so but I very much doubt they will. They also say that travel details must be updated before every trip when in fact they are optional.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

This should be interesting indeed!!

 

[scottishgirl87]

I thought ESTA was mandatory now anyway

Guess not....

 

[Pegasus928]

ESTA was mandatory - but there was no requirement to inform the airlines.
I guess the change in policy on Virgins part is to ensure that they are not guilty of transporting passengers to the US if they don't have the proper paperwork.

 

[natalielongstaff]

it was only a matter of time

 

[scottishgirl87]

ESTA was mandatory - but there was no requirement to inform the airlines.
I guess the change in policy on Virgins part is to ensure that they are not guilty of transporting passengers to the US if they don't have the proper paperwork.

Ahh right, I get it now. So they're basically gonna check when you're checking in and if you haven't filled ESTA out they can deny you travel! Suppose it makes sense rather than being denied at the other end!

 

[wickesy]

Ahh right, I get it now. So they're basically gonna check when you're checking in and if you haven't filled ESTA out they can deny you travel! Suppose it makes sense rather than being denied at the other end!

ESTA is actually Electronic System for Travel Authorisation so I'm presuming the airlines will be heavily fined if they allow you to travel without it. Even with it you are not guaranteed entry at the other end so I'm sure other airlines will soon be doing the same.

I wonder if this means the US Immigration and airline computers are now 'talking' to each other?

 

[Danauk]

When we booked our flights with Virgin earlier this year the page told us to apply for our ESTA, then last week, 7 days before we are due to fly, we were sent an email reminding us of our flight details and reminding us to apply for ESTA if we already hadn't done.

 

[Lilybee]

Thanks for the information , we did not know that we had to do it. Going to sort it out today .

 

[JulieSharp]

Apparently the ESTA has been working very well. The police have managed to pick up hundreds of people who had free digs already booked at 'HMP'.

 

[Tinks1984]

Another quick note on ESTA's...

Watch out for 'rouge' sites trying to SELL ESTA's. ESTA's are a free service and please ensure that you use the correct website when applying for one.

 

[zippy99]

In fairness to Virgin - I receieved an email today (23 days to go!!) where they did mention this as an important update and give all the links to book.

I am just about to do these for me. hubby & the kids now.

Agree with Tink too - I have seen some dodgy sites when doing DIY research - in all honesty it would help if the 'Official Site' actually looked official, considering its purpose and the details you are providing it does not exactly leave me inspired with confidence!

As long as we get in though!

 

[Danauk]

We fly with Virgin on Sunday and this evening we recieved a phone call to make sure that we had recieved our etickets, filled in our API's and applied for our ESTA's. The agent sounded quite surprised when I told her that I filled the API in when I booked and that I had applied for my ESTA in months ago. I was quite impressed though that they phoned to check, sounds like they are doing all they can to make people aware of the changes.

 

[Pegasus928]

That is good to know - if only for those that don't visit boards like this one.

 

[Nitram64]

Another quick note on ESTA's...

Watch out for 'rouge' sites trying to SELL ESTA's. ESTA's are a free service and please ensure that you use the correct website when applying for one.

Thanks tinks, thinking of going in october so checked expiry on passports and looked at waiver info and came across a site wanting £20 for esta's.

 

[Tinks1984]

Thanks tinks, thinking of going in october so checked expiry on passports and looked at waiver info and came across a site wanting £20 for esta's.

You're welcome Nitram - I think it's awful that people have set up sites charging people for them, so though I'd make people aware whilst we've got a thread going

 

[zippy99]

Do we have a sticky somewhere on here for the 'Official' ESTA website to go to.

That may help others who are not sure what is required, I know I was confused.