ESTA's.....

[alibeau]

Just a quick afterthought since our return....

I filled in our ESTA's online before we left but were informed on the plane that they were not yet in use and still had to complete the green forms along with the white one........ ESTA was not mentioned again at any point

Not sure if this has been posted previously and I guess you can't risk setting off without completing one, just thought it was a bit odd

Ali

 

[Claire L]

We were told that you were meant to do the ESTA but as not many people know about it and the fact the computer system is not up and running fully then the green visa waiver form will be in use for a few more months!

Claire

 

[karriemouse]

We've just got back and were told that there was a 'six month trial period' during which both systems were running together. Gave me something to do on the plane I suppose!

 

[davidmolliesmum]

where do you go online to fill these out??
we go in June, i was going to fill it out as soon as, so are they in use yet?!?!?!

 

[Pegasus928]

where do you go online to fill these out??
we go in June, i was going to fill it out as soon as, so are they in use yet?!?!?!

We followed the following link to do ours

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta....6021676_k9845589F-0EA2-440C-357E-93AFA616DCF2

There is also a link on there that will answer any questions you may have.
The system is in use - although it is in tandem with the green waiver form for the first 6 months while they complete the transition.
I have seen people comment that they were never asked anything about the ESTA, but as I understand it you wouldn't need to be asked anything by immigration in the US as they will see, once they check your passport, if you have filled it out or not.

 

[wicket2005]

I hope by July it is only the ESTA that is required as I absolutely hate filling in those green forms.

 

[Pegasus928]

I hope by July it is only the ESTA that is required as I absolutely hate feeling in those green forms.

I don't normally like filling in forms either - but this is the only one I enjoy doing as I know that in less than 8 hours I will be on holiday. That and the fact that it always makes me laugh when I read the questions on the back that we have to answer.

 

[gaylie]

I did mine 2 weeks ago, and got a reference number - dont know if this is normal and then you still have to fill out a green waiver form on board, but I'd rather have both and get into US than take a chance..

 

[wicket2005]

Reference number is normal. I ran off mine and hubbie's confirmation of being able to fly to USA too, I don't take any chances. Just got the lads' ones to fill in.

 

[alibeau]

I have seen people comment that they were never asked anything about the ESTA, but as I understand it you wouldn't need to be asked anything by immigration in the US as they will see, once they check your passport, if you have filled it out or not.

Ahhh - well that would make sense

Ali

 

[Twinkly-Tink]

Does anyone know if we need to print anything off to take with us when I've input the ESTA information?

New passport has arrived and going to go and do this now but will need to switch PC's if I need to print!!!!

TIA!

 

[wicket2005]

It says quite clearly on the ESTA site that you are not required to show anything. I believe that is because it will show up on their computers in immigration.

However, I am always cautious and have printed off the form they give you which states that you are able to fly to the USA. It also has your application number and expiry date on it. The application number is handy to have as you need to know it for other trips you may go on and obviously you need to know the expiry date. So I would recommend printing the form off for your own records and I am taking a copy with me just to be on the safe side.

 

[Twinkly-Tink]

It says quite clearly on the ESTA site that you are not required to show anything. I believe that is because it will show up on their computers in immigration.

However, I am always cautious and have printed off the form they give you which states that you are able to fly to the USA. It also has your application number and expiry date on it. The application number is handy to have as you need to know it for other trips you may go on and obviously you need to know the expiry date. So I would recommend printing the form off for your own records and I am taking a copy with me just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the quick reply Wicket - appreciate this. think will print off - just to be on the safe side!!

 

[Pegasus928]

However, I am always cautious and have printed off the form they give you which states that you are able to fly to the USA. It also has your application number and expiry date on it. The application number is handy to have as you need to know it for other trips you may go on and obviously you need to know the expiry date. So I would recommend printing the form off for your own records and I am taking a copy with me just to be on the safe side.

Although I agree that it pays to be cautious, it's worth pointing out that the ESTA only gives authorisation to travel to the US, not to actually enter it.

This from the US Dept. of Homeland Security

Does a travel authorization guarantee me admission to the United States?
If your electronic travel authorization is approved, this approval establishes that you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not guarantee that you are admissible to the United States. Upon arrival in the United States you will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry who may determine that you are inadmissible under the Visa Waiver Program or for any reason under United States law.

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Kenny, that is why I said it my post fly to the USA. I know it depends on the Immigration Officer whether they let you in or not.

 

[MrsJobba1]

I hope by July it is only the ESTA that is required as I absolutely hate filling in those green forms.

I second this - I hate filling in the green forms.

Although I have not done ESTA yet as I#m frightened of making a mistake on that.

 

[wicket2005]

Helen, I felt exactly the same when I started doing the ESTAs. I expected them to take a lot longer (after a report in a paper which was typically wrong again), but they didn't take very long at all. It was just like filling in a Visa Waiver form for the info they required, you fill the info in, then get a chance to check it before submitting it for approval. Really it was fine.