How To ESTA

[wayneg]

They are $14pp. Only use the official link I read yesterday someone paid 4 x £39.99

 

[2Tiggies]

They are $14pp. Only use the official link I read yesterday someone paid 4 x £39.99

Oh no!

I was just going to use the link Kenny put in the first post of this thread. Thanks for the info

 

[Little Flower]

Do you have to have the esta reference or any paperwork when you go through immigration? I did mine last Aug for NYC but I can't remember any of the details now

 

[wayneg]

Do you have to have the esta reference or any paperwork when you go through immigration? I did mine last Aug for NYC but I can't remember any of the details now

No, below is the official response from the ESTA site, 99.9% of people never have a problem but I have read one post saying they were flying with Thomas Cook who insisted on a print out, I don't see how they can when its not required, they can get the info direct from DHS(Department of Homeland Security)
If don't have your ref number you can retrieve it with your name, date of birth and passport number, all details you do know.

Do travelers need to bring a paper printout of their travel authorization to the airport?

No. DHS will be able to communicate a traveler’s ESTA status to the carriers. However, DHS recommends that travelers print out the travel authorization application response in order to maintain a record of their traveler authorization application number and to have confirmation of their ESTA status

 

[Little Flower]

Thanks for this, we are flying Thomas Cook so I'd best printout just incase I guess

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks for this, we are flying Thomas Cook so I'd best printout just incase I guess

I always print mine anyway, just in case. better to be safe than sorry. Computer systems are all very well and good when they work

 

[tracipierce]

Hi all, as a few of you might be close to their ESTA's running out, I thought someone might be able to help me.
My 2 DD's and me got ESTAs a couple of years ago and they are due to run out on 28th Aug. We return from out trip this year on the 23rd August, so I thought, great won't have to pay for that then however, I have since had emails from ESTA saying I need to update them.
It seems like common sense that if my ESTA is in date then we should be ok, but I have heard of some countries not allowing you entry if you don't have at least 6 months on your passport (seems ridiculous to me) Does anyone know if there is a minimum amount of days you need to have on your ESTA in order to use it? Could do without spending the extra money on them right now.

 

[JANNYANS]

As long as your ESTA is valid for the date of entry you will be fine .

 

[tracipierce]

As long as your ESTA is valid for the date of entry you will be fine .

Woo hoo, thanks!

 

[mini one]

Help should I start to worry??
We fly on 17th and just applied for our ESTA. Mine and DD all went through easy but DH says authorisation pending!!! It says a determination will be made in 72 hrs. We have been to Florida many times over the years and never had any problem before. Has this happened to anyone else??

 

[tracipierce]

Help should I start to worry??
We fly on 17th and just applied for our ESTA. Mine and DD all went through easy but DH says authorisation pending!!! It says a determination will be made in 72 hrs. We have been to Florida many times over the years and never had any problem before. Has this happened to anyone else??

Hi, don't worry first of all....

my son's went through straight away but then my son's GF and my daughter's said authorisation pending. This has never happened to me and my other DDs before either so I was worried sick. I re checked later on the same day on both of their applications and they had both gone through. Check the application again now to see if it's updated

 

[mini one]

Hi, don't worry first of all....

my son's went through straight away but then my son's GF and my daughter's said authorisation pending. This has never happened to me and my other DDs before either so I was worried sick. I re checked later on the same day on both of their applications and they had both gone through. Check the application again now to see if it's updated

Thank you thank you thank you
Was really worried and dreading the next 72hrs but checked again as you suggested and it's all ok and been approved. I would never have dared to check so quick if you had not said so thanks again.
2 weeks till Florida

 

[tracipierce]

Thank you thank you thank you
Was really worried and dreading the next 72hrs but checked again as you suggested and it's all ok and been approved. I would never have dared to check so quick if you had not said so thanks again.
2 weeks till Florida

You are most welcome!!!!

I know exactly how you were feeling, not nice at all. I'm just so impatient, I had to give it a whirl the same day. Glad it's all gone through for you now... good luck with the rest of your planning and getting ready.... I have less than a week now and getting that excited panicky feeling lol

 

[BecksHH]

Hi, this is new since our last trip, am i right thinking i should do this asap? We leave 6 weeks on sat, only booked 2 weeks ago, so I'm a bit behind on all this sort of stuff! Do I have to do one for my DD who will just be 3? Thanks x

 

[wayneg]

Hi, this is new since our last trip, am i right thinking i should do this asap? We leave 6 weeks on sat, only booked 2 weeks ago, so I'm a bit behind on all this sort of stuff! Do I have to do one for my DD who will just be 3? Thanks x

I would do it now, you should have no problems but they last 2 years so you might as well get them done.
Everyone needs one.

 

[BecksHH]

I would do it now, you should have no problems but they last 2 years so you might as well get them done.
Everyone needs one.

Thanks for that, i'll get them done asap!

 

[Terkina]

I thought I would get an e-mail when our ESTA's was approved or declined. We applied for the ESTA on Friday so today I had to go on the internet to find out if it was approved or not. Both our ESTA's was approved so now we are ready to visit USA in February

Is it normal not to get an e-mail when the ESTA is approved?

 

[wayneg]

I thought I would get an e-mail when our ESTA's was approved or declined. We applied for the ESTA on Friday so today I had to go on the internet to find out if it was approved or not. Both our ESTA's was approved so now we are ready to visit USA in February

Is it normal not to get an e-mail when the ESTA is approved?

Yes its normal. You have to check, they do not send an email.

 

[Terkina]

Thank you for your help wayneg

 

[bee86]

I underatand that estas last for two years. I will be travelling to the states twice this year, once on my own (as part of a uni study group) to Chicago and once in June with my mum.
Mum should be straight forward with just one trip.
When I apply ill put the details of the Chicago flight in.....but what do I do for the June trip for me do I need to do anything extra??

Also.....silly question but when going through immigration in Orlando, can I go through with mum or do we have to go through as individuals?like can we walk up to the officer together as we are family?