New Online Visa

[MacUK]

I'm sure someone has posted this but worth a mention again.
You now have to fill your green visa waiver form in online and get pre-authorised.

Don't want anyone turning up for the flight and not being aloud to fly or entry to the US.

Enjoy.

Bummer about the dollar!, luckily we had 900 dollars left from our US tour we did in Sept and bought at 1.82, can't see that again for a while!!

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_cFA0AFFF4-6287-ED51-D0CA-90A5AADDBB0A_kC95613D5-25E0-B8FB-FD2E-5FA15DCFB744

 

[wifey]

TAs need to inform their customers of this Many folks are still unaware of this change we know a few folks who thought we were wrong about this but have since checked and been given the correct info to their surprise. Just hope that travellers do it before they go and not think about it at the airport.

 

[fearfall]

we have done ours for august got confirmation within seconds using the above link

 

[The Fetherstons]

Ive done ours too, all authorised another thing to cross of our list

 

[wilma-bride]

Just to clarify, the new ESTA system does not replace the green waiver form - that will still need to be filled out on the plane (or whenever you do it) as usual. All this does is gives a pre-authorisation to travel to the US. A lot of people are mistakenly thinking they will no longer need to complete the visa waiver form but it does explain, on the ESTA site, that this still needs to be done when you travel.

 

[jns]

Just to clarify, the new ESTA system does not replace the green waiver form - that will still need to be filled out on the plane (or whenever you do it) as usual. All this does is gives a pre-authorisation to travel to the US. A lot of people are mistakenly thinking they will no longer need to complete the visa waiver form but it does explain, on the ESTA site, that this still needs to be done when you travel.

Thats a bummer was hoping no more filling in of the forms
Thanks for posting , knew about it but never looked into it

 

[tigger137]

Just to clarify, the new ESTA system does not replace the green waiver form - that will still need to be filled out on the plane (or whenever you do it) as usual. All this does is gives a pre-authorisation to travel to the US. A lot of people are mistakenly thinking they will no longer need to complete the visa waiver form but it does explain, on the ESTA site, that this still needs to be done when you travel.

The US Embassy London website seems to contradict this:

Q: If people have received ESTA approval, do they also need to fill out an I-94W?

A: DHS has been coordinating with commercial air and vessel carriers on the development and implementation of messaging capabilities for passenger data transmissions that will enable DHS to provide the carriers with messages pertaining to a passenger's boarding status. A prospective VWP traveler's ESTA status is a component of a passenger's boarding status that has been introduced into the plans for implementing messaging capabilities between DHS and the carriers. The implementation of the ESTA program will allow DHS to eventually eliminate the requirement that VWP travelers complete an I-94W prior to being admitted to the United States.

After Jan. 12, 2009, a VWP traveler with a valid ESTA will not be required to complete the paper Form I-94W when arriving on a carrier that is capable of receiving and validating messages pertaining to the traveler's ESTA status as part of the traveler's boarding status. Until ESTA is mandatory, however, all VWP travelers applying for admission at a U.S. port of entry, including those VWP travelers who possess a voluntary ESTA authorization, must still present the Form I-94W to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

[wifey]

Quite as I understand it the ESTA became mandatory/compulsory on the 12th January 2009 and the green VW forms were only to be used between last summer when it was introduced and then. We'll soon see I guess. Personally I doubt the US Embassy in London will be issuing duff info.

 

[jns]

OK do we still have to fill in the green forms or not

 

[Natasha&Matt]

How far in advance can you fill in the forms online?

 

[darthtatty]

How far in advance can you fill in the forms online?

they last 2 years

 

[Claire L]

Just to clarify, the new ESTA system does not replace the green waiver form - that will still need to be filled out on the plane (or whenever you do it) as usual. All this does is gives a pre-authorisation to travel to the US. A lot of people are mistakenly thinking they will no longer need to complete the visa waiver form but it does explain, on the ESTA site, that this still needs to be done when you travel.

As far as I am aware the old green form ceased to be used as of January 12th 2009, it is now just the online form, both were in operation for a few months to ease the transition over from one to the other.

Claire

 

[Natasha&Matt]

they last 2 years

Thanks very much =)

 

[ford family]

As far as I am aware the old green form ceased to be used as of January 12th 2009, it is now just the online form, both were in operation for a few months to ease the transition over from one to the other.

Claire

When we came through Atlanta earlier this month I asked about the green VW cards. I was told that there were no imminent plans to stop requiring them because the systems needed to communicate the ESTA information were not in place yet.

ford family

 

[Claire L]

When we came through Atlanta earlier this month I asked about the green VW cards. I was told that there were no imminent plans to stop requiring them because the systems needed to communicate the ESTA information were not in place yet.

ford family

According to the ESTA website I-94W forms are no longer needed under these circumstances -

Airline Acceptance of ESTA
Online completion is mandatory for all Visa Waiver Programme travellers to the USA provided that the airline used is capable of receiving and validating ESTA data.


It also says -

Benefits
The old I-94 system for entry into the USA is decades old and an important reason behind the changeover is to bring the program into the 21st century, automate the procedure and, wherever possible, get rid of the paper. There are also other obvious benefits for visitors in that you will no longer have to fill in an I-94W form every time that you enter the USA. It also means that travellers will know before they leave their country of origin / arrival in the US, that they should be OK for entry (but not guaranteed). Leaving the green departure record accidentally on departure in the traveller’s passport also becomes a problem of the past.


Claire

 

[ford family]

According to the ESTA website I-94W forms are no longer needed under these circumstances -

Airline Acceptance of ESTA
Online completion is mandatory for all Visa Waiver Programme travellers to the USA provided that the airline used is capable of receiving and validating ESTA data.


It also says -

Benefits
The old I-94 system for entry into the USA is decades old and an important reason behind the changeover is to bring the program into the 21st century, automate the procedure and, wherever possible, get rid of the paper. There are also other obvious benefits for visitors in that you will no longer have to fill in an I-94W form every time that you enter the USA. It also means that travellers will know before they leave their country of origin / arrival in the US, that they should be OK for entry (but not guaranteed). Leaving the green departure record accidentally on departure in the traveller’s passport also becomes a problem of the past.


Claire

Whatever.
All I am trying to point out is that, up to a couple of weeks ago, the systems capable of receiving and validating ESTA data were not yet in place and no date had been set for their release.
No doubt you can give us a definitive update on your birthday trip.

ford family

 

[Claire L]

Whatever.
All I am trying to point out is that, up to a couple of weeks ago, the systems capable of receiving and validating ESTA data were not yet in place and no date had been set for their release.
No doubt you can give us a definitive update on your birthday trip.

ford family

I certainly will update once we have got there with the current info incase things have changed.

Claire

 

[wifey]

Claire L That's the info we read too on their own site Will be interested to find out how many airlines are still in the dark ages and not able to comply in our current digital era. I sincerely hope VA don't have any issues with it

Update:- Just found out VA are still using the green VWFs until March '09 the ESTA system isn't quite up to par with expectations so they are still using the VWFs the DHS expect things will have things sorted out by then. VA have said they will ask if you have done your ESTA and anyone who doesn't have their ESTA info sorted out will be refused to board at the airport.