ESTA - How to get into the USA
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ESTA - How to get into the USA
Today's Torygraph [Travel Supplement] highlights the fact that pax now absolutely need to file for their Visa Waiver on-line 72 hours before flying into the USA.
Clicky-Linky-Thing
It also appears that at some stage you may be required to pay for the privilege as well. Still, perhaps preferable to someone stapling bits of green card to Her Majesty's Passport, which I always found rather distasteful.
HOWEVER, it therefore implies you can't fly to the USA unless you have a computer with an Internet connection. Anyone here in that trap?
Clicky-Linky-Thing
It also appears that at some stage you may be required to pay for the privilege as well. Still, perhaps preferable to someone stapling bits of green card to Her Majesty's Passport, which I always found rather distasteful.
HOWEVER, it therefore implies you can't fly to the USA unless you have a computer with an Internet connection. Anyone here in that trap?
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Her Majesty remains offended ...
Notwithstanding the ESTA, UK (and other visa waiver) citizens still must fill out that green form. My British wife was required to as recently as 28 December, last. The rocket scientist with the stapler ended up with the green stub sticking out - seeing this he warned my wife not to remove the stub - that would be a federal offense.
This despite the exact same questions were answered in the ESTA process. Perhaps they are checking that one has answered the question about membership of the communist party the same way twice.
Fingerprinting is now up to all 8 fingers, and both thumbs, however they appear only to take one photo.
Wonder if the Yanks actually feel safer now?
This despite the exact same questions were answered in the ESTA process. Perhaps they are checking that one has answered the question about membership of the communist party the same way twice.
Fingerprinting is now up to all 8 fingers, and both thumbs, however they appear only to take one photo.
Wonder if the Yanks actually feel safer now?
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Its not the Visa waiver you do on line, its only the esta. As ExXB says you must still fill out you I-94W before arriving in the US.
Do the americans feel safer now. You may be surprised to know very few americans travel beyond the lower 48 and so have no idea what Homeland security do to keep them safe.
Do the americans feel safer now. You may be surprised to know very few americans travel beyond the lower 48 and so have no idea what Homeland security do to keep them safe.
Last edited by Jarvy; 16th Jan 2010 at 22:18.
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I'm delighted to know that the green sh1t will still survive ... "Is the purpose of your journey to assassinate the President" and other such nonsense.
According to the ESTA website, the on-line filing should replace the I-95W. I frankly doubt it; wow, without a piece of paper saying you're OK we can't let you in.
Personally I don't care how many fingerprints or photos they take of a white British pensioner. If it pleases them and makes them feel secure in their Homeland, that's OK by me. I would just feel a bit more secure with something containing the word "profiling"
According to the ESTA website, the on-line filing should replace the I-95W. I frankly doubt it; wow, without a piece of paper saying you're OK we can't let you in.
Personally I don't care how many fingerprints or photos they take of a white British pensioner. If it pleases them and makes them feel secure in their Homeland, that's OK by me. I would just feel a bit more secure with something containing the word "profiling"
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Air New Zealand has been selected as the carrier for a trial of the paperless immigration process into the USA. For some weeks now, ANZ customers travelling under the Visa Waiver scheme (and who therefore will have completed the ESTA process online) have not needed to complete the Green I-94W forms on entry into LAX.
Passengers with valid US Visas in their passports still need to complete a white I-94 form for arrival. All arriving passengers, including US Citizens still need to complete a Blue/White customs declaration, one per family name travelling.
Assuming that this process proves to be satisfactory to the CBP authorities, it is reasonable to expect that it will be rolled out eventually, to other airlines and flights. It is likely that, eventually, there will be a charge for each ESTA application, although since the ESTA form is valid for two years, this will not be too much of a burden (we hope).
Remember that the ESTA process is not actually an Immigration/Visa related process - it is a security relates process (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) that permits travel to the USA. Since the information provided echoes that required by the CBP on arrival, it can fortunately be used in that way.
Fingerprinting remains (Right Hand, four fingers) and what has been called a "photo" is (I believe) actually an Iris scan.
In short, although a slow process, things are getting better for many travellers to the USA.
Passengers with valid US Visas in their passports still need to complete a white I-94 form for arrival. All arriving passengers, including US Citizens still need to complete a Blue/White customs declaration, one per family name travelling.
Assuming that this process proves to be satisfactory to the CBP authorities, it is reasonable to expect that it will be rolled out eventually, to other airlines and flights. It is likely that, eventually, there will be a charge for each ESTA application, although since the ESTA form is valid for two years, this will not be too much of a burden (we hope).
Remember that the ESTA process is not actually an Immigration/Visa related process - it is a security relates process (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) that permits travel to the USA. Since the information provided echoes that required by the CBP on arrival, it can fortunately be used in that way.
Fingerprinting remains (Right Hand, four fingers) and what has been called a "photo" is (I believe) actually an Iris scan.
In short, although a slow process, things are getting better for many travellers to the USA.
Excellent post TightSlot, it was always my understanding that the green form would go after the ESTA was introduced.
It can not be replaced until the ESTA is mandatory, it is a lot easier for the authorities if everyone fills the green form at the moment even if they have an ESTA.
It can not be replaced until the ESTA is mandatory, it is a lot easier for the authorities if everyone fills the green form at the moment even if they have an ESTA.
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@ Avman ... having just re-read the ESTA website and its "Help" section, it would seem that you [or a 3rd party] have to file electronically. It is, after all, an Electronic System for Travel Authorization overlaid on the Visa Waiver Program[me] and is intended to replace the Green I-94W.
The only alternative would seem to be to get a US Visa. At which point, as TightSlot noted above, you then have to complete the White I-94 form.
All the above does, I am sure, help prevent any increase in the USA's reported population of 11 million illegal immigrants.
The only alternative would seem to be to get a US Visa. At which point, as TightSlot noted above, you then have to complete the White I-94 form.
All the above does, I am sure, help prevent any increase in the USA's reported population of 11 million illegal immigrants.
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But what alternative is offered for people without computers?
- You can go to a travel agent and ask them to do it on your behalf. They will likely charge an exorbitant fee though (STA Travel charge £20)
- You can ask a friend or relative to do it on your behalf
- You can ask a friend or relative if you can use their computer/internet connection to do it yourself
- You can go to a public library and use one of their computers to do it on
- You could do it on your work computer during a break
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It also appears that at some stage you may be required to pay for the privilege as well. Still, perhaps preferable to someone stapling bits of green card to Her Majesty's Passport, which I always found rather distasteful.
Anyone any details on this? I can't see any info in any internet search.
Piece of piss really (in all senses of the phrase)
Once you apply, you are given a ref number and very quickly the consent to travel (or not)
The reference number is used in susequent applications and speeds the process up.
It is pretty quick and efficient. It also free of charge.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.h...5-7B4EF63F0896
If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear.
If you don't have a computer, there must be somewhere nearby where you can access one, surely !
If you have a bomb in your knickers, no passport or visa and a one way ticket then you can bypass all of this nonsense I am told
Once you apply, you are given a ref number and very quickly the consent to travel (or not)
The reference number is used in susequent applications and speeds the process up.
It is pretty quick and efficient. It also free of charge.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.h...5-7B4EF63F0896
If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear.
If you don't have a computer, there must be somewhere nearby where you can access one, surely !
If you have a bomb in your knickers, no passport or visa and a one way ticket then you can bypass all of this nonsense I am told
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Regarding charges, the Telegraph travel supplement on Saturday suggested there may be a charge in the future ... they said that the US Senate voted in Sep 09 for a charge of $10 for the process. "The EU is very critical of such a move."
Frankly, if the USA feels it's really necessary to impose such a small change to recover the cost of its own impositions, I doubt it will affect most travellers. It will just annoy them. I suspect the Admin costs of handling it all will exceed $10 anyway, but then of course I don't run a Government so what do I know know.
Just more tedious Admin to be done by some clerk in an office in the USA, who will fail to note my middle name is Bin Laden.
Frankly, if the USA feels it's really necessary to impose such a small change to recover the cost of its own impositions, I doubt it will affect most travellers. It will just annoy them. I suspect the Admin costs of handling it all will exceed $10 anyway, but then of course I don't run a Government so what do I know know.
Just more tedious Admin to be done by some clerk in an office in the USA, who will fail to note my middle name is Bin Laden.
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So they're going to encourage people to visit America by imposing more stupid rules, treating everyone like a potential terrorist, fingerprinting them like common criminals, and charging them for the priviledge. There's your tax dollars at work.
Sadly I have to go to America on business soon, otherwise I've avoided the place for years since they clearly don't any foreigners going there.
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But surely... That isn't the case? With the move to ESTA and paperless immigration, things have just got (or are in the process of getting) better and easier? Most people will now have one less piece of paperwork to complete, given the two year validity of the ESTA form.
The fingerprinting has been going on for some years now - it's nothing new, neither is the Iris scan. Frankly, both make sense to me, and take up very little time at the immigration desk. Personally, I would have no concerns at all if the UK were to impose a similar requirement.
People are not treated like terrorists - really, they're just not. That is an emotive dinner-party bon-mot, rather than an accurate assessment. Could their attitude and manners be improved? Undoubtedly. But that's not the same thing at all.
As to charging - coming from a country where the upcoming tax rises on aviation tickets for a family long-haul trip are enough to buy a respectable computer, I don't feel that we can comment. Many countries impose charges on visitors - the price is often concealed in a welter of 'other' charges invisible to the purchased.
Before you all start - I hold no brief for US CBP - they are what they are, and that is just how it is: I'd prefer it if they were better, but have no say as I'm not a citizen. I do think, however, that some small credit should be allowed for an apparent improvement in the system, most especially when rock-throwing UK passport holders are living in a very large glass house.
The fingerprinting has been going on for some years now - it's nothing new, neither is the Iris scan. Frankly, both make sense to me, and take up very little time at the immigration desk. Personally, I would have no concerns at all if the UK were to impose a similar requirement.
People are not treated like terrorists - really, they're just not. That is an emotive dinner-party bon-mot, rather than an accurate assessment. Could their attitude and manners be improved? Undoubtedly. But that's not the same thing at all.
As to charging - coming from a country where the upcoming tax rises on aviation tickets for a family long-haul trip are enough to buy a respectable computer, I don't feel that we can comment. Many countries impose charges on visitors - the price is often concealed in a welter of 'other' charges invisible to the purchased.
Before you all start - I hold no brief for US CBP - they are what they are, and that is just how it is: I'd prefer it if they were better, but have no say as I'm not a citizen. I do think, however, that some small credit should be allowed for an apparent improvement in the system, most especially when rock-throwing UK passport holders are living in a very large glass house.
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I agree with TightSlot completely. I travel to the USA through Dulles a couple of times a year, and in general terms they have improved enormously over the last 5 years.
The ESTA system should obviate the time-consuming green card stapling [I'm bemused as to why Visa holders still need the white I-94, but that's a slightly different story]. Fingerprints and iris scan only take a couple of moments. And the CBP troops have improved their customer-relationship skills enormously. On the last occasion the guy was charm personified, whereas the woman at LHR on return didn't even bother to grunt or look at me when I said "Good Morning".
They still have trouble managing the queues that feed a dozen or more immigration desks, though
The ESTA system should obviate the time-consuming green card stapling [I'm bemused as to why Visa holders still need the white I-94, but that's a slightly different story]. Fingerprints and iris scan only take a couple of moments. And the CBP troops have improved their customer-relationship skills enormously. On the last occasion the guy was charm personified, whereas the woman at LHR on return didn't even bother to grunt or look at me when I said "Good Morning".
They still have trouble managing the queues that feed a dozen or more immigration desks, though
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Well I filled out the ESTA form on line for free back in October, and was not asked for any proof of this when I travelled back in October from LHR to SFO.
Did the same trip yesterday, and just filled the forms out on the plane as normal.
As immigration, just went through the normal stuff with finger prints of four fingers on one hand, and the usual picture taken, so nothing appears to have changed really.
The only new thing is all the extra checks before you get on the place at LHR, where they will double check your carry on bag at the gate, and get you a pat down, which is delaying all US bound flights by at least 30 minutes, although in my case it has nearly 1 1/2, but that's a different story.
Did the same trip yesterday, and just filled the forms out on the plane as normal.
As immigration, just went through the normal stuff with finger prints of four fingers on one hand, and the usual picture taken, so nothing appears to have changed really.
The only new thing is all the extra checks before you get on the place at LHR, where they will double check your carry on bag at the gate, and get you a pat down, which is delaying all US bound flights by at least 30 minutes, although in my case it has nearly 1 1/2, but that's a different story.
I've just redone it - it told me that my previous authorisation had expired! I hadn't realised it had been going so long. But no problems. It does puzzle me why it asks what flight you are going to use, but not the date.