ESTA query
 

I have a quick question in regards to the American ESTA. In itself it is valid for 2 years, but is it useable for multiple entries. In a few months I’m due to visit the USA again (current ESTA still within the 2 year validity), but this time travelling to a different place using a different Carrier
I’ve been to the ESTA web site and updated the current one with the new place, but it will not allow me to change it to the new Carrier etc. According to the website, all that is changeable is the destination and the email address
Question is, is that all (the address) that needs to be changed or will I need to get a new one. Looking at the newer version (someone else’s), it seems that the outlay has changed (no carrier required, contact details required etc.)
I’ve tried finding the info on the ESTA website, but cannot find anything in regards to the above questions

Thanks in advance

Valid for multiple entries. :ok:

Mine always have been even unto flying into JFK and then leaving and returning by road from Canada.

you should be OK - I used my last ESTA on several different flights and just updated address and date

Current ESTA has been used on BA into Houston twice and Air New Zealand into LA.
The system logs point of departure from the US, though you don't have to volunteer that information and these have been on BA ex Houston and Virgin Atlantic ex Orlando.

I have not been back into the system to change destination or carrier and have had no problem. Nor have I changed my destination address but, of course have filled out an address on the customs form.

Talking to the officials the ESTA has the effect of the old multiple entry visa for the two years of its validity.

Next trip, I'll ask if the ESTA has to be in date for the duration of the stay.

I always update mine with my arrival date and address, just in case I get an immigration officer having a bad day ;)

I tend to find US Immigration officers only have a bad day between Monday to Sunday:ok:

Never had a problem with them in 33 years of regular travel. Inbound have regularly used Boston, Chicago, Newark, Washington Dulles, Miami, Houston, LAX and SFO over the years with many visits to each. Always strike up a conversation and always have been courteously dealt with.

I now have a 3 year old granddaughter born of British parents in Houston. When asked for the purpose of my visit I always say "to visit my red-neck granddaughter". Always brings a smile and a chat.

I've had the usual mixture over 40 years - some couldn't be nicer, some are so grim you think about turning round and leaving for good

It's the same in most places - except Singapore where I've never had or seen anything but total courtesy

Travelling regularly to the USA since 1976 I'd say that with a few notable exceptions I've had pretty good and very good experiences. I have also had the odd really grumpy bugger too. Hence my caution in ensuring that all is as should be with the paperwork. I certainly have come across a couple of guys who did nothing to make you feel welcome as a tourist about to spend my hard-earned money in their country!

VCtenderness was accurate in his description of US immigration staff.

While I complement HT on his good fortune, I have not shared his good luck.

Entry into the US is a pain, pure and simple.

There is a difference between entry into the US being a pain and the attitude of the officials.
Many of the problems are due to not enough positions being open for the number of passengers arriving. This is due to successive governments, not the line management.

There are some barely communicative officials but even they have a long way to go to be as bad as many of the security people at Heathrow -and next time you go through Heathrow and Gatwick keep an eye on the non-UK lines at passport control!

Last October at IAH, arriving on the BA197, when there is normally only a thirty to forty minute transit from leaving the aircraft to leaving the terminal, my wife and I were faced with a line of over 1500 people and only a handful of desks open. After around forty minutes we had hardly moved when a women in plain clothes appeared and split the line in half taking us through to the US entry section where a number of officials were opening desks.

Ahead of us and at the desk to the left were a French speaking couple evidently with little English and a problem with their documents. As the official did not speak French and no nearby official seemingly did, a plain clothed official was eventually summoned and led them to a private room. There was much discussion between the desks and I gleaned that there had been long queues all day for some reason.

We were faced by a large coloured lady official. Before handing her my passport I said "Bonjour madame, parlez-vous Francais?". The look on her face was a picture. I then handed her my UK passport saying " just joking". The smile she flashed me was a mile wide and she said "you Brits have a great sense of humour, it's been hell here all day, and you must be very tired after your trip and standing so long, I'll have you and your wife through in a flash - and she did.

By the way, you don't have to, but carrying your paper ESTA receipt is always useful just in case there is a glitch.

I found this problem with being unable to change Departure Airport and Carrier/Flt No last week, having done it since the system was set up. There is no advice about it on the DHS website but an email to the responsible department (temporarily forgotten its title) elicited confirmation by return that the system had changed last November and that this info was no longer required. ESTAs remain valid for their 2 years unless the Passport details change or a holder's response to one of the Yes/No questions. New ESTAs require some additional information to that sought previously - eg, parents names and POC in the USA.

ExXB, It can be but I was talking about my experiences with officials, not waiting times. But there again, I have had good and bad. All depends so much on the airport, arrival time and staffing levels. Done gate to hire car in 30 mins at EWR, LAX and FLL. I avoid MIA like the plague. Cleared ATL immigration in as little as 10 mins and as long as 90 mins. JFK (International terminal) isn't too bad if you arrive ahead of the main rush. I have more recently had longer waits at BHX (Terminal 2) in the UK passports line than at some US airports!

HT, I wasn't referring to just the long queues. My experiences obviously different than yours.

As the carriers submit the flight and PAX details anyways, usually no action is required once the ESTA is set valid. If you don't have a fixed address in the US it may be wise to add this, but if not in the system, they'll add it upon entering.

BTW: I am frequently traveling to the US, now for more then 25 years and never had a bad experience with INS.

As a tag along to the subject matter.......
I came through JFK T.4 yesterday and on the gate at 15.35.
Followed the usual signs until a split came between signs for first time ESTA arrivals and returning ESTAs. As a returning ESTA member I was directed to a machine, fingerprinted and photographed by the machine, process complete and into baggage hall withing fifteen minutes of gate arrival. All staff at JFK were extremely helpful and patient.
I will admit that our arrival caught a gap between the 13.00 and 16.00 rush but the experience was worth leaving the US for in order to do it again. We were in the train on the way to Federal Circle 1/2 after arriving at the gate.
The significance of course is that there is now a distinction as between a first time ESTA and any other one.

Don't know if you can answer this but presumably by a returning ESTA they mean one previously used since its issue date rather than the first use of an ESTA by someone who has had a number of ESTAs over the years.

I last entered the US at IAH in November and there was no returning ESTA option. Is JFK the first or a trial?

I took it to mean that a returning ESTA was one who was not using the very first ESTA for the very first time. I've had many ESTA's (and visas) and I think that this was the first trip to the US on this specific ESTA. That's the queue I went for and it worked for me. I'm sure if I'd joined the wrong line I'd have been sent to the back of another.
The machine prints out a slip with a mug shot on it which you hand in on exiting the immigration hall and before you get to baggage. Normal customs form drills prevail exiting the baggage hall. The immigration officer told me that not all terminals had the machines but I think that these are fixtures at T4-Delta/KLM. I've read nothing about the installation of these bits of kit but it made for a welcome entry instead of the usual 2.5hr shuffle and then the hunt for dumped bags.