whats this ESTA fee/process for? i am travelling to the USA

M4RKM

wallofbeans wrote: »

i got one of these forms (for free!) earlier this year when I went to NYC.. I printed it out and took with me but now I cant find it... do i need to fill it all in again?? I was under the impression that it lasted for 2 years...

you are supposed to update it with the airlines/address you're staying at each time you enter the USA

M4RKM

pennylane99 wrote: »

I have travelled many times to the US during the last year, and not once has the airline asked for ESTA, or US Immigration for that matter.

The Visa Waiver forms are still being used.

The airline doens't need to see your visa etc to pass immigration. The Immigration official doesn't need to ask you, because when they swipe your passport, they can see you have your ESTA. it is electronic.

Yes, they are still running the I95-W forms, but i'm sure, given time, these will be phased out.

System

Just like everyone else, I would say DO NOT PAY for this!!
It's totally free to do on the ESTA website and you can do it yourself.
I just came back from the states and did it all myself with no problems. It turns out that when I arrived I had to do the old fashioned I95-W form anyways, just like always.
Don't pay, but if you have any problems just call an estate agent, they should give you the information for free as common curtesy

mstar

ok guys thanks for the update the !!!!!! in the travel agents gave me a website which i am sure i read it is £20 etc. My visit is over 1 month away i will use the link provided on here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html
and i guess thats it right?

M4RKM

Yes, that is right. The travel agent needs educating... Print out this whole thread, and drop it off to them, tell them that they SHOULD know that the ESTA is free, and to tell people to PAY for something that is free is just ridiculous.

They should know better IMO

stoneman

markymoo wrote: »

you are supposed to update it with the airlines/address you're staying at each time you enter the USA

I don't think this is correct. you do not even have to fill in the part of the application that says where you are staying, that is optional. OH has traveled to 4 different destinations and only filled in the ESTA application once. Each time we land they say that she is on the system.

M4RKM

stoneman wrote: »

I don't think this is correct. you do not even have to fill in the part of the application that says where you are staying, that is optional. OH has traveled to 4 different destinations and only filled in the ESTA application once. Each time we land they say that she is on the system.

i did say SUPPOSED to...

When they eventually get rid of the I95W form, and you only have an ESTA, i think it will be enforced that you have to update everything to be correct. If people get into the routine of doing it now, then it will make things easier in future.... This however, is just my opinion...

M

stoneman

markymoo wrote: »

i did say SUPPOSED to...

When they eventually get rid of the I95W form, and you only have an ESTA, i think it will be enforced that you have to update everything to be correct. If people get into the routine of doing it now, then it will make things easier in future.... This however, is just my opinion...

M

I haven't read anywhere that it says you will ever have to do it, but then I am known for skimming over things,,,, when it suits me;)

hairy_g

mstar wrote: »

hello

i got a good deal with a travel agent for only be told after all booking confirmed to make sure i register on the: http://www.esta-uk.org/
(or other ESTA website esta.us) but this is a additional £20 fee for this authorisation for "Any person who intends to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and is entering the U.S. by air or sea"

has other people visited the USA (NYC is where i am going) had to do this too? or is this another un-necessary thing and paying? i would think at the airport u do this anyway is they want u to??

If your Travel agent is reccomending one of those sites, then they are either stupid or getting a [STRIKE]backhander[/STRIKE] commission....i'm betting they're not stupid.

Wammer

Totally agree markymoo. Although it is relatively new, it has been bandied about for almost a year now and as it is a requirement for travel to the US the TA SHOULD know the score about it being free.