Do we need a Visa? HELP!

paulinespens

There will also be a customs for to fill in on the plane. You will need to enter this when you go to customs.

ferf1223

paulinespens wrote: »

You will need to fill in an ESTA from before flying. If in doubt of any links please check the US Embassys website in London. There is many scam esta sites out there which charge you for something that is free.

You will be given a green form on the plane or before boarding. Its called a i-94w

Depending on which airport you're flying into. They've stopped doing the green form on flights into LAX and Philly at least...eventually ESTA will completely replace the green forms.

paulinespens

ferf1223 wrote: »

Depending on which airport you're flying into. They've stopped doing the green form on flights into LAX and Philly at least...eventually ESTA will completely replace the green forms.

I think they are flying somewhere into Florida. Im a green card holder so I don't need to worry about all this stuff no thank god.

ferf1223

paulinespens wrote: »

I think they are flying somewhere into Florida. Im a green card holder so I don't need to worry about all this stuff no thank god.

I'm American, so neither do I. But my husband does. I don't know what the time table is for getting rid of the green forms completely, but it's nice to see that it's started at least. My husband doesn't have an issue with filling out the form in addition to ESTA, but so many people make such a big fuss out of it it will be nice when it's all transitioned over.

luci

tasha-debt wrote: »

ESTA is a visa that all UK citizens need to apply for, it is free. Use this link:

http://www.esta.co.uk/

Just to reiterate what ferf said, DO NOT use that link. Use the official one in ferf's post.

To put it simply, most people qualify to apply for an ESTA, which is very easy and authorises you to travel to the US. It's being used alongside the I94-W which is a visa waiver, meaning you don't need a visa.

However if anyone has been arrested or convicted of a crime involving "moral turpitude" (look it up in wikipedia) or drugs offences then they may not qualify and will have to apply for a visa from the US Embassy which involves travelling to the embassy and can be expensive.

I would suggest going through the Visa Waiver Wizard to see if you qualify.

The ESTA lasts for 2 years, you don't need to present a copy of it, but there is no harm in printing a copy for your records.

quickpost

luci wrote: »

if anyone has been arrested or convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (look it up in wikipedia) or drugs offences then they may not qualify

Don't use wiki to look up moral turpitude, its incorrect and tries to answer a complex subject in a very simplified manner. Generally the days of selfcertification and petty offenses has gone with the introduction of ESTA and any "incorrect" answer on the form always results in a refusal. However, using petty offenses when travelling from canada to the US would still be ok as ESTA is not required.

luci wrote: »

I would suggest going through the Visa Waiver Wizard to see if you qualify.

The Visa Waiver Wizard is definately wrong. Example. any arrest tells you to apply for a visa.

dzug1

quickpost wrote: »

However, using petty offenses when travelling from canada to the US would still be ok as ESTA is not required. .

Given that you are exactly the same questions how does that work then?

quickpost

dzug1 wrote: »

Given that you are exactly the same questions how does that work then?

Any positive on esta would get a refusal to travel.

Going via the land border presenting an I94-W at immigration with that box ticket would get you sent to secondary. This was commonly done before ESTA by ticking the box on the plane and using Juvenile or petty offences exemption, and is still done by Canadians today.

Ticking no on ESTA and yes on the I94-W would get you into heaps of trouble.:D

Interesting article here written BEFORE ESTA by an immigration lawyer

"ortega-medina.com/criminal_inadmissibility_and_the_petty_offense_exception"

"The good news is that if one satisfies the requirements of the "petty offense exception", one may enter the United States without first visiting the embassy or enduring the lengthy and onerous burden of applying for a waiver."

latpreschool

Thanks everyone for your help!

dzug1

quickpost wrote: »

Any positive on esta would get a refusal to travel.

Going via the land border presenting an I94-W at immigration with that box ticket would get you sent to secondary. This was commonly done before ESTA by ticking the box on the plane and using Juvenile or petty offences exemption, and is still done by Canadians today.

Ticking no on ESTA and yes on the I94-W would get you into heaps of trouble.:D

Interesting article here written BEFORE ESTA by an immigration lawyer

"ortega-medina.com/criminal_inadmissibility_and_the_petty_offense_exception"

"The good news is that if one satisfies the requirements of the "petty offense exception", one may enter the United States without first visiting the embassy or enduring the lengthy and onerous burden of applying for a waiver."

Useful info - but not quite what I was getting at.

Is there any difference in ticking NO on an ESTA and NO on the I94W - when the statements are untrue. Is one more likely to be found out than the other?