New Guide Discussion: Beat the impending ESTA charge

Former_MSE_Natasha

This thread is specifically to discuss the

Free ESTA: Beat the impending charge for permission to travel to the US NOW

Click reply to discuss. Thanks!

bubbles0169

could someone help me please!
were getting married in sept 2012 and will probably honeymoon in the october, if we apply for the esta now it will run out before we want to go wont it so if we reapply within the two years from oct 2010 will we get charged?

nienta

I'm a US citizen with permanent residence in the UK- would I need to fill one of these out? ...I'm sure it's obvious but I've no clue

Thanks!

Marty06

Nienta - as long as you are still a US Citizen and can prove it (i.e. a valid US Passport), you don't need ESTA. ESTA is only for people entering the US on the Visa Waiver program (i.e. non citizens). http://www.usembassy.org.uk/americanservices/?p=519

Marty06

bubbles0169 wrote: »

could someone help me please!
were getting married in sept 2012 and will probably honeymoon in the october, if we apply for the esta now it will run out before we want to go wont it so if we reapply within the two years from oct 2010 will we get charged?

Yes, if charges are introduced in September 2010, you will have to pay in order to get an ESTA for October 2012 (although you might still think about doing it sooner rather than later - i.e. as soon as you could get it and it still be valid in two years' time - in case the charge goes up in the next two years!) Your best hope is that charges are not introduced until November 2010 so that you can apply and get an ESTA that is valid through your honeymoon.

Or you could get married earlier - but that's a big decision to save $20....:)

willowbrooke

Recently flew to Phoenix and thought that all that form filling we used to do at the end of a 10 hr flight was at an end because we all have ESTA's now don't we? and bionic passports too? Think again, and then some!

Cabin crew.."Green form for you sir?"

Me..."Well, we've registered for the ESTA scheme so thats all taken care of ?"

Cabin crew.. "Well no sir, apparently not, you still have to fill out the form as well for the time being."

Me... (lost for words at this point)...... now looking at form again ..... musing over my "terroist" status......... "Are you a terroist? Yes/No..."

And they want to start charging for this service!!!

Sorry had to have a rant.
The holiday was amazing - rafting the Colorado through Grand Canyon - life changing - truly spectacular.

Marty06

Willowbroke - yes, it would be nice if one form did it all.

Unfortunately, the ESTA and the Visa Waiver (i.e. the green form) are doing two different things. The ESTA is post-9/11 'no fly list' check. Thus the bestl use of the ESTA should be to deny you boarding the aircraft bound for US airspace, rather than anything to do with getting access into the country (though presumably it is meant to act as a secondary check on stopping terrorists entering US territory). For this reason, I think it's now compulsory that airlines require proof of the ESTA at check-in.

The green visa waiver is the traditional 'immigration' document (i.e. are you entitled to enter US and can you prove that you are going to behave and not overstay your 90-day entitlement under the visa waiver programme). The green form is used by other bits of the US government who have no concern with no fly issues (e.g. to count the number of visitors etc.). The questions are indeed somewhat strange - Nazi warcrimes etc. - but I guess that's just reflecting what's in the legislation that authorizes the waiver.

A couple of tips on the visa waiver form: always make a note of your address (or 1st night stay) in the US plus your passport number and flight number before you leave. That saves you having to find all the documents mid-flight. Also, make sure that when you leave the airline crew remove the green departure slip that is normally stapled to your passport. Otherwise, you may still be classed as present in the US.

duchy

Not quite correct ESTA is currently in transition to replace the green forms. Some US airports are already ESTA only-over time more are migrating and the green form is to be phased out.

tedharris_2

I recently made a land border crossing into the USA from Canada. The ESTA was handed back to me and was told the ESTA was only valid if arriving by air, After being fingerprinted and photo taken a new form filled in, was charged $6. Is this going to apply in the future?

Marty06

duchy wrote: »

Not quite correct ESTA is currently in transition to replace the green forms. Some US airports are already ESTA only-over time more are migrating and the green form is to be phased out.

Well, that would be good news. At the moment I was told they relate to different things and serve different purposes. But combining everything makes sense and avoids the confusion.

jamesbrownontheroad

tedharris wrote: »

I recently made a land border crossing into the USA from Canada. The ESTA was handed back to me and was told the ESTA was only valid if arriving by air, After being fingerprinted and photo taken a new form filled in, was charged $6. Is this going to apply in the future?

I haven't done it recently, but I used to take the daily Amtrak train from Montr!al to New York on a regular basis. Back then (2005 / 2006) I was always charged for the processing of the Visa Waiver (green card) - apparently a charge absorbed by the airline or passed on the air fare when you fly into the States. This was never a particularly friendly experience, as any passengers needing the waiver were marched from their seats to the lounge car where a surly agent took his sweet time stamping things and generally not being very friendly. And especially as the first time I had barely enough US currency to pay for it... Canadian dollars not acceptable, of course, and best have the right change too.