📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

New Guide Discussion: Beat the impending ESTA charge

Options
17810121319

Comments

  • whatajoke1
    whatajoke1 Posts: 145 Forumite
    edited 12 August 2010 at 8:55PM
    dzug1 wrote: »
    Aren't the documents quoted guides to US Consular officials as to whether to grant a visa (in particular an immigrant visa) or not. Not guides to the general public as to whether they are eligible for the visa waiver scheme.

    Correct.

    Question here is whether the person can "self-certify" Juvenile delinquency (9 FAM 40.21(a) N9.4-1 Under Age 15) on a question that is precise.
    Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance
    Me wrote:
    IMO the person needs to firstly get a copy of the PNC record, see what that says, then consult an immgration solicitor - not CAB or a "general" solicitor but a specialist. Possible problem here is whether you can self-certify the shoplifting
  • whatajoke1
    whatajoke1 Posts: 145 Forumite
    Just to confuse this even further

    https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#Help%20is%20provided%20for%20some%20of%20the%20%22Do%20any%20of%20the%20following%20apply%20to%20you?%22%20questions%20where%20the%20meanings%20are%20less%20clear:
    Crimes involving moral turpitude - Such offenses generally involve conduct which is inherently base, vile, or depraved and contrary to the accepted rules of morality and the duties owed to persons or society in general. There are factors, such as the age of the offender or the date of the offense, that may affect whether an offense will be considered a crime involving moral turpitude for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
    For further information refer to § 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2), § 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43) and corresponding regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.


    "There are factors, such as the age of the offender ..... that may affect whether an offense will be considered a crime involving moral turpitude......."

    So, does this mean the applicant makes that determination, hence finds its not a Cimt and can tick NO truthfully, (as this screen is on the ESTA help), or is that something for the 'US' to determine.
  • now sorted- tried again, got confirmation straight away (safely printed and stored on file..)
    Long time away from MSE, been dealing real life stuff..
    Sometimes seen lurking on the compers forum :-)

  • I took Martin's advice and filled in the form, got an application number, passed it on to a couple of friends I know regularly travel to the US.
    Then I asked myself...


    although this application last 2 years, what If I travel there many times a year would I need an application number every time I enter the US?
    Would it be advisable to get say 10 application numbers one for every time a person entered US or will one application last for the whole two years regardless of how many times a person went into the US?

    Does anyone know the answer on this one??
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker

    I took Martin's advice and filled in the form, got an application number, passed it on to a couple of friends I know regularly travel to the US.
    Then I asked myself...


    although this application last 2 years, what If I travel there many times a year would I need an application number every time I enter the US?
    Would it be advisable to get say 10 application numbers one for every time a person entered US or will one application last for the whole two years regardless of how many times a person went into the US?

    Does anyone know the answer on this one??


    Every time you get an application number it will cancel all its predecessors so there's not the slightest point in doing more than one
  • I'm planning to make 3 trips to the US in the next 2 years or so - one in November 2010, one in late sept 2011 and another in early sept 2012

    Assuming i apply for ESTA before 8 sept (eg 5th sept) 2010, and dont state the flight details bit or address to stay (as these are not obligatory ) can I :
    use the same (initial) application for all 3 trips, assuming they are all within 2 years of applying? (I am assuming i will keep a print out of my application reference number, for the initial application - and have it available to me throughout the 2 year period, also my passport remains valid for the full 2+ year period)
    More specifically, for the final visit, which is Sept 2012, can I still use it for travel TO the USA and arriving before 5th sept (eg 4th sept) but then departing USA after the 2 years is up - in other words, Oct 2012 - does the ESTA need to be valid for the entire visit to USA or just valid on entry (arrival)?

    This might mean all 3 visits would not incur a charge, if i do not need to reapply for these dates given.

    Can any of you clarify this?
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The answer is that the one ESTA remains valid for all the trips you are proposing. It can be used as many times as you want in the two years and just needs to be valid on entry.
    Basically it's permission to fly, not permission for entry. For entry you need to meet visa waiver rules.

    Even if you do state flight details, it's still valid for multiple trips to different destinations in the US
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 14 August 2010 at 1:53PM
    dzug1 wrote: »
    The answer to how long is up to 72 hours

    The answer to the rest of your question is a big unknown.

    Having read the US press release, I can now answer the rest of the question - it's the date the application is filed (ie submitted) that determines whether the fee is payable or not. So if you apply on 7thh - no fee. If you apply on 8th there is. US time, presumably.

    And it's an application fee - you still pay if you are refused.
  • hi

    just wondering - my passport expires in august next year so i know i need a new passport to travel to Florida and mexico next May.

    however if i apply to get the ESTA will they reject it as my passport witll be expiring? dont want to get new passport yet though!
    cc.£4265.
    loans!!!
    stay focused!!!


  • ferf1223
    ferf1223 Posts: 8,936 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    hi

    just wondering - my passport expires in august next year so i know i need a new passport to travel to Florida and mexico next May.

    however if i apply to get the ESTA will they reject it as my passport witll be expiring? dont want to get new passport yet though!

    You don't need a new passport to go to Florida in May if your passport expires in August - you do not need 6 months validity beyond your travel dates for the US - not sure about Mexico but may be worth checking.

    Your ESTA will be good for 2 years or the date your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
    Does remembering a time that a certain degree of personal responsibility was more or less standard means that I am officially old?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 599.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177K Life & Family
  • 257.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.