New Guide Discussion: Beat the impending ESTA charge

SallyA_2

Whoops!

Do you just print it off then??

whatajoke1

SallyA wrote: »

Do you just print it off then??

You don't even have to do that.

Its always a good idea to keep a printed copy, and note the Application Number, if you need to make any changes in the future.

SallyA_2

So do they just know from your passport that you have registered?

Many THanks for all your help btw xxx

whatajoke1

SallyA wrote: »

So do they just know from your passport that you have registered?

In the simplest of ways, yes. The esta information is available to the airlines and to US immigration.

dan8

I'm travelling to Canada next week by air and hope to go to the US briefly over the Rainbow Bridge land border crossing at Niagara Falls. Do I need to apply in advance for an ESTA permit when (a) I have no US address or flight details to supply and (b) will only cross into the US by land not by air? Any idea?

Thanks

whatajoke1

dan8 wrote: »

I'm travelling to Canada next week by air and hope to go to the US briefly over the Rainbow Bridge land border crossing at Niagara Falls. Do I need to apply in advance for an ESTA permit when (a) I have no US address or flight details to supply and (b) will only cross into the US by land not by air? Any idea?

You do not need esta for the land border

There is no harm in doing one now if you intend to travel the the states in the next couple of years.

dzug1

You will need to pay $6 US at the land border though. In US currency - they don't take Canadian

stella-blue

As I applied for (and received) my ESTA in 2009, I'm applying for another before the charge happens. I have a long history of holidays in the USA (since 1979, when everyone needed a visa) and when my latest visa expired when it was 10 years old, I reapplied which involved a long queue in London.

At the embassy, I was told I shouldn't have applied to renew my visa as I didn't need one for normal holidays of 5 weeks. This was in 2007 and I carried on with visits to New York city in 2007, 2008 and 2009 with no problem.

However, also in 2009, I visited Las Vegas which included landing in Atlanta, where the officials stopped me. They said 'it' (?) had been shown that I had a visa refused in 2007, so took me into a room. I did have my husband with me on that occasion, don't know if that had anything to do with it. Anyway, I explained my 'sin' of not saying on the green form on the plane that I had had a visa refused and when I explained, they said OK and I was admitted.

So now, what do I do about my new ESTA application? If I tick the box to say my visa was refused, will this mean I have to go and queue again and then have the visa refused again? And then have to ask these questions all over again? Is this the real 'Groundhog Day'?

I didn't consider my case consisted of a 'refusal' of a visa, I haven't done anything wrong.

Please can somebody advise me?

whatajoke1

stella-blue wrote: »

I visited Las Vegas which included landing in Atlanta, where the officials stopped me. They said 'it' (?) had been shown that I had a visa refused in 2007, so took me into a room.

The US know you had a visa refused.

stella-blue wrote: »

what do I do about my new ESTA application? If I tick the box to say my visa was refused, will this mean I have to go and queue again and then have the visa refused again?

You state you had a visa refused on the ESTA. The US know you had a visa refused. This does NOT mean the ESTA is automatically refused. If it did you would NOT have got entry in Atlanta under the VWP.

stella-blue wrote: »

I didn't consider my case consisted of a 'refusal' of a visa, I haven't done anything wrong.

Doesn't matter what you think.

stella-blue wrote: »

Please can somebody advise me?

The answer to the question

F) Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa or entry into the U.S. or had a U.S. visa canceled?

is YES. Thats the problem with applying for a B2, the constant trips to secondary on arrival when its refused.

B2 visas are VERY difficult to get since 9/11, as the US consider you can do everything you need in 90 days. (apart from stuff like walk the Appalachian Trail, spend a season skiing, etc etc which is slightly annoying)

stella-blue

Thanks, whatajoke1 I guess that's answered me, but why wasn't I stopped at Newark in 07, 08 or 09, any ideas?