New Guide Discussion: Beat the impending ESTA charge

dzug1

looloo44 wrote: »

i have a U.S visa from working for an airline, would i need to complete an esta or could i enter the U.S on my visa as it is still vaild?

Your visa is only valid for the purpose for which it was issued - ie work. If you are entering the USA on vacation you will need either to do the ESTA or get a tourist visa.

sizzlerman

Going to america late august do i need a printer or can i just get the reference number. I can use a printer at the library but my wife does not like the idea of giving important information over the internet where there are lots of people around (dont know if someone is looking in):j

dzug1

sizzlerman wrote: »

Going to america late august do i need a printer or can i just get the reference number. I can use a printer at the library but my wife does not like the idea of giving important information over the internet where there are lots of people around (dont know if someone is looking in):j

You don't need either - scanning your passport at the airport/on arrival will show whether you have one or not to the satisfaction of the airline/US authorities. If the scan shows you haven't got one no reference number or printout is going to convince anyone you have. OK it might convince them to look a little harder, but computer's word is fnal.

Having the reference number does mean you can update your details though.

Danstar_2

I'm going to uni in the states in august, I have a student visa do I still need to do ESTA?

brightonman123

there does not seem to be any option to apply without a travel date- ie get one, just in case i want/need to travel to USA..?

Doshwaster

sizzlerman wrote: »

Going to america late august do i need a printer or can i just get the reference number. I can use a printer at the library but my wife does not like the idea of giving important information over the internet where there are lots of people around (dont know if someone is looking in):j

I go to the US with work about 4 times a year. I have never been asked for a printout of the ESTA or the reference number.

The biggest problem I had was with a jobsworth border guard. On the green form I had put "Marriott Hotel, Whatever street, New York". He insisted that he needed a building number. I said that I didn't know it but there was only one Marriott hotel on that street. He repeated that he needed *a* number. "Oh, 150" I said - and that was accepted. He just needed *a* number. It didn't matter whether it was correct or not!

dzug1

Danstar wrote: »

I'm going to uni in the states in august, I have a student visa do I still need to do ESTA?

If you are travelling on your student visa - no

dzug1

brightonman123 wrote: »

there does not seem to be any option to apply without a travel date- ie get one, just in case i want/need to travel to USA..?

Just put a date, any date. It doesn't commit you

dougal76

My wife is Canadian and she has a Canadian passport, will she need to fill in a ESTA form or is she exempt so to speak??

Thanks

kanure

Beware of travelling in through one airport and out through a different one.

In April I travelled to the US flying with American Airlines entering through LAX but leaving through Houston. American Airlines have an agreement in California that the green I94 forms aren't required but Texas doesn't so demanded to see a completed and immigration stamped one for my exit journey.

I didn't have a stamped one but I had bothered to complete one on the trip out so gave the check in lady that. Fortunately with the whole ash cloud/volcano causing flight chaos at the time the processing office in London, Kentucky (yes, really!) were accepting pretty much any green I94 form so I got away with it but if this applies to your trip be careful to have something to prove your point of entry.

Always get the green card removed from your passport on your way home too. If it gets missed (happened to me last year) then you have to post it back to the correct location, they don't acknowledge receipt or processing and you won't know if you are classed as an overstayer until you try and re-enter the country. Don't do what British immigration told me and ignore it! US immigration will have you logged as arriving and not as having left.

I was advised after this incident to take proof of my job and paid work in the UK since my return to reassure immigration should they have questions.

Never been asked for my ESTA reference number yet despite 6 trips to the US in the last 16 months.

K