MSE News: Esta site struggling ahead of new US tourist tax 7 September 2010 at 12:01PM in Flights, Currency & Car Hire 42 replies 5.4K views

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"MoneySavers have complained the site is inaccessible or slow loading when trying to apply for a travel permit today..."

Read the full story:
Esta site struggling ahead of new US tourist tax

callum9999

"Ensure you make note of this as it isn't emailed to you and you may need to amend your details, such as flights and accommodation information, in future."

I was under the impression this is all a back-room system, i.e. you just apply for an ESTA then you travel to the US whenever you want over the next 2 years and they just find you on the system from your passport.

I applied for the ESTA a while ago and didn't write down the number because of this - do I need to sign up again then?

nw_man

Well, it may sound harsh but surely these last minute people knew of the situation weeks or even months ago ?

Serves them right for leaving it so long !

We renewed all ours on sunday and it was totally fine

nw_man

callum9999 wrote: »

"Ensure you make note of this as it isn't emailed to you and you may need to amend your details, such as flights and accommodation information, in future."

I was under the impression this is all a back-room system, i.e. you just apply for an ESTA then you travel to the US whenever you want over the next 2 years and they just find you on the system from your passport.

I applied for the ESTA a while ago and didn't write down the number because of this - do I need to sign up again then?

No, not at all.

You do not have to have the documentation with you at US immigration.

callum9999

nw_man wrote: »

No, not at all.

You do not have to have the documentation with you at US immigration.

I thought so, and why would you need to amend flight and accomodation details. You aren't meant to contact them before every time you go there to update them are you?

Amber_Sunshine

I've just submitted my application. The page wouldn't load the first time, but I had no problems on the second attempt.

thommy

callum9999 wrote: »

"Ensure you make note of this as it isn't emailed to you and you may need to amend your details, such as flights and accommodation information, in future."

I was under the impression this is all a back-room system, i.e. you just apply for an ESTA then you travel to the US whenever you want over the next 2 years and they just find you on the system from your passport.

I applied for the ESTA a while ago and didn't write down the number because of this - do I need to sign up again then?

you, in theory, shouldn't need a hard copy of the ESTA. However, some people have been asked for it in the US.
we travelled to south america via maimi. we were asked to show it at bristol airport but not on arrival in miami. the immigration bloke even asked if we had done it (but didn't ask to see it!) when i was under the impression that he only had to check his computer!
this is the main bit - when travelling back to miami from s america we had to show we had the esta. they were not going to let us even check in unti lwe showed them a print out of it.
i'd get re registered if you have no record, just to be on the safe side.

Jimmy_t'one

It seems like another reason not to go to the US. It's a joke that we are now effectively paying to be treated like 2nd class citizens at US Immigration.

paythebills

URGENT!!


Sorry for any repetition, but I do want to get this sorted.

Is there anyone who has seen the message currently displayed on the ESTA application site...


"ESTA is undergoing routine maintenance. Please check back later."


..who has subsequently been able to successfully make an application or at least see the application page??


I suppose that person would have also had come back to read this thread once successfully applying.. Like me! I've made two applications and on returning to make a third, I've been faced with the above message.


Any replies from user and/or mods would be gratefully appreciated.


Regards,


PTB

suered

I just managed to do it - it took an awful lot of patiently refreshing the browser though.

Once you do get through to a page where you're actually inputting information, then STAY on that page, just clicking refresh however many times is necessary - it will eventually move on to the next page with your info.

And it showed as approved - although I do still have one that was good for another year, so it might be the completely new ones that are showing as "pending"?

hth

Starrystarrynight

I've never been asked to show a print of the ESTA at US immigration, which is good as I don't have a printer!
Renewed ours on Sunday without any problems.
Hope everyone manages to get sorted :-)