New Guide Discussion: Everyone needs ESTA for US travel

saynotofastway

Well I ticked the box and got Travel not authorized. Looks like i'll have to apply for a VISA?

dzug1

saynotofastway wrote: »

Well I ticked the box and got Travel not authorized. Looks like i'll have to apply for a VISA?

Exactly

It's long enough ago for the US to decide to ignore it, but you have to go through the process. Allow plenty of time - they won't decide quickly

dzug1

Dkrobinson wrote: »

Hi,

Currently getting all my travel documents ready to go away in June. Was just wondering, I was born in Canada. Moved back to the UK with my parents when i was 3 and got a British passport ever since. Looking to renew my Canadian passport at the minute, and was just wondering if I fly from Belfast using my Canadian passport, do I need an ESTA? And would everything be okay on the US border side?

Canadians (using a Canadian passport) can enter the US without an ESTA and don't need a visa either save in exceptional circumstances

Onionbhaji

Apologies if this has been asked before. My son has just been convicted for drink driving in the UK (23 mth ban). He is booked on a trip to New York in November. I presume he should still apply for an Esta? Does he need to declare his dd conviction?

dannny_2

Onionbhaji wrote: »

Apologies if this has been asked before. My son has just been convicted for drink driving in the UK (23 mth ban). He is booked on a trip to New York in November. I presume he should still apply for an Esta? Does he need to declare his dd conviction?

no.

Althought the US embassy in London say you need a visa if you have ever been arrested or convicted, this is hogwash.

See

state.gov/documents/organization/86942.pdf

add WWW. to the start of that

"Crimes committed against governmental authority, which would not constitute moral turpitude for visa-issuance purposes, are, in general, violation of laws which are regulatory in character and which do not involve the element of fraud or other evil intent. The following list assumes that the statutes involved do not require the showing of an intent to defraud, or evil intent:

(1) Black market violations;
(2) Breach of the peace;
(3) Carrying a concealed weapon;
(4) Desertion from the Armed Forces;
(5) Disorderly conduct;
(6) Drunk or reckless driving;"

You can safely tick no and use the VWP.

The answer to the question, if asked by CBP, to "have you ever been arrested" would be "YES". So always answer honestly.

MattJG

Hi there wondering if you could help me?

I'm looking to take my family to Disney Orlando next year, from the UK, and need to know what to apply for to go. The issue is I have a Police caution against my name which I received for a ridiculous drunken moment on my part last November for Criminal Damage, my first ever offence. Secondly my partner was convicted of a traffic offence last Septemer for Driving without due cause and attention, Failing to stop and report within 24 hours, and failing to to exchange details. She received a 200 hour community order which has since been served. What is the likely hood of either of us being allowed to travel?
I've been in Thomas Cook travel agents this afternoon and was advised that they know of people from experience who have travelled with worse offences, and mentioned that it only costs £15 to apply per person with an almost instant decision.

Since returning home I've looked up the details for the US embassy in London, and all I can see concerning visas is that it would cost in excess of £200, and that if I want to speak to somebody then I would have to phone a premium rate 090 number which costs about £1.50/minute.

Could somebody help me please as I need to know what exactly I need to apply for, and how much it costs, because the info I've got so far differs so greatly, I just feel like pulling my hair out and taking the Kids to Disney Paris (which I really begrudge doing) instead.

Thanks you.

dannny_2

MattJG wrote: »

Criminal Damage

Not a CiMT

MattJG wrote: »

Driving without due cause (CARE) and attention, Failing to stop and report within 24 hours, and failing to to exchange details.

Not a CiMT

So you can safely tick NO. However, if asked at immigration if you have ever been arrested, the answer would be yes. But as the offences don't make you ineligible to use the VWP you are OK.

grannybiker

briefly....
Applied online, but not approved straight away, despite nothing if concern on the application. Confirmation email received.
Logged back in 4 days later and got "No group found" despite triple checking details.
Applied again and got another confirmation email as again, not approved straight away.
Waited 5 days and again tried to retrieve application, only to get the same "No group found" message.
Very frustrating
Have now emailled via their form, but is anyone else having / had these problems? How were they resolved?
TIA X

ferf1223

I have never tried a group application but looking at the site - what happens if you opt to retrieve a group ID first - then use the ID it gives you?

jackieblack

I found using the group application very problematic, it kept not recognizing the group ID. I can't remember how I finally got it sorted in the end, but when they come due for renewal I'll be doing them individually and not bothering with the group thing again.