New Guide Discussion: Everyone needs ESTA for US travel

Johnny_Runner

You should really take this advice seriously. One such website is nasty and insidious. Although it is not illegal or fraudulent, it is at best immoral and unethical, passing itself off as the official website.
I hope this post helps others from walking into the same "trap" I did and paying well over the odds for a travel visa. Please share it if you think any of your FB friends would benefit from seeing it.
I am about to travel to New Zealand via LAX. In accordance with USA law even though I am only 'in transit', I need a Visa Waiver (known now as ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). Whe...n I Googled ESTA Visas I saw and used a link to ESTAVISAS.ORG. Please be aware that this is NOT an official website, but a third-party application service that charges a total of $140 (£90) for their service instead of just the $14 (£9) visa fee.
Their website is very misleading and the application form looks just like the one on the official US Homeland website. Nowhere does it say how much you will have to pay, not even on the payment authorisation page of the application process. My credit card company takes a very dim view of this, but they can do nothing about it.
Avoid ESTAVISAS.ORG like the plague! I feel that their website is not only misleading but quite unethical - unfortunately their service is not fraudulent and no refund is possible, and even if it were your visa would automatically be denied and future applications may well not go through.
Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware!! OK, rant over.

dannny_2

Johnny_Runner wrote: »

Avoid ESTAVISAS.ORG like the plague! I feel that their website is not only misleading but quite unethical - unfortunately their service is not fraudulent and no refund is possible

Can't disagree with you there. Unfortunately they're not based in the UK so aren't regulated here. Complain to your credit card company though, you have nothing to lose in doing so.

blinkns1

Hey there, I have been a victim of the bogus website scams. I was charged £80 for my visa and then the extra $14 to make sure I had one!

I put in a visa dispute form with my bank but they said I couldn't get the money back as the company gave me the visa but just charged an excessive amount for it!

Is there anything I can do to get my money back?

Thanks in advance

Nathan

spronger

Yes I was scammed by this web site last month, I was in a hurry and managing with a poor internet connection at the time. The site looked like the genuine US site. I should have taken more care but it was only at the very last stage that the $140 came up rather than the usual $14 - easy to miss and I did, it was not until my Credit Card statement came through I realised my foolish mistake!


They have an address in London so I can't see the argument that it is not UK based unless that is bogus too. If it has some base in the UK then I think the Trading Standards should get involved. I will obviously take MUCH more care next time... But scammers like this should be closed down!

Toki

I posted this in the wrong place, could anyone advise please?


I've been reading the ESTA help section regarding passport requirements, extract below

Am I right in thinking my passport from April 2005 issue which has chevrons and electronic signature but what looks like actual, not digital photo means I'll be okay?

Thanks in advance.

The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page.
Issued on or after October 26, 2005 – Each Visa Waiver Program passport issued on or after this date must have a digital photo.
Issued on or after October 26, 2006 – Each Visa Waiver Program passport issued on or after this date must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.

A machine readable passport contains two lines of text with numbers and chevrons (<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page with the passport bearer's picture. Document requirements vary according to the date a passport was issued or renewed as follows:
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before October 26, 2005 have no additional requirements.
If a passport was issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2005 and does not meet the following requirements, the traveler must obtain a visa:
1. Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2005 through October 25, 2006 must meet the following requirements: A digital photograph printed on the passport data page is required OR an integrated chip containing information from the data page (e-passport). A digital photo is one that is printed on the page, not a photo that is glued or laminated into the passport.
2. Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006 are required to be e-passports.
For more information, please see the Customs and Border Protection Web site, CBP.gov, under Travel, For International Visitors, Visiting for Business or Pleasure, Visa Waiver Program.

jackieblack

Toki wrote: »

I posted this in the wrong place, could anyone advise please?


I've been reading the ESTA help section regarding passport requirements, extract below

Am I right in thinking my passport from April 2005 issue which has chevrons and electronic signature but what looks like actual, not digital photo means I'll be okay?

It's fine.
My husband and daughter had passports issued May 2005 exactly as you describe and used them to travel to the USA 8 times since then

dexy10

Can anybody advise (or been in a similar situation) with regard to whether or not an ESTA will suffice for my forthcoming trip to the USA in June... bearing in mind that I have a SP30 and that this wasn't a fixed penalty, but given by a judge at court (along with 6 points and a £280 fine)?

Advise from the Embassy is vague to say the least!

Thanks...

jackieblack

dexy10 wrote: »

Can anybody advise (or been in a similar situation) with regard to whether or not an ESTA will suffice for my forthcoming trip to the USA in June... bearing in mind that I have a SP30 and that this wasn't a fixed penalty, but given by a judge at court (along with 6 points and a £280 fine)?

Advise from the Embassy is vague to say the least!

Thanks...

The relevant question is:
Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance; or been arrested or convicted for two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentence to confinement was five years or more; or been a controlled substance trafficker; or are you seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities?
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm

Based on the information you've given, the answer to this is no so, as long as you fulfil all the other criteria for the VWP, ESTA should be ok

johnbhoy

Hi all travelling to USA in august shall I get esta visa now or wait till august before I go over to visit? If I were to purchase now would it be valid from today or can I put date from when I travel out?? Cheers

Wammer

It would be valid from today for 2 years or until your passport expires.

I wouldn't leave it until the last minute just in case there is a problem with your application.