New Guide Discussion: Everyone needs ESTA for US travel

Peter.B_2

I have an air ticket to the USA to New York and return flights from Toronto, and wish to cross from the USA to Canada by land.

Can I use the visa waiver process or do I have to get a visa. The ETSA website and help is not clear whether an onward flight from Canada back to the UK is okay.

jackieblack

Peter.B wrote: »

I have an air ticket to the USA to New York and return flights from Toronto, and wish to cross from the USA to Canada by land.

Can I use the visa waiver process or do I have to get a visa. The ETSA website and help is not clear whether an onward flight from Canada back to the UK is okay.

Assuming you have a GB passport and satisfy the criteria for VWP: you will need ESTA to travel by air TO the USA,
You don't need anything to cross from USA into Canada and can fly home from anywhere you like

Peter.B_2

That is what I was hoping to hear. However, the ETSA website says you must have a return air tickets to USA (or in transit) to use the visa waiver arrangements. I would not be in transit as I would be staying in the USA for a few days. Technically I will not have a return air ticket to the USA as I would be returning from Canada.

I don''t want to have to pay thousands of pound on a holiday only to find I am denied entry because of a technicality..

jackieblack

Friends did this a couple of years ago (flew into Seattle, spent a week, got train to Vancouver and flew home from there) and didn't have any problems but slightly different info given here,http://london.usembassy.gov/mobile/faq-vwp.html

If I fly into the United States and out of Canada or Mexico, do I need a visa?
It will depend on your itinerary. If you have an onward ticket for each stage of your journey, including the journey between the United States and Canada or Mexico, you may travel without a visa. Should you choose to travel this way, you must be in possession of the tickets for each stage of your journey on your initial entry into the United States. You cannot buy the ticket for the journey between the United States and Canada or Mexico on your arrival in the United States. If you will depart the United States for Canada or Mexico by private transport, you will require a visa.
:huh:
Maybe because they had the train pre-booked it made a difference (?)

How are you planning to travel between NY and Toronto?

harps83

Hi I am applying for a visa waiver and it asks about aliases. i am currently going through a divorce and my passport is actually in my maiden name as is my flight etc... do i declare my married name as it is still officially my name and probably will be when i travel or is it okk just to leave this infio out? i dont want to be stopped travelling!

jackieblack

Use the name your passport and flight are in.
Lots of married women use both their maiden and married names for different things and they won't know what name you use for what purpose (IYSWIM), but your ESTA needs to be in the same name as your passport and flights

harps83

Thanks JackieBlack, i just worry that they will check my employment details and see a different name. Just not sure whether to mention it in aliases section?

EssexExile

I would mention your married name if you use it, especially as it is your name (at the moment). If you don't, they may think you are trying to hide something.

flybynight

we went to the sates at the end of aug and had to get the esta things ( all good despite me misspelling the missis name and having to get it sorted), they are valid for 3 years, and we are going back in may on holiday. the problem is that my passport runs out in jan and I need to renew it. will I have to get a new est ( ie its linked to my passport) or will it still be valid with new passport ( ie its linked to my passport record)

jackieblack

flybynight wrote: »

we went to the sates at the end of aug and had to get the esta things ( all good despite me misspelling the missis name and having to get it sorted), they are valid for 3 years, and we are going back in may on holiday. the problem is that my passport runs out in jan and I need to renew it. will I have to get a new est ( ie its linked to my passport) or will it still be valid with new passport ( ie its linked to my passport record)

New passport = new ESTA

Unless it's changed recently they're usually valid for 2 years