New Guide Discussion: Everyone needs ESTA for US travel

dzug1

She doesn't need to apply again for ESTA - that is valid for two years.

Each visit she makes in that two years can be up to 90 days.

What sounds to be happening is that (if she understood it right) is that they think she is visiting too often to be a tourist. If that is the case then yes she can be refused admission. Applying for another ESTA will not change that. Staying away from the US for longer will. And no - there is no set period, no certainty - it's entirely what the immigration officer (and his boss) decide on the basis of any evidence they have.

ferf1223

randybrook wrote: »

thank you so much, luci...please be patient with me....my friend is stressing out and we need to know for sure...are you SURE this is so? She was visiting for a few days at a time and then going home....she did this 4 times in the last few months and she thinks the immigration guys in New York told her that she had used up her visits....maybe they meant she was close to using up her 90 days....how sure are you that she can apply again online and receive a new ESTA 90 day permit? Thank you again. Big kiss.

Agree with the others - ESTA is good for 2 years so she doesn't need to apply for a new ESTA.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#TA5

You can only use the Visa Waiver Programme via ESTA for entering the US for 90 days or less at a time

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#WP1

Whether something she is doing is making the authorities question whether she is eligible for using the Visa Waiver Programme or not is not a question that really can be answered here.

Are you sure she's entering under the Visa Waiver Programme? You reference 'her country'...is that not the UK?

1elimite

hi all,
there are 13 of us going to florida in june, when applying for an esta for all can i make a one off payment for all or have i to apply, and enter my card details 13 times.
my other question is,has anyone paid with a visa debit card,will this be accepted without charges?
many thanks.

dzug1

Depends on the visa debit card - but nearly all make some sort of charge for overseas transactions

I suspect, but am not certain, you'll have to pay for each ESTA individually. Which could sound alarm bells with your card issuer if their anti fraud software is over sensitive and gets suspicious of multiple overseas transactions.

anokhi

I followed the ESTA link given on this site to avoid the well documented scams but I was charged 33pounds! Not only that I've been told my passport number isn't correct when I definitely submitted the correct one!! How have people managed to apply for $14? Very confused - and stressed as I need to sort this out quickly. When I queried the cost I was told that the company charges a fee of 20pound + VAT. Huh?! I thought this link was supposed to be the official one?? Please help!!

ferf1223

which link did you follow?

People have posted 3rd party links in other ESTA threads (as warnings of where not to go)...sounds like you may have clicked one of those instead of the official link.

This is the official site

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

toon4thetitle

I applied for an ESTA in April 2010 for myself and my girlfriend (travelling to the US in June 2010), and because my passport had to be renewed in January 2011 I applied for another ESTA under the new passport number in March 2011.

My girlfriend's passport did not need renewing, and therefore I understand her ESTA was due to expire in April 2012. I have renewed her ESTA too, without realising the old one hadn't expired and wasn't due to expire before we travel to the US again in July 2011.

Will this prevent entry? Or is this simply a case of me having renewed her ESTA and paying the fee without actually needing to?

luci

A new ESTA supersedes any previous ones so you have paid for your girlfriend's one unnecessarily.

toon4thetitle

Cheers for that, what a moron I am...should perhaps have checked the guidance first!

saz_k

Hey, i haven´t read all the thread to know if this has been asked and answered. I know you can re-enter the US upto 2 years after being granted the ESTA, i have applied for a transit flight i took in Feb this year, but now am coming back to the US to New York in a couple of days and do not know what to do?

I know i have an ESTA that is valid, but how do i re-inform them when and where I am coming back into the country or is it sufficient to just fill in an entrance form when going through Costa Rica Migration? Do i need to re-inform at all? How do i go about doing it? Do i need anything else before i go to New York for my visit?

Heeelp, its all so confusing for me especially with rubbish internet cafes.