ESTA to get into the USA

virtuallyfree

Pre 1986 a visa was required, I had to go to the US embassy. The US visa system is very rigid.
Post 1986 the visa waiver program was brought in, the US govt wanted to enhance relations, the form for the waiver was completed enroute.
Post 2007 waiver authorisation before travel was brought in, following tragic events.

photome

virtuallyfree wrote: »

Pre 1986 a visa was required, I had to go to the US embassy. The US visa system is very rigid.
Post 1986 the visa waiver program was brought in, the US govt wanted to enhance relations, the form for the waiver was completed enroute.
Post 2007 waiver authorisation before travel was brought in, following tragic events.

does that mean a visa hasnt always been required?

I thought you said one has always been required



I went to USA in 1977 and didnt need or get a Visa

virtuallyfree

photome wrote: »

does that mean a visa hasnt always been required?

I thought you said one has always been required



I went to USA in 1977 and didnt need or get a Visa

I dont know about visa history before I started travelling.
Sorry. Maybe you can find out on the internet.

duchy

Certainly you needed one in the 1970s as midlate seventies I can remember sending messengers from work to lodge them (I had a Saturday job in a travel agency)...........not sure what you mean by *always* though. I doubt the Pilgrim Fathers needed them .......

Visa waiver was a reaction to increased tourism to the US from the UK in the wake of SkyTrain. Freddie Laker really did change the way we think of holiday destinations.

The UK was the first country to have visa waiver-followed by Japan.

photome

photome wrote: »

does that mean a visa hasnt always been required?

I thought you said one has always been required



I went to USA in 1977 and didnt need or get a Visa

virtuallyfree wrote: »

I dont know about visa history before I started travelling.
Sorry. Maybe you can find out on the internet.

Originally Posted by virtuallyfree
OBefore we had do get an ESTa we had to get a Visa. We have always had to get a visa, the EsTa waivers us from getting a visa


Am I missing something

photome

duchy wrote: »

Certainly you needed one in the 1970s as midlate seventies I can remember sending messengers from work to lodge them (I had a Saturday job in a travel agency)...........not sure what you mean by *always* though. I doubt the Pilgrim Fathers needed them .......

Visa waiver was a reaction to increased tourism to the US from the UK in the wake of SkyTrain. Freddie Laker really did change the way we think of holiday destinations.

I didnt need one in 1977

dannny_2

photome wrote: »

I thought you said one has always been required

The person is very confused (their attempt at sarcasm when proven wrong may have impaired their cognitive reasoning)

virtuallyfree wrote: »

An esta does not give you permission to enter it waives you from having a visa to enter which the USA requires. Isnt it time for confession Monsignor?? byyyeeeeeee x

The ESTA allows you to travel to the US by some air and sea carriers. The VWP allows you to enter visa free.

dansgran

Have applied for a Visa Waiver and have been accepted. That was it a receipt and a notice of acceptance. I expected to then get an official looking paper as a Visa Waiver.
However I have been told the VW will now be on my passport. As an 80 year old, travelling alone for the first time I want to make sure all my documentation is OK

ferf1223

dansgran wrote: »

Have applied for a Visa Waiver and have been accepted. That was it a receipt and a notice of acceptance. I expected to then get an official looking paper as a Visa Waiver.
However I have been told the VW will now be on my passport. As an 80 year old, travelling alone for the first time I want to make sure all my documentation is OK

It is an electronically held document so no you will not get an official looking paper of any sort...you can print out the confirmation/approval from the website if you wish to havve something for peace of mind (you can log back into the website to check the status/expiry date)...but when you check in for your flight and the agent scans your passport they will see that you have a valid ESTA...if you did not they would not check you in. In normal circumstances you would not need the printed confirmation but I know some do like to have it as reassurance all is OK.

virtuallyfree

dannny wrote: »

The person is very confused (their attempt at sarcasm when proven wrong may have impaired their cognitive reasoning)



The ESTA allows you to travel to the US by some air and sea carriers. The VWP allows you to enter visa free.

I dont know why you have taken such a personal dislike to me.
I was replying to the Op, my advice was for the Op so go away and talk to the Op on this post and not me. You are so over the top it is quite scarey.