USA holiday ESTA advice needed

parking_question_chap

Evening all

I am looking to go to the USA with a friend in September. Does anybody know how the ESTA (Visa waiver program) process works? I gather it costs $14

Does it take long to authorise? is a document posted out to you?

Thanks

meer53

You do it online via the US Department of Homeland Security website. There are sites that will charge you more, make sure you're on the correct site. It's an online Visa, no need to print it, it's linked to your passport.

SW17

This is the official website, don't apply using anything else.

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

And this is the MSE guide, have a read first

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa

Although the ESTA confirmation once it is granted says you don't need to print it and take it, I would print a copy of the confirmation page just in case. You're unlikely to need it, but you never know (I've been glad of mine a couple of times).

chib

I travel to Newark frequently and have never printed a thing, even use my phone as my boarding pass.

When they scan your passport at US Customs they confirm you have sorted the ESTA then - don't go playing with your phone while you wait - they'll properly shout at you. (There are signs everywhere, to be fair)

parking_question_chap

Thanks all

Yes I have heard USA customs are pretty intimidating.

bluenoseam

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Thanks all

Yes I have heard USA customs are pretty intimidating.

Only if you let them - guy I had in June was one of those ones you know will be able to screw you up if he had to but was actually pretty helpful!

I did print mine out more for safety than anything else, especially with the US customs having a reputation I figured it would be wise to be prepared.

duchy

SW17 wrote: »

Although the ESTA confirmation once it is granted says you don't need to print it and take it, I would print a copy of the confirmation page just in case. You're unlikely to need it, but you never know (I've been glad of mine a couple of times).

In twenty odd trips to the US I've never needed to produce proof of my ESTA so I'm quite interested to know the circumstances that you were "glad" to have your printout ?

photome

duchy wrote: »

In twenty odd trips to the US I've never needed to produce proof of my ESTA so I'm quite interested to know the circumstances that you were "glad" to have your printout ?

Me to, also having been a number of times and never had need of a print out given that ESTA stands for Electronic System For Travel Authorizatio

John259

US customs are usually ok, provided you're not carrying any prohibited items such as fresh food.

It's US immigration who can be awkward. Sometimes extremely awkward. But occasionally perfectly ok. They're robots, so it helps enormously to have all your paperwork (physical and electronic) in perfect order.

getmore4less

Not all forms a of travel into the USA are geared up to the ESTA so it can be handy to have the printout sometimes.

If just flying in from Europe on UK passport not been a problem yet.

meer53

I've never been asked for a copy of mine either, been loads of times.