ESTA Application Help

karlo-vacko

Hello, I am wondering if anyone can help with me with my application. I have unsuccessfully been able to get through to anyone on the phone at the US embassy this past week :mad:

I have booked return flights from the UK to LA, and then from LA (I have a four hour wait) I am flying to Mexico where I will stay for a week. I then return to LA, and I will be in the states for 3 weeks, before flying back to the UK.

When applying for the ESTA, I do not know how to answer the question 'Is your travel to the US occurring in transit to another country', as initially it is... however I will be returning back to the US in a week. I want to apply for it correctly. I'm not sure if I should select no and put down the information of the hotel that I will staying at when I return to LA. Or should I select yes, and will it be valid when I return?

I'm really confused about it all, and want to make sure I apply properly so I don't have any issues at the airport or anything. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Sarah

jonesMUFCforever

IMO you will be in transit to another country.
If asked (they will want to know) where you are staying for your first night in USA - what will you put down if you are not in the country?

karlo-vacko

Yeah, that makes sense, thank you. I've not been to the US before and haven't had to apply for a ESTA (so not 100% sure how it works)!
Thank you!

travellerboy

In reality it is irrelevant, as the ESTA will be valid for 2 years with potential for multiple trips to the US and there is no requirement to update your destination/place of stay for each occasion.

Just complete the form as if you are going on holiday to LA- make it simple.

headpin

travellerboy wrote: »

In reality it is irrelevant, as the ESTA will be valid for 2 years with potential for multiple trips to the US and there is no requirement to update your destination/place of stay for each occasion.

Just complete the form as if you are going on holiday to LA- make it simple.

So you are suggesting that they make up where they're staying in the US? They just need to say they are in transit as that, as far as I can see, is the reason for their first arrival in the US. Should they lie and say they are spending time in the US and when they arrive they slip up when questioned by the border official it could potentially cause entry issues then and again in the future.

There is no problem filling in the information correctly so why suggest otherwise?

danielthomark

Its not rocket science.
He's transiting.
Lying about it may cause issues on arrival, so why lie?

travellerboy

headpin wrote: »

So you are suggesting that they make up where they're staying in the US? They just need to say they are in transit as that, as far as I can see, is the reason for their first arrival in the US. Should they lie and say they are spending time in the US and when they arrive they slip up when questioned by the border official it could potentially cause entry issues then and again in the future.

There is no problem filling in the information correctly so why suggest otherwise?

Never suggested lying, you are NOT required to have specific travel plans when applying for an ESTA - in the box just enter UNKNOWN.
That is perfectly acceptable, for those doubter just read the ESTA instructions. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

shaun_from_Africa

travellerboy wrote: »

Never suggested lying, you are NOT required to have specific travel plans when applying for an ESTA - in the box just enter UNKNOWN.[/url]

"never suggested lying" but what you did suggest was:

Just complete the form as if you are going on holiday to LA- make it simple.

and this is incorrect.
The OP is not initially entering the US to go on holiday to LA. They are entering the US for transit purposes in which case they have to state this on the ESTA application:
(from the link that you provided)

If you are in transit, please select 'yes' to the 'Is your travel to the U.S. occurring in transit to another country?' question in the Travel Information section.