US travel - when do you need a new ESTA?

cinereus

Have an old ESTA that is still valid for six months more but was purchased for transfer only. You can't update this detail. I am going to the US for a few weeks in September - can I reuse this old valid ESTA or do I need to register for a new one? Passport is the same.

bigadaj

I believe this is still valid.

When you transfer in the states there is obviously no such thing as transit so you enter the us even if you are just changing planes to Canada, Mexico etc

pollypenny

An ESTA lasts for two years or less if your passport runs out within that time.

cinereus

pollypenny wrote: »

An ESTA lasts for two years or less if your passport runs out within that time.

Please could you answer the question?

bigadaj wrote: »

I believe this is still valid.

When you transfer in the states there is obviously no such thing as transit so you enter the us even if you are just changing planes to Canada, Mexico etc

I understand this and would have thought so too but I'm hoping for something a bit more concrete.

Westin

cinereus wrote: »

Please could you answer the question?



I understand this and would have thought so too but I'm hoping for something a bit more concrete.

Why not go on the official web site and check it for yourself.

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

I doubt anyone on this site works for US Homeland Security. pollypenny and bigadaj can only offer their opinion.

As you don't obtain an ESTA just for "a transfer" then I too would think your ESTA will still be valid providing it is still linked to the same passport. Just my opinion. You need to check with the correct authorities.

cinereus

Westin wrote: »

Why not go on the official web site and check it for yourself.

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

GREAT IDEA!

Funnily enough, there's absolutely zero on the site about my situation? Unless you think I missed anything?

I checked the box saying my travel to the US was only occurring due to transit to another country when I first bought the ESTA

This can't be an uncommon situation - people must have either done it or not done it before hence me asking on a forum read by thousands.

Westin wrote: »

As you don't obtain an ESTA just for "a transfer" then I too would think your ESTA will still be valid providing it is still linked to the same passport. Just my opinion. You need to check with the correct authorities.

I have no idea what you mean here. Even the most cursory knowledge of US Immigration means you'd know full well that transfers to require an ESTA.

benjus

cinereus wrote: »

GREAT IDEA!

Funnily enough, there's absolutely zero on the site about my situation? Unless you think I missed anything?

I checked the box saying my travel to the US was only occurring due to transit to another country when I first bought the ESTA

The site contains a list of situations in which you need a new ESTA (e.g. new passport, or a change in your answers to the eligibility questions). This is not one of them, so the obvious assumption is that you're OK.

The "In transit" option is an alternative to giving an address in the US. They don't actually require an address in the US (if you don't have firm plans yet they advise just putting down the city you're travelling to), and many people don't bother updating the address if they travel a second time to a different destination; this situation doesn't seem much different to that.

cinereus wrote: »

I have no idea what you mean here. Even the most cursory knowledge of US Immigration means you'd know full well that transfers to require an ESTA.

Westin's meaning was obvious to me - you applied for an ESTA, not an "ESTA for transit" (because such a thing does not exist).

Personally I think you'll be OK with the ESTA you have. But if you have any doubts and want peace of mind, there's no problem with applying for a new ESTA before the old one runs out - it will simply cancel the old one - link

pollypenny

cinereus wrote: »

Please could you answer the question?



I understand this and would have thought so too but I'm hoping for something a bit more concrete.

You're unlikely to receive help when you write in such a tone!

An ESTA lasts two years, unless your passport runs out in that time.

jonesMUFCforever

benjus wrote: »

The site contains a list of situations in which you need a new ESTA (e.g. new passport, or a change in your answers to the eligibility questions). This is not one of them, so the obvious assumption is that you're OK.

The "In transit" option is an alternative to giving an address in the US. They don't actually require an address in the US (if you don't have firm plans yet they advise just putting down the city you're travelling to), and many people don't bother updating the address if they travel a second time to a different destination; this situation doesn't seem much different to that.



Westin's meaning was obvious to me - you applied for an ESTA, not an "ESTA for transit" (because such a thing does not exist).

Personally I think you'll be OK with the ESTA you have. But if you have any doubts and want peace of mind, there's no problem with applying for a new ESTA before the old one runs out - it will simply cancel the old one - link

There have been threads on here saying that you cannot apply for a new ESTA if you have one inplace unless your passport is replaced.

SO OP if you 'lose' your passport; pay for a new one, then apply for a new ESTA I can 'concretly' tell you that this would work.
Otherwise your current ESTA is fine.

Westin

cinereus wrote: »

GREAT IDEA!

Funnily enough, there's absolutely zero on the site about my situation? Unless you think I missed anything?

I checked the box saying my travel to the US was only occurring due to transit to another country when I first bought the ESTA

This can't be an uncommon situation - people must have either done it or not done it before hence me asking on a forum read by thousands.



I have no idea what you mean here. Even the most cursory knowledge of US Immigration means you'd know full well that transfers to require an ESTA.

Follow the link I gave you before.

Under the tab which says "Check ESTA Status" - select "Check Individual Status".

Complete the section "I do not know the application number". Fill in the details required. Your ESTA is linked to your passport number. This will tell you the status of your ESTA, including when you applied for it (they are valid for two years).

I think benjus has answered the other point.

photome

cinereus wrote: »

Please could you answer the question?



I understand this and would have thought so too but I'm hoping for something a bit more concrete.

Wow, what an attitude.

Pollypenny answered your question and others gave you links to find out for yourself