US travel - when do you need a new ESTA?

cinereus

jpsartre wrote: »

The correct answer was given in the second reply and has been repeated multiple times. If you don't believe it that's your problem and no reason to pick a fight with posters that have taken the time to answer you.

Except...

Archergirl wrote: »

The answer (again) is... An ESTA is valid for 2 yrs unless you change your passport.

A statement easily shown to be incorrect with the most rudimentary of searching, so why bother to say it?

photome wrote: »

Many people have told you it's valid for 2 years, in fact it was answered in post 3

How many times do I have to spell it out? The situation is not clear cut - it is clearly ambiguous at best. When viewing the ESTA it clearly says:

If you need to change any other information on the form, you must apply for a new travel authorization.

So no, I wouldn't say this has been answered because the official advice itself is logically contradictory. Forgive me for believing the official website more than people who are unable to bother to read the actual question.

ash28 wrote: »

if there was a possibility that you would be denied entry for not changing "in transit" then it would say so

That's precisely my concern: it does say so.

Ash goes on to say this:

ash28 wrote: »

The above mentioned things are below:

[snip]

Again, going on the official page, the "above mentioned things" quoted include "your address and point of contact in the United States". As Ash states:

You have to submit the address you are using in the US (at least for the first night) as part of the API and the information you provide will be sent to US before you fly.

If you buy a "transit-only" ESTA, this information has changed and, furthermore, you are unable to submit an address in the US. To make myself abundantly clear: yes, I realise the ESTA is for entry (transit or otherwise) and that this detail ought not to be important (as I have demonstrated all along).

I also realise the ESTA is intended to be for two years unless your name/passport/gender/citizenship/eligibility changes, but since other government sources say it's an issue if your address changes, I have to take that information in good faith.

To spell it out, the official advice goes against my assumption (an assumption clearly shared by many in this thread but not defended with anything to counteract said official advice).

So, again, if someone has any evidence, personal experience or compelling reason that would enable me to ignore this official instruction and assume it is mistaken, I'd love to hear it. Until then, with respect, I'll wait for something more than merely the say-so of people (especially those who are manifestly mistaken about points of fact or seemingly unwilling to read properly).

Strangely enough, I'm not going to risk my trip on guesswork.

ash28 wrote: »

One other point, although most countries have a "sterile" area for in transit passengers (I'm sure you mean transit and not transfer), the USA doesn't. Even if you signify your ESTA is for transitting the USA you still have to go through immigration and legally enter the USA (unlike here), this is why you need an ESTA even if you are transitting.

Yes, I'm pretty sure everyone in this thread is aware of this well-known fact. I've made it pretty clear it's one of my assumptions throughout this thread.

ash28

cinereus wrote: »

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.

One other point, although most countries have a "sterile" area for in transit passengers (I'm sure you mean transit and not transfer), the USA doesn't. Even if you signify your ESTA is for transitting the USA you still have to go through immigration and legally enter the USA (unlike here), this is why you need an ESTA even if you are transitting. You could, if you wanted, while you were in transit leave the airport and go and do some sightseeing or decide you might stay a day or two. In effect there is no such thing as in transit in the USA.

As per my earlier post....you can use your existing ESTA.

ash28

cinereus wrote: »

Except...



A statement easily shown to be incorrect with the most rudimentary of searching, so why bother to say it?



How many times do I have to spell it out? The situation is not clear cut - it is clearly ambiguous at best. When viewing the ESTA it clearly says:



So no, I wouldn't say this has been answered because the official advice itself is logically contradictory. Forgive me for believing the official website more than people who are unable to bother to read the actual question.



That's precisely my concern: it does say so.

Ash goes on to say this:



Again, going on the official page, the "above mentioned things" quoted include "your address and point of contact in the United States". As Ash states:



If you buy a "transit-only" ESTA, this information has changed and, furthermore, you are unable to submit an address in the US. To make myself abundantly clear: yes, I realise the ESTA is for entry (transit or otherwise) and that this detail ought not to be important (as I have demonstrated all along).

I also realise the ESTA is intended to be for two years unless your name/passport/gender/citizenship/eligibility changes, but since other government sources say it's an issue if your address changes, I have to take that information in good faith.

To spell it out, the official advice goes against my assumption (an assumption clearly shared by many in this thread but not defended with anything to counteract said official advice).

So, again, if someone has any evidence, personal experience or compelling reason that would enable me to ignore this official instruction and assume it is mistaken, I'd love to hear it. Until then, with respect, I'll wait for something more than merely the say-so of people (especially those who are manifestly mistaken about points of fact or seemingly unwilling to read properly).

Strangely enough, I'm not going to risk my trip on guesswork.



Yes, I'm pretty sure everyone in this thread is aware of this well-known fact. I've made it pretty clear it's one of my assumptions throughout this thread.

Just apply for another ESTA, it's your money.

I travel to the US regularly and I don't bother updating my ESTA, I was there over Easter this year and was there in September last year, last year I was in Atlanta on my way to Belize, at Easter I was in Florida. If there is an address on my ESTA it will be for Atlanta and at Easter I flew to Tampa via Philadelphia. No problem. I will be going again in May next year and my ESTA will be the same as previous visits.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1197/kw/esta

You do not need to wait until your ESTA expires to re-apply. You may do so at any time before, on or after the expiration date of your existing ESTA. Should you receive the message "A valid, approved application with more than 30 days remaining has been found for this passport. Submitting this application will require payment for this application and will then cancel the existing application." you will simply continue with the application to begin your new application. Your prior ESTA will be cancelled and replaced with your new application.

photome

I never update my ESTA either

stevenhp1987

You can use your existing ESTA.

If you're really worried (you shouldn't be, an ESTA is valid for all types of travel to the US), then pay the $14 to get a new one. It's hardly worth quibbling over and you've probably "spent" more than $14 worth of your time pondering about this...

jonesMUFCforever

Let the OP apply for a new ESTA - It will be declined as their system shows a valid existing one - THEN he will have to come back here for advice as he will have a real problem.

pollypenny

This thread is becoming more and more entertaining.

Archergirl

Yes, I would so like to be one of the arsey immigration guards when he goes in.

pollypenny

I'd love to be a fly on the Wall! Or on the glass screen!

Q: What's the purpose of your visit?

A: What's it got to do with you?

Q: would you like to follow me, sir and ma'am?

Murphy_The_Cat

pollypenny wrote: »

I'd love to be a fly on the Wall! Or on the glass screen!

Q: What's the purpose of your visit?

A: What's it got to do with you?

Q: would you like to follow me, sir and ma'am?

dips oiled up rubber glove into bucket of sand

stand here and bend over, Sir.