ESTA eligibility question

isplumm

Hi

At the June this year, we are doing the following:

1. Flying LHR -> Seattle.
2. Car Seattle -> Vancouver.
3. Flying Vancouver -> LHR

Slightly worried about whether we qualify for ESTA as have no flight out of USA.

Am I worrying about nothing?

Thanks Mark

nickcc

Have a look on the ESTA website, I can't see anywhere where it requests your flight details so shouldn't be a problem flying home from Canada.

richardw

Don't see a problem.
Do you need an ETA for Canada if arriving by car?

isplumm

richardw wrote: »

Don't see a problem.
Do you need an ETA for Canada if arriving by car?

Hi

I looked at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp - as we are driving in, then it appears we don't it .... but to be honest I might just get it - it is only $7 CAD.

Actually went slightly further - seen this:

British citizens
You need an eTA to visit or transit through Canada by air.

If you travel by land or sea, you do not need an eTA. However, you must always travel with acceptable travel documents and identification.

So no need for Canadian ETA.

Mark

Duckyduck

the flight from Canada is (indirectly) proof of onward travel out of the US, so the ESTA is fine.

Have you checked into the one way car hire? That might cause an issue as not only is it one way but you're dropping off in another country. There is probably a huge premium for it. Might be worth checking a flight or bus/train/ ferry over the border.

nickcc

Just another piece of advice if you've not been before. Don't get caught out like we did and use US dollars in Canada, which are accepted everywhere, as the exchange rate is considerably different.

isplumm

Duckyduck wrote: »

the flight from Canada is (indirectly) proof of onward travel out of the US, so the ESTA is fine.

Have you checked into the one way car hire? That might cause an issue as not only is it one way but you're dropping off in another country. There is probably a huge premium for it. Might be worth checking a flight or bus/train/ ferry over the border.

Hi

I haven't actually applied for ESTA yet - for some reason I thought we might not be eligible ....

As to getting from Seattle to Vancouver - well we are using a taxi firm - they are taking us door to door - it worked out cheaper than flying! So no issues around one way car hire.

Thanks Mark

benjus

isplumm wrote: »

Hi

I haven't actually applied for ESTA yet - for some reason I thought we might not be eligible ....

As to getting from Seattle to Vancouver - well we are using a taxi firm - they are taking us door to door - it worked out cheaper than flying! So no issues around one way car hire.

Thanks Mark

Whether or not you are eligible for an ESTA depends only on you - your nationality, whether you have a criminal record, etc. IIRC giving the details of the trip you're making is optional; also, the ESTA is valid for 2 years and many people don't bother updating it when they make another trip.

Anyway, the only information they ask for relating to your trip is an address and point of contact in the US so you'll be fine.

Blue264

isplumm wrote: »

As to getting from Seattle to Vancouver - well we are using a taxi firm - they are taking us door to door - it worked out cheaper than flying! So no issues around one way car hire.

Purely out of interest, can I please ask how much that taxi will cost you?

scumsthorne

benjus wrote: »

Whether or not you are eligible for an ESTA depends only on .....whether you have a criminal record,

Only arrests and/or convictions for certain criminal acts make you ineligible for an ESTA. Even admitting to those acts (even though you were never arrested) is enough to make you inadmissible.
Recent case of a Canada being refused admission as he stated, following a direct question from a CBP officer, that he smoked pot.

However, Trump has stated :-

"Orders will be signed next Monday strengthening America’s borders which could include travel restrictions on Europeans coming to the US as well as “extreme vetting” of those entering from parts of the world known for Islamist terrorism"

benjus

scumsthorne wrote: »

Only arrests and/or convictions for certain criminal acts make you ineligible for an ESTA. Even admitting to those acts (even though you were never arrested) is enough to make you inadmissible.
Recent case of a Canada being refused admission as he stated, following a direct question from a CBP officer, that he smoked pot.

However, Trump has stated :-

"Orders will be signed next Monday strengthening America’s borders which could include travel restrictions on Europeans coming to the US as well as “extreme vetting” of those entering from parts of the world known for Islamist terrorism"

I was trying to make the point that ESTA eligibility depends on the person and their history, not the specific travel plans. I think the topic of criminal activity and ESTA has been done to death on here so let's not open that can of worms again.