European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

NoodleDoodleMan

Sandtree said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

In practical terms, regardless of what it's called, the "bottom line" is much the same - you'll need one or the other to enter the country in question.

Its not always just about the bottom line though... as a previous poster here found, try failing the ESTA process and having to go for a Tourist Visa for visiting the USA and you will note there is a more than subtle difference in the process, costs and timescales between the two.

Schengen Visa's possibly are easier than US but still involve an interview, still over 10x the cost etc etc.

I've had to apply for a US visa and later an ESTA as an alternative - if you fail one or the other it's almost certainly because you have triggered a red flag condition to prohibit entry to the USA.

Didn't the unfortunate poster mentioned not complete his ESTA wrongly to produce a fail ?

NoodleDoodleMan

CKhalvashi said:

Sandtree said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

In practical terms, regardless of what it's called, the "bottom line" is much the same - you'll need one or the other to enter the country in question.

Its not always just about the bottom line though... as a previous poster here found, try failing the ESTA process and having to go for a Tourist Visa for visiting the USA and you will note there is a more than subtle difference in the process, costs and timescales between the two.

Schengen Visa's possibly are easier than US but still involve an interview, still over 10x the cost etc etc.

There is no reason for 99% to fail. The 1% that do will largely be those the EU don't want in the first place as they will likely be the security risk.

That about sums it up.

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't care to speculate about next year. The UK is about to break international law and the Withdrawal Agreement, so there is no telling what will happen now.

[Deleted User]

Doshwaster said:

I classify it as a "mild annoyance" rather than a "significant imposition" but since we voted not be in the EU its one of the prices we have to pay for our decision. A bigger issue is the 90 day limits per 180 days which will hit frequent travellers and those with holiday homes.

Actually even while the UK was a member of the EU, those extended stays in holiday homes beyond 90 days was usually unofficial and under the rader, an EU citizen exercising freedom of movement is expected to register as a tax resident with the local authorities if planning to stay in the country for more than 90 days, many brits living in spain prior to the transition period ending didnt do that, and sadly forfeited their article 50 rights as a result.

Living in Spain or other EU countires more than 90 days per year is still deemed as habitual residency, irrespective of citizenship. 

As an irish person it really shocks me how some british people percieve freedom of movement, even post brexit. 

[Deleted User]

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Sandtree said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

In practical terms, regardless of what it's called, the "bottom line" is much the same - you'll need one or the other to enter the country in question.

Its not always just about the bottom line though... as a previous poster here found, try failing the ESTA process and having to go for a Tourist Visa for visiting the USA and you will note there is a more than subtle difference in the process, costs and timescales between the two.

Schengen Visa's possibly are easier than US but still involve an interview, still over 10x the cost etc etc.

I've had to apply for a US visa and later an ESTA as an alternative - if you fail one or the other it's almost certainly because you have triggered a red flag condition to prohibit entry to the USA.

Didn't the unfortunate poster mentioned not complete his ESTA wrongly to produce a fail ?

US B1/B2 visa is better than an ESTA anyway, it lets you stay upto 6 months per visit, whereas the ESTA only allowes 3 months.

Also it lasts 10 years, so you dont have to remember to fill out ESTA forms every few years, which is also a bonus, plus with an ESTA there is no right of appeal against an entry refusal, whereas if you enter on a visa you do have a right of appeal should that situation arise. 

Sandtree

CKhalvashi said:

Sandtree said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

In practical terms, regardless of what it's called, the "bottom line" is much the same - you'll need one or the other to enter the country in question.

Its not always just about the bottom line though... as a previous poster here found, try failing the ESTA process and having to go for a Tourist Visa for visiting the USA and you will note there is a more than subtle difference in the process, costs and timescales between the two.

Schengen Visa's possibly are easier than US but still involve an interview, still over 10x the cost etc etc.

There is no reason for 99% to fail. The 1% that do will largely be those the EU don't want in the first place as they will likely be the security risk.

Who said 99% fail? Just pointing out going for a visa waiver process is notably different than going for a visa whereas NoodleDoodle said its basically the same thing.

The 1% (which is probably a high estimate) will also include those like the fore-mentioned poster who misread the question and answer "yes" to one of the questions like "are you a terrorist?".

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Didn't the unfortunate poster mentioned not complete his ESTA wrongly to produce a fail ?

Yes, they misread/missclicked the question and answered yes rather than no so admitted to having been convicted of terrorism, genocide or espionage (or one of the other killer questions, cannot remember off-hand which one it was). 

Obv an auto rejection and they couldn't find a way to tell them it was human error rather than an accurate declaration and were told to go down the visa route.

Deleted_User said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Sandtree said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

In practical terms, regardless of what it's called, the "bottom line" is much the same - you'll need one or the other to enter the country in question.

Its not always just about the bottom line though... as a previous poster here found, try failing the ESTA process and having to go for a Tourist Visa for visiting the USA and you will note there is a more than subtle difference in the process, costs and timescales between the two.

Schengen Visa's possibly are easier than US but still involve an interview, still over 10x the cost etc etc.

I've had to apply for a US visa and later an ESTA as an alternative - if you fail one or the other it's almost certainly because you have triggered a red flag condition to prohibit entry to the USA.

Didn't the unfortunate poster mentioned not complete his ESTA wrongly to produce a fail ?

US B1/B2 visa is better than an ESTA anyway, it lets you stay upto 6 months per visit, whereas the ESTA only allowes 3 months.

Also it lasts 10 years, so you dont have to remember to fill out ESTA forms every few years, which is also a bonus, plus with an ESTA there is no right of appeal against an entry refusal, whereas if you enter on a visa you do have a right of appeal should that situation arise. 

Having right of 6 months is only of benefit if for some reason you want to stay in the US for 6 months, if you are only going for 2 weeks its of no benefit. 

An ESTA is $21 whereas a B1/B2 visa is $160 plus you have to get to London for the interview which for many will be another cost. Given this is a money saving site then unless you want to stay for more than 3 months is more cost effective to stick with ESTA.

NoodleDoodleMan

"Who said 99% fail? Just pointing out going for a visa waiver process is notably different than going for a visa whereas NoodleDoodle said its basically the same thing."

Appears to me to be more or less the same administrative process.....in respect of UK nationals wanting to travel to the EU/Schengen area.

You'll need one, or the other.

What are the significant differences ?