USA ETSA Visa

mattharris692

Hi
can anyone tell me how the process of obtaining an ETSA Visa for a USA holiday works? Will I have to apply independently from
booking my holiday? Is the actual paper or physical document? 

daveyjp

Its ESTA,  official link.

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

Easy enough to do and its an electronic doc which you can print.

badger09

mattharris692 said:

Hi
can anyone tell me how the process of obtaining an ETSA Visa for a USA holiday works? Will I have to apply independently from
booking my holiday? Is the actual paper or physical document? 

It’s a very straightforward process with clear instructions, which you have to do yourself online. Be VERY careful though because there are loads of ‘helpfull’ sites which will charge you for doing something you can do yourself. The ESTA costs $21 per person. 

This is the official site. There is also an app which I used last year on IOS. Again, be careful to use the official app. I used belt & braces & had ESTAs in every possible format. Pretty sure our cruise company insisted on seeing paper copy. 

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

Give it a go & come back if you have any questions 

mattharris692

daveyjp said:

Its ESTA,  official link.

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

Easy enough to do and it’s an electronic doc which you can print.

So it’s generally something I would have to arrange with myself, not usually automatic with a holiday booking?  So I would imagine US immigration would check it on the system but perhaps good idea to have a print out in case of any problems? 

El_Torro

mattharris692 said:

daveyjp said:

Its ESTA,  official link.

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

Easy enough to do and it’s an electronic doc which you can print.

So it’s generally something I would have to arrange with myself, not usually automatic with a holiday booking?  So I would imagine US immigration would check it on the system but perhaps good idea to have a print out in case of any problems? 

Regardless of what kind of holiday you're going on you have to do it yourself, yes. If you're going on an organised tour the tour company might be willing to facilitate. They'll probably charge you an admin fee though, and you'll need to supply them with all the relevant information anyway, so I don't see much point. Just follow the link that others have already provided. Shouldn't take long to apply and pay for your ESTA.

I've been to the US on holiday various times over the years and have never taken a print out of the ESTA, I've never been asked for it. Worth having an electronic copy on your phone though. If you're going on a cruise / tour the provider might want to see a copy of your ESTA.

michele-p

It really is easy to do, you just need your passport on hand. You get email confirmation it's been submitted, and usually the Esta is through very quickly. Just answer the questions, if you need a US address for where you'll be staying, I used the hotel we will be staying for night 1 of our road trip.

hugheskevi

In case it helps understand the process on departure, the ESTA is linked electronically to your passport. You receive email confirmation that your ESTA is approved shortly after submitting your application, and you can save this, and even print it out if you like (sensible to save to both phone and cloud, I don't bother printing).

When traveling, you simply hand your passport over as usual and that should be it. The customs agent will see the ESTA electronically linked to your passport when they use the electronic reader, and if everything is fine then you just carry on as usual - there would be no mention of ESTA at all.

Do ensure you link the ESTA to the passport you plan to travel with if you have more than one passport.

They do ask for a fair amount of information in the application, so be sure to set aside a decent chunk of time to go through the application carefully and don't leave it to the last minute.

400ixl

You really want to do it at least a few months before travel. This is because if it is denied you need the time to apply for a visa through the normal channels which takes time.

Whilst it is electronic and you won't need it printed for the immigration side, some airlines still insist on seeing it before departure at checkin. There is not need but some staff don't understand that.

If your passport is due to expire before travel you will need to do the ESTA visa waiver against the new passport.

ESTA's last for 2 years or until the linked passport expires. You don't need to update the accomodation details if you use it more than once in that 2 year period.

Given the questions they ask and some questions if answered incorrectly mean denial I would not be letting any 3rd party complete it on your behalf. Sit down yourself when you are not in a rush. You can do a group entry, which essentially is still individual completions, but payment is done in one go.

joebob

How early can you apply ? we go in November this year could we apply now ?

la531983

joebob said:

How early can you apply ? we go in November this year could we apply now ?

Yes, but you would be wasting validity on it if you are planning to go again next year or the year afterwards.   But still do it a couple of months before just in case you mess up and/or you have to apply for an actual visa.

eskbanker

mattharris692 said:

USA ETSA Visa

Just to be clear, an ESTA is an alternative to a visa rather than a type of visa as such, and so is issued under the Visa Waiver Program.