You must apply for an ESTA online to enter the USA after 12 Jan 2009

ferf1223

and if you're at a London airport (not sure about others) early enough before your departure, sign up for the IRIS programme. I'm amazed at how few people use it - we've never had anyone waiting in front of us - skip the queue on the way back into the UK. It saves me a load of time as I'm on a US passport, but even my UK passport holding husband finds it's lots quicker than even going through the EU queues.

Of course it does nothing to make our bags come out quicker.

luci

We registered for IRIS before going to Vegas in May, but on the way back we cleared immigration at T5 LHR and there were no queues so we didn't get the chance to use it.

duchy

Rather than print out the ESTA I just wrote the reference number on the back page of each passport (next of kin page) so I have it handy if there is a query or when I need to update .......without yet another bit of paper.

lindsey_toffee_girl

ferf1223 wrote: »

I did this for my husband recently (I thought you had to do it each time you went to the US) - you go to the ESTA site, fill in the info on the right side, click the Update or Check Status button and you can fill in all the new trip info.

thanks I am going to give this a try now x

lindsey_toffee_girl

thanks just done this so I have now put new york and then I will need to put vegas next time! Mine should be fine as I didnt fill in where we where going just left the optional boxes blank!

ferf1223

dinkydog wrote: »

That option will soon disappear.

The optional boxes will disappear? Or the option not to fill in the optional boxes will disappear?

I feel a bit thick here as I hadn't even realised that the flight and hotel info was optional...I really thought you had to go in each time and update for your next trip.

And on the $10 thing, I've tried reading the info out there but am confused as to whether it's a fee for an ESTA registration, or a fee for each trip into the US.

lindsey_toffee_girl

here is another question that I was thinking, when updating the info say if I just updated the national number, which obviouisly hasnt changed will this refresh the whole page of info, therfore making the travel details blank? Or do I have to fill the proper boxes in? TIA

plymouth1970

Hi,

I am due to fly to the usa in 4 weeks for a work assignment - I was arrested for an assault (abh) last year but was not convicted - am i too late to apply for a visa , my work applied for the ESTA and it was approved (the no box was ticked as there wasnt an intent to do serious bodliy harm), my concern is that my prints were taken , is it possible that i will be refused authority to board or will I be refused at POI?

I am so worried as i could lose my job through the fact that I was attacked last year.

dzug1

plymouth1970 wrote: »

Hi,

I am due to fly to the usa in 4 weeks for a work assignment - I was arrested for an assault (abh) last year but was not convicted - am i too late to apply for a visa , my work applied for the ESTA and it was approved (the no box was ticked as there wasnt an intent to do serious bodliy harm), my concern is that my prints were taken , is it possible that i will be refused authority to board or will I be refused at POI?

I am so worried as i could lose my job through the fact that I was attacked last year.

Exceedingly unlikely that you will encounter any problems. Assault is not normally a crime involving moral turpitude so ticking the box is not lying.


4 weeks is normally far too late to apply for a visa but the waiting lists are very short at the moment - only a few days.

nickiebabe35

Hi all! really hoping someone will be able to help me!!! I'm due to go to florida next may with my husband and daughter but i'm a bit concerned
We went to florida two years ago and a week before we went i was told by someone that if you have ever been arrested you will need a visa. As you can imagine i was in bits as i knew it was too close to going to get one, so consequently instead of being excited i was in tears in the toilet at gatwick etc so scared my husband would be turned away . My husband was done for drink driving 10 years ago and a fight (no conviction only arrested and caution) a few months before we went to florida last time. now i'm worried sick about what we should do as if he applies for a visa they will know he has already been without one and am worried they might refuse because of this!! but also don't want to worry for 8 months i want to be excited!!! If they didn't see anything on him last time then surely they won't this time????
thanks
nic