Visa for holiday in USA?

[TW]Fox;20109834 said:
Really? I applied for my ESTA last year when I went to LA. I'm flying to New York next week and hadn't though I might need to provide further info again - I thought it was valid for 2 years?
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The ESTA is vaild for 2 years as long as your passport has 2+ years on it. My passport only had 14 months so that limited the time my ESTA was valid for.
 
ic1male said:
So what happens if you haven't filled in the ESTA. I've never heard of this until now. Do you just have to cough up $ when you go through immigration?

Still, it's useful to have to gain "authorization". I spent some time in a Utah nick last time I was there and have been wondering if I'll be allowed back in to the country or not. The ESTA should give me a clue. :D

Here's more info about ESTA -
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa
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they stop you getting on the flight that lands in the us if you don't have it!
i was flying to montreal via new york last year and got stopped in paris when they scanned the passport, got huckled into a wee room where there was a grubby old computer and made to fill out the form and pay for it online... we weren't informed we needed it before we went as out flight didn't end in the us, however, off to us next month and it mentions the need for it on our confirmations this time - checked if ours is still valid and it sees to last for 2 years as fox says
 
ic1male said:
What's "API" information?
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Advanced passenger information, the airline needs the first night address.

I have never updated ESTA and it is valid for two years, just fill in the information with the airline.

The form on the plane is required but its one for each surname / address and its for customs not immigration.
 
[TW]Fox;20109933 said:
I'm aware of that, but Rotty seems to think they require API each time you travel?
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Yes airlines need the advance passenger info to send to the USA to get approval to depart. Airlines ask for passport numbers and first night addresses.

This allows the USA to prescreen the flights before they arrive.

Virgin Atlantic have a section on their site for this, in the my booking part.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/faq/advancedpassengerinformation.jsp
 
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POB said:
Yes airlines need the advance passenger info to send to the USA to get approval to depart. Airlines ask for passport numbers and first night addresses.

This allows the USA to prescreen the flights before they arrive.

Virgin Atlantic have a section on their site for this, in the my booking part.
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This. I have done the ESTA online and Virgin Atlantic requires you to fill out the API before you checkin to the flight.

at least 72 hours before flight for both from memory.
 
[TW]Fox;20109933 said:
I'm aware of that, but Rotty seems to think they require API each time you travel?
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you can change the esta info by going to the esta site and using your passport number or whatever to look up your old ESTA application aslong as its still valid you can change the travel dates etc
 
Amp34 said:
Advanced Passenger Information (passport details etc.)

I'm pretty certain I needed to fill out the ESTA in 2008, however it may have been voluntary then.
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It changed sometime between 2008 and 2009. In the summer of 2008 I just filled out the green form on the plane, whereas in the summer of 2009 I had to fill out the form online via ESTA.
 
[TW]Fox;20109834 said:
Really? I applied for my ESTA last year when I went to LA. I'm flying to New York next week and hadn't though I might need to provide further info again - I thought it was valid for 2 years?
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ESTA for 2 years but should be updated every trip with your address where staying, this can be done online at no cost

API needs to be done every time

My info is up to date, eeb twice in last 10 weeks
 
Rotty said:
ESTA for 2 years but needs to be updated every trip with your address where staying

API needs to be done every time
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correct

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html
Update or Check the Status of a Previously Submitted Authorization to Travel to the United States


Select this option if:

You previously submitted an application for an electronic travel authorization and you want to perform one of the following:
Determine the status of your travel authorization application.
Update your travel authorization application.
You saved your application information and want to return to it to pay the fee.
 
Found this which as you all say requires ESTA & API:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/usawaiver/public/en_gb

Visitors travelling to the US and Puerto Rico must have:

a valid passport

and

have either a valid visa or an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to allow you to travel under the Visa Waiver Programme or a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

and

supply us with Advance Passenger Information (API) at least 72 hours before travel.
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To be clear, you need:

1) ESTA, you pay like $30 for 2 years.
2) API: Give the airline your passport info and first night hotel
3) On the flight you must fill out a visa waiver or customs form, i-94 or some. You will be given it on the flight and just have to declare a few things, like your not a terrorist, etc.

All easy and painless.
 
The ESTA is cheaper than that unless you are taking of 2 people, you no longer fill out visa waiver on the plane



OK this is what you need

ESTA - done online valid for 2 years, you update for free each visit

API - often on airline website - 72hrs before - some US airlines less fussy than EU carriers

Customs form, one per family - complete this on plane
 
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