New automated Entry Machines

I had to do four fingers at JFK a few weeks ago and found it quite difficult to get all of my fingerprints in the green rings on the screen at the same time.

It was definitely the quickest most pleasant experiance of US immigration I have had in a long time.

[mitchja]

I'm looking forward to trying this for the first time when fly to MIA over the New Year (checked and it's on the list).

I recently entered on a new ESTA and my OH was also on his first ever visit to US and we used these machines. Ok he had to give a full set of finger scans at the desk after, but that's because he took his finger off the scanner too quickly. So no, on a new ESTA you should be able to use the machines.

I recently entered on a new ESTA and my OH was also on his first ever visit to US and we used these machines. Ok he had to give a full set of finger scans at the desk after, but that's because he took his finger off the scanner too quickly. So no, on a new ESTA you should be able to use the machines.

Thanks. A few months until we try it anyhow...

They were definitely only letting you use it at ATL if you'd been in before on this ESTA (they were quite brash about asking me "when?" when I said yes before they'd let me go to the queue for the machines!), so maybe that's something they've decided to do there to help split the queues while it's a new system rather than it actually being a restriction in the system.

The whole set of machines went down completely while I was using them, too. Got to the last screen and it refused to save or print, and then when I tried to attract someone's attention for help I realised it had happened to everyone. The system was rebooted in a few minutes, but it was still frustrating to do it twice! Then the queue to get asked the questions by the CBP officer meant that the time I'd spent in total, I'm not sure wasn't actually slower than just getting in the normal queue would have been!

Whilst TR is to follow, I can confirm that at JFK at least, you could use the automated machines if you've travelled to the US before on an ESTA - it does not need to be the same ESTA as previously, nor does it need to be the same passport as previously.

Very kind lady at the airport helped out and I was able to use the automated entry machine.

Good news hopefully - fingers crossed other airports work similarly.