V-Flyer

Hi guys

Sorry to bother you with this but as USA is the biggest destination for Virgin.

Is this true

On 12 January 2009, UK travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, will require an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. Travellers can register for authorisation online through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. See the Entry Requirements section for more details.

Yes, it's true.

Thanks

So prior to flying you have to register your details on this website and od they give you an answer there and then!

quote:Originally posted by 747340
Thanks

So prior to flying you have to register your details on this website and od they give you an answer there and then!


You may have to log back in. Mine wasn't instant, but it was there within 10 minutes. Keep a note of the number though. You do not get emailed it, so make sure you keep it safe, so you can update it on every visit.

Thanks buddy

This is the first i have heard of this so what happens if


You buy your ticket and you then get rejected on the ESTA application?

What happens if you do not register at all?

I am sure lots of travellers will miss this one, is it simply if you dont do it and you turn up to travel VS wont check you in?

Both my entries the other day were instant.

Currently you are still having to fill in the green visa waiver form like you have previously done. This new ESTA is to eventually replace the green waiver form, so it should in theory make immigration in the US quicker!

At the moment VS aren't even checking if you have done ESTA but I imagine eventually there will be something/somewhere you have to put your approval number in. There is a link to the ESTA site on both the VS home page and also in the manage my booking section, plus there has been a lot of coverage in the press etc, so most people should know about it.

You can do ESTA even if you don't have any trips planned, it is valid for 2 years, and once you have your travel info you can just log back in and change it.

quote:Originally posted by Neil
At the moment VS aren't even checking if you have done ESTA

We flew Feb 1st and were asked at check-in if we had done it. They didn't ask to see it, but were asking if it had been done.

I am sure it was mentioned somewhere else but can't remember at the moment.

David

quote:Originally posted by David
quote:Originally posted by Neil
At the moment VS aren't even checking if you have done ESTA

We flew Feb 1st and were asked at check-in if we had done it. They didn't ask to see it, but were asking if it had been done.

I am sure it was mentioned somewhere else but can't remember at the moment.

David


Typical VS inconsistency again then. We flew on the 20th Feb and it was never mentioned at all, we were just given the 2 usual forms to fill in.

ESTA is electronic so there is nothing for you to 'show' to anyone.

I have made a note of the code and written it on a post it note but thats just in case. Mine took seconds to come through. But is is a little bity annoying that they don't email it to you.

All an ESTA does is get you on the plane it still does not guarentee you will pass immigration control.

At some point airlines will get fined by the US authorities if they allow non ESTA approved people to board.

And yes you could buy a ticket and then be rejected hut then you have to apply for a visa at the US Embassy (and that costs)

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by David
quote:Originally posted by Neil
At the moment VS aren't even checking if you have done ESTA

We flew Feb 1st and were asked at check-in if we had done it. They didn't ask to see it, but were asking if it had been done.

I am sure it was mentioned somewhere else but can't remember at the moment.

David


Typical VS inconsistency again then. We flew on the 20th Feb and it was never mentioned at all, we were just given the 2 usual forms to fill in.


Not sure it is, the onus is on the individual not VS to do this, it is also widely publicized by the US government and by airlines. The system is similar to the Australian visa that has been in place for years, As said, there is nothing to show in any case and you currently still need to complete the forms.

Checked in at LHR UC desk an hour ago and there was no mention of ESTA but maybe thats because I have one and its in the VS system so why mention it if you have one ?

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
.............it is also widely publicized by the US government and by airlines................

Only for the forums I wouldn't have known anything about ESTA [:0]

In any case I registered 'Mrs Kered' & myself a few weeks ago no problem & our authorisation came back instantly [y]

But I honestly wouldnt have known a thing about it, only I saw it on a forum [?]

quote:Originally posted by kered
quote:Originally posted by slinky09
.............it is also widely publicized by the US government and by airlines................

Only for the forums I wouldn't have known anything about ESTA [:0]

In any case I registered 'Mrs Kered' & myself a few weeks ago no problem & our authorisation came back instantly [y]

But I honestly wouldnt have known a thing about it, only I saw it on a forum [?]

Hmmmm! It was mentioned extensively by RTE on Jan 12th, the date it was introduced (which to my mind was a bit late unless there was a moratorium on persons leaving Ireland on that date)

At T4 @ JFK this afternoon I didn't see any signe about ESTA and the Immigration officer didn't ask about mine so I assume she saw it on her screen when she scanned my passport.

Noticed however that she only asked for my right hand fingerprints (no thumbs) whereas I saw others having to do the full monty.

quote:Originally posted by tontybear

Noticed however that she only asked for my right hand fingerprints (no thumbs) whereas I saw others having to do the full monty.


The fingerprints are a bit hit or miss as to which ones they ask for - it's not just because of ESTA (I don't use ESTA as I have a US visa). In the last few weeks, it's ranged from every finger and thumb to just one hand and on one occasion, nothing!

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
ESTA is electronic so there is nothing for you to 'show' to anyone.


You get an option to print out the approval at the end of the process.

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by tontybear

Noticed however that she only asked for my right hand fingerprints (no thumbs) whereas I saw others having to do the full monty.


The fingerprints are a bit hit or miss as to which ones they ask for - it's not just because of ESTA (I don't use ESTA as I have a US visa). In the last few weeks, it's ranged from every finger and thumb to just one hand and on one occasion, nothing!


I also have a visa and have yet to be asked for any finger print ! As you say it seems very hit and miss . . . .

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by tontybear

Noticed however that she only asked for my right hand fingerprints (no thumbs) whereas I saw others having to do the full monty.


The fingerprints are a bit hit or miss as to which ones they ask for - it's not just because of ESTA (I don't use ESTA as I have a US visa). In the last few weeks, it's ranged from every finger and thumb to just one hand and on one occasion, nothing!


I also have a visa and have yet to be asked for any finger print ! As you say it seems very hit and miss . . . .

I've printed my ESTA approval out as I've had an instance where I've needed to show proof of having an Australian ETA as the airline (Austrian Airlines, when checking in at KUL for a flight to SYD) couldn't see I'd got approval electronically.

Regards

Both of ours were approved instantly, I printed them out at A6 and have stapled them into our passports next to the photo page - job done! [y]

Just a thought, if you have got your ESTA approval do you still have to provide your API to the carrier?

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
Just a thought, if you have got your ESTA approval do you still have to provide your API to the carrier?



Yes - don't know if you will still have to after the green form eventually goes, but at the moment, yes.

David

Did ours yesterday and were given instant approval.

Links were on QF homepage, 'Travelling to USA', and also when completing the API.

IMHO the ESTA site doensn't look very official at all.

It did say there was no need to print and carry a copy of it.

Mine were instant,printed the approval out,and just added them to my travel documents,no problems.

I've seen the post for this on several forums,and if you book via a travel agent,they should tell you,This is one thing we can't blame on Virgin!