I94-w paper form being phased out

News grabbed from another forum but thought I'd post it up here.

It has been announced that the green I-94 waiver paper forms are being phased out in favour of the ETSA system.

Mods feel free to move to more appropriate forum if necessary.

(edited url)

good news !

[Neil]

About time, I hate filling them in, although they have been saying this for ages, I just hope this time it actually happens.

And this is the perfect forum for this thread, so no moving needed!.

Neil

As Neil says, about time!

Wonder what else will be brought in instead though - bound to be something else dreamed up!

Good news. The PR says a rolling programme of change at airports is being planned, so it'd be good to see updates here from V-Flyers who experience no paper I94Ws at specific airports! I'm guessing the customs form remains though ...

Excellent. Somehow I have always ended up as I-94W clerk on our US trips so will be happy to see these go, particularly as it always seems to take at least two goes for me to get them right.

I'm guessing the customs form remains though ...

At least that's just one per family...

Pjh,

it took me four goes to get mine right this trip....

M

Even US citizens have to fill in the customs form, so that will almost certainly stay. I have got better at the I-94W - now I get it right first time mostly - I used to mix and match my date of birth and the current date ...

Crispin

This is great news (just hope that it happens though). I always ask for at least one extra I-94W form at check-in in case I mess one up, as the last thing you want it to be sent to the back of an immigration line to fill in another.

The Customs form will remain for sure - as others have said, even US Citizens have to complete this.

I guess we'll all have to start ensuring our ESTA information is up to date for the address of your first night in the USA soon.

On a sideline, does anyone know how they decide how many fingerprints to take from you at US Immigration? At MCO on the last 3 visits, I've had all 10 prints taken once, just 2 index fingers the next & then just the 4 fingers of the right hand on the most recent trip. Over at JFK late last year it was just 2 index fingers. I thought they were moving to a system where they take all 10 prints?

James

On a sideline, does anyone know how they decide how many fingerprints to take from you at US Immigration? At MCO on the last 3 visits, I've had all 10 prints taken once, just 2 index fingers the next & then just the 4 fingers of the right hand on the most recent trip. Over at JFK late last year it was just 2 index fingers. I thought they were moving to a system where they take all 10 prints?

James

It does seam to vary ! Like you I started out with having all 10 taken then just the right hand then just thumbs. Maybe the more often yo go the less they need?

The 2 index fingers is the old system, the 10 finger system is being phased in across the international airports. It seems like the 10 finger system wants all 10 the first time you use it, but after that it only uses (for me) the right hand.

As an aside, I hate the fact that they ask you to put your hand there, and then do something else on the computer so you end you with your hand on the reader looking stupid for a long time!

Crispin

[Darren Wheeler]

I think they still use the old, 2-finger system if the super-duper one crashes.

I think the number of fingerprints must be discretionary, to some degree. Himself and I came through MCO about a month ago - I had all mine taken, he only had one hand done!

"I guess we'll all have to start ensuring our ESTA information is up to date for the address of your first night in the USA soon."

I completed an ESTA online sometime ago, since then I have changed hotels for our first night stay in SFO. Will this be a problem.

Anna

Classy

Its not compulsory to update your ESTA but it is recommended. As longf as it is done on your APIS entry it will be fine.

How long ago did your do your ESTA as they only last 2 years

On a sideline, does anyone know how they decide how many fingerprints to take from you at US Immigration? At MCO on the last 3 visits, I've had all 10 prints taken once, just 2 index fingers the next & then just the 4 fingers of the right hand on the most recent trip. Over at JFK late last year it was just 2 index fingers. I thought they were moving to a system where they take all 10 prints?

James

We had this explained to us by a super friendly officer at SFO recently.

I popped my 4 fingers on and it was accepted and I moved on to the photo.

My wife had to do all 10 fingers/thumbs.

It was explained that if the machine recognises the first 4 fingers then it just moves you onto the next stage, if it doesn't recognise them then you have to do the full 10 fingers.

I seem to be consistent and always keep my fingers straight, in the same position and apply the correct pressure. My wife just can't get it right and rather than keeping all 4 fingers together usually has one splaying off or doesn't lay her fingers down flat enough or gets the pressure wrong etc. Bless her, she can't even get herself through Iris much to my constant frustration but yet she's smart enough to be a solicitor :0

Flying into IAD recently, I was told that the I-94 was being phased out by July.

[Neil]

According to a post over on the Dibb, they are quoting the following from the VS website (although I couldn't find it myself):

GREEN VISA WAIVER FORMS

The US Customs and Border Protection agency have advised that there will soon no longer be a requirement for passengers travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme to complete a green immigration form (I-94Ws). This will take effect on an airport by airport basis from 8 June 2010 onwards.

As per the schedule below the green Visa Waiver Form (I-94W) will no longer be necessary for flights departing on and after:

8 June – Los Angeles and Las Vegas
15 June – Chicago and San Francisco
22 June – Miami and Orlando
29 June – Washington, Boston, New York (JFK and Newark)

I completed an ESTA online sometime ago, since then I have changed hotels for our first night stay in SFO. Will this be a problem.

It's easy to do. We've done it a couple of times since we originally registered.

As per the schedule below the green Visa Waiver Form (I-94W) will no longer be necessary for flights departing on and after:
15 June – Chicago and San Francisco

Cue Monty Burns....excellent....

[honey lamb]

According to a post over on the Dibb, they are quoting the following from the VS website (although I couldn't find it myself):

GREEN VISA WAIVER FORMS

The US Customs and Border Protection agency have advised that there will soon no longer be a requirement for passengers travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme to complete a green immigration form (I-94Ws). This will take effect on an airport by airport basis from 8 June 2010 onwards.

As per the schedule below the green Visa Waiver Form (I-94W) will no longer be necessary for flights departing on and after:

8 June – Los Angeles and Las Vegas
15 June – Chicago and San Francisco
22 June – Miami and Orlando
29 June – Washington, Boston, New York (JFK and Newark)

Oh good! I won't have to do it

According to a post over on the Dibb, they are quoting the following from the VS website (although I couldn't find it myself):

GREEN VISA WAIVER FORMS

The US Customs and Border Protection agency have advised that there will soon no longer be a requirement for passengers travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme to complete a green immigration form (I-94Ws). This will take effect on an airport by airport basis from 8 June 2010 onwards.

As per the schedule below the green Visa Waiver Form (I-94W) will no longer be necessary for flights departing on and after:

8 June – Los Angeles and Las Vegas
15 June – Chicago and San Francisco
22 June – Miami and Orlando
29 June – Washington, Boston, New York (JFK and Newark)

Woo hoo No filling one out for me then I guess (or should I say hope) VS011 on july 1st, I always end up needing 3 or 4 goes at filling it out!

ESTA up to date though and printer out

Mike

Well at least I shan't be needing to fill out a Green Visa Waiver form as my flight to SFO is on the 19th June!

Tonty - I applied for my ESTA form last September. How many times can you keep changing the information within the 2 years? What happens if you fly to the States 2 or 3 times a year, do you have to keep informing via ESTA of the different 1st night stays whichever state you are going to? Is the ESTA valid for trip only?( I think I'm having another 'senior' moment) I am going to be renewing my passport in any event this Sept so that I have at least 6 month validity before my trip to SYD in Nov.

Anna

[honey lamb]

Well at least I shan't be needing to fill out a Green Visa Waiver form as my flight to SFO is on the 19th June!

Tonty - I applied for my ESTA form last September. How many times can you keep changing the information within the 2 years? What happens if you fly to the States 2 or 3 times a year, do you have to keep informing via ESTA of the different 1st night stays whichever state you are going to? Is the ESTA valid for trip only?( I think I'm having another 'senior' moment) I am going to be renewing my passport in any event this Sept so that I have at least 6 month validity before my trip to SYD in Nov.

Anna

You can change the information on your ESTA as often as you need to. It is valid for the 2 years or when your passport is renewed whichever is the soonest. In other words you will have to get a new ESTA with a new passport.

There should be no problem with that. Some of us have applied for a second ESTA, either having lost the original number (not that it is needed in the first place) or more recently when there was a suggestion that there would be a charge for new applications.

DO we need to take a copy with us now that the green form is gone?

Thanks honey lamb,

I wonder if checks are ever made to see if people are actually staying the first night in their designated hotels?

Anna