Travel to USA - the ESTA form

[Dahoum]

If any of you are planning travel to the USA you will need to fill in an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) form.
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From midnight tonight there will be a charge for each person entering the USA using this form. (I think it’s $14)
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You have to apply online and do not have to have any current travel plans. You complete the form (only required fields) and get a reference number which is then valid for two years (or until your passport expires whichever is soonest).
The official ESTA site (beware the fakes/moneymakers) is here:* https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Your money saving tip of the day!
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[Sgt Bilco]

Good spot, I didn't realise they were now charging for this.

 

[dxtans]

done my esta, yesterday for myself and mrs dxtans.

Takes about 10 minutes each, besure to have your passport handy for the details required.

dxtans

 

[Sgt Bilco]

done my esta, yesterday for myself and mrs dxtans.

Takes about 10 minutes each, besure to have your passport handy for the details required.

dxtans

Would be interested to know if they charged you?

 

[AWR Tours]

Yes they charge $14 PER application. You now must also have a passport that contains a digital photograph

 

[polecat]

Yes they charge $14 PER application. You now must also have a passport that contains a digital photograph

What it actually says is 'To enter under the VWP (Visa Waiver Programme)your passport must contain a machine-readable zone (MRZ).

At the foot of the photo page. The MRZ contains 2 lines of text as letters, numbers and chevrons (>>>). If the area is blank the passport is not machine-readable and you need to apply for a visa.

The new style passports containing a biometric chip and an MRZ are acceptable for the VWP.

 

[himalayas]

The ESTA logo is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I think its really great and its very easy to fill. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information about ESTA.

 

[Rushy]

ESTA BEWARE

Just be careful if you try to google the ESTA site because you may get inadvertently diverted into one of many privately owned 3RD party sites Ken alludes to onto which you will enter your ESTA details .

These sites act as a window into ESTA and your details and ESTA application is processed BUT you get an additional charge on your card of around $30 as an 'arrangement fee' from the 3rd party site. Seems to be legitimate and legal cos its all in the small print , they 'arranged/processed' the application for you.

I nearly fell for this myself and an elderly relative failed to spot it too and got the extra charge.

esta site

 

[sven]

I'm flying to LA with British Airways and they have a link to the official ESTA site from their "Manage my Booking" page - I assume other airlines do the same

 

[Colban]

My previous ESTA has expired so i need to reapply.
How many days/weeks in advance do you need to apply so you can be sure of your application being on the Yanks system?.
I intend getting my 2 years worth of the ESTA but dont want to fill it in 2 days before and find the system hasn't been updated.

 

[Mav]

They say 2 weeks to be sure...

 

[Tengiz99]

They say two weeks, but if you are a complete numptie and enter your passport number incorrectly when registering, then find that out at check in when you are not approved for travel on your actual passport number, a frantic dash to the nearest internet terminal in the airport and another $14 dollars later also works.