American Visa

[Timbo]

Sorry if this is obvious but I don't understand it! Never having been to America before I'm not sure what I need here.

Coming back from Peru after 5 weeks travelling at the end of August we have a change in Miami. What do I need to do and when? In Miami for only 4 hours but wouldn't mind getting out of the airport for a bit.

 

[JJ McClure]

I think that rather than the visa waver form that you used to fill in on the plane you now have to apply for an ESTA. It's basically the same thing but done in advance online.

 

[Dr Q]

You won't need a visa for transit, but you would if you were to leave the airport.
You need an ESTA form, which is basically a security form more then anything, which you have to get in advance and is a 5 minute online application with usually instant response. We have a Visa waiver agreement with the states otherwise.

 

[Acker79]

Do ESTA now to beat charges: Get 2 years free; US visa to charge...

Anyone planning to go in the next two years should get one now. They're curetly free and are valid for two years, but they are going to start charging, apparently.

 

[The Spanish]

there are some scam websites out there that will try to charge you. you want the .gov one which should show up near the top on a search sorry cant remember the site.

piece of piss dont worry about it takes 2 mins.

 

[clippedgull]

Official site:

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c2EE0FF6B-5283-0663-7DE2-329BD70EE95D_kFB56D1C2-1251-6931-8866-9C6EBC40FD10

 

[Timbo]

Done it via ESTA website, thanks! Couldn't be easier really, as I understand it, if we want to leave the airport we apply when we land now we have the visa waiver?

 

[clippedgull]

Done it via ESTA website, thanks! Couldn't be easier really, as I understand it, if we want to leave the airport we apply when we land now we have the visa waiver?

Not sure on this. If you go through immigration, you usually have to give an address where you will be staying for the first night.

I don't think transit passengers get the option to go through immigration channels. Still at least you are armed with your ESTA if the opportunity arises.

 

[Timbo]

Not sure on this. If you go through immigration, you usually have to give an address where you will be staying for the first night.

I don't think transit passengers get the option to go through immigration channels. Still at least you are armed with your ESTA if the opportunity arises.

Thats great, thanks to everyone

No great deal if we dont manage to get out of the airport, would probably only get an hour anyway.

For all NSC's faults you can normally find anything out in 5 minutes without spending hours reading websites you dont understand!

 

[Beach Hut]

It is a very simple process as I did ours for a family of 4 at the weekend

 

[Gazwag]

Does anybody know if you do get approval or if it just files itself away on the US immigration computers. I did ours a few months ago and the approval came almost instantly it doesnt seem long enough for a computer to verify you are safe to enter US

 

[Beach Hut]

Does anybody know if you do get approval or if it just files itself away on the US immigration computers. I did ours a few months ago and the approval came almost instantly it doesnt seem long enough for a computer to verify you are safe to enter US

Ours did the same and also advised did not need to have the paperwork but I have printed off just in case

 

[Acker79]

it doesnt seem long enough for a computer to verify you are safe to enter US

It doesn't, it just means you are safe to travel, it still comes down to the border/customs and immigration officials to give you permission to enter.

 

[Gazwag]

Ours did the same and also advised did not need to have the paperwork but I have printed off just in case

Yeah I printed ours off as well, I just can't believe it actually authorises you to enter the US but is more an early warning of everybody who will be doing so.

Still if is saves 10 minutes going though immigration

 

[Wozza]

In Miami for only 4 hours but wouldn't mind getting out of the airport for a bit.

Literally four hours? From time you're due to land, to time of take-off?

Not worth it.

 

[Lethargic]

Unfortunately US Immigration is not much better than ours and although the ETSA is coming in to replace the old paper based visa forms you currently need to complete both the ESTA and the paper Visa (and customs Forms) as they have not replaced the old system yet. So you still need to complete the forms and go through the questioning from the Immigration Staff including photo and finger print. To be honest I would not be sure if they will let you through immigration and there is not a lot around Miami airport to see certainly in the limited time you have.