Going to USA - Advice needed :)

[Wilko]

I'm going to the states for a 2 week holiday. I have been told by the travel agency that I must do an online visa before I go. Other sites state that a visa is not required for British residents if the trip is less than 90 days.

Anyone know the score? I confussed

 

[bristolseagull]

don't

 

[Springal]

Actually, YES you must do the ESTA online. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ This was bought in, in January and you can be turned away if you have not done it.

They are doing away with the green cards on plane, when I went we still had to do one but later this year it is likely it will all be online.

 

[goldstone]

This is something new that has been in place since January. I believe you have to do it. There have been lots od ads about it in the newspapers. I went to the USA last month and was told by BA that the online form had to be completed. Did it and no problems.

 

[B.M.F]

Is it the same now coming from the US to England as my wife will need one?

 

[Wilko]

I have been to thst states in the past and just filled the form in on the plane, as Spingal says I think this has now changed.

 

[Wilko]

BOLLOCKS - you have to pay for it do you? SAKE

 

[Springal]

Is it the same now coming from the US to England as my wife will need one?

No, it is an American Homeland Security thing, we have nothing in place because we aren't like Americans, thank god.

 

[Springal]

BOLLOCKS - you have to pay for it do you? SAKE

No, some websites charge you to do it for you, but it is a piece of piss and free, follow the link I posted

 

[clapham_gull]

Nah you don't need to do one. They will hand out the visa form on the plane going over there and then you just get it approved by some uniformed yank when you get to passport control.

I think they have changed that system and you need to fill your details in ONLINE prior to visiting.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Beach Hut]

The on-line form is compulsory now otherwise you cannot go to the USA

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

The above are correct.

You MUST complete the form online at least 72 hours before you visit or there is a chance you will be turned away or at least delayed. No cards on the plane any more.

This is what BA are advising:

Travel Authorisation to the United States

If you are travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme, you must have Travel Authorisation. You can receive Travel Authorisation by completing the online form.

The application process may take up to 15-20 minutes and authorisation is normally granted immediately, but may take up to 72 hours.

We recommend that you apply for authorisation at the time of booking or at least 72 hours before your flight, to ensure that you are able to travel. Those making late bookings can still apply, but there is a risk that they may not receive immediate confirmation.

Once granted, Travel Authorisation is valid for multiple entries to the US for two years, unless any answers to the YES/NO questions on the form change or a new passport is required.

You are also required to provide Advance Passenger Information to the US government each time you travel to the US.

If you have a resident permit 'green card', or are travelling on a visa, you will not need to apply for authorisation as you are not travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme.

Form can be found here - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

 

[KNC]

Yes,you have to complete the form.I'm going in April. It doesn't take long.
Loved the question, are you,or have you ever been a member of the German Nazi party.

 

[CC2]

I went to Denver at the end of January and was told by al the various travel agencies, BA, etc... that the new ESTA process must be followed and that you need to fill in the 'green form' online or you would be turned away at immigration. Also lots of horror stories of people being turned away....

I filled mine in, even printed it off to take with me so I was all prepared.

On the plane they brought the green forms around for us to fill in and told us that the old manual process still had to be followed as the new online process was not working properly!!!!

There are actually two forms to fill in, a green visa waiver and a white customs declaration form.

 

[Springal]

I went to Denver at the end of January and was told by al the various travel agencies, BA, etc... that the new ESTA process must be followed and that you need to fill in the 'green form' online or you would be turned away at immigration. Also lots of horror stories of people being turned away....

I filled mine in, even printed it off to take with me so I was all prepared.

On the plane they brought the green forms around for us to fill in and told us that the old manual process still had to be followed as the new online process was not working properly!!!!

There are actually two forms to fill in, a green visa waiver and a white customs declaration form.

I dont think they are going to be properly using the online thing and being strict for a year or so but it is just to get people in practice!

Also, I believe once you have done it, it lasts a number of years so you don't need to for all visits

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

6 months grace period in force now where it is not compuklsory, and even if you get authorised online you still have to fill the green form in on the plane. then it's fingerprints and photos taken at immigration. plus of course the compulsory all cavity search.

one part of the above is not quite true.

hope this helped.

 

[Rookie]

As said above now need to fill in the form before you go, all very easy though and don't take long

 

[Harley S]

The above are correct.

You MUST complete the form online at least 72 hours before you visit or there is a chance you will be turned away or at least delayed. No cards on the plane any more.

This is what BA are advising:

Travel Authorisation to the United States

If you are travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme, you must have Travel Authorisation. You can receive Travel Authorisation by completing the online form.

The application process may take up to 15-20 minutes and authorisation is normally granted immediately, but may take up to 72 hours.

We recommend that you apply for authorisation at the time of booking or at least 72 hours before your flight, to ensure that you are able to travel. Those making late bookings can still apply, but there is a risk that they may not receive immediate confirmation.

Once granted, Travel Authorisation is valid for multiple entries to the US for two years, unless any answers to the YES/NO questions on the form change or a new passport is required.

You are also required to provide Advance Passenger Information to the US government each time you travel to the US.


Form can be found here - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

The above is bang on ! You MUST register at the ESTA website.

One important point is that you need to print out or keep a note of your reference number in case you have to update your details later. They don't appear to send you a confirmation mail with any details !

I flew after the 12th Jan start date & the UK airline was also asking to fill in the Green Visa Waver Card as well -the immigration guys still clip this into your passport.

I'm off again next Friday so will see if the Geeen Waver Form is still required & try to do an update.