View Full Version : ESTA - How To Apply
florida4sun
04-08-2009, 21:09
This is the official link for applying.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/)
Hi Martin
Thankyou for the information
Carol
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
For the free online application http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/esta.html
[/quote]So why not this one???
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
florida4sun
05-08-2009, 03:11
Its the same one!!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MJG
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
For the free online application http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/esta.html
[/quote]So why not this one???
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
[/quote]
caroline
05-08-2009, 03:41
Great idea to post the link Martin - could this topic be made sticky please so it doesn't slip down into oblivion?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Its the same one!!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MJG
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
For the free online application http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/esta.html
[/quote]So why not this one???
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
[/quote]
[/quote]
Yes, Martin's link is to the US Embassy in London, but if you follow the link given there, it takes you to the cbp page - so you end up in the same place eventually.
Definitely a good idea to make this a sticky :D
LiesaAnna
11-04-2010, 14:38
how soon do we need to do this prior to visiting??? we are going in just over 3 weeks.... my son in law has an appointment at the US embassy on monday to obtain a visa...... we only want a holiday and this is enough to put people off!!!
steph_goodrum
11-04-2010, 15:02
Liesa
You can do the rest of the families. You have to do it no less than 72 hours before travel. If your son in law gets a Visa he doesnt need to do an Esta application. Esta is for those who wish to travel without a visa.
LiesaAnna
11-04-2010, 16:45
thanks Steph xx
I read an article recently from the US Embassy stating that there was definately no charge for an ESTA but saying that they had no control over outside agencies who arranged them for you and made a charge. They advised that you contact the US Embassy rather than these other agencies. I think that it was in the Daily Mail.
Andrena
steph_goodrum
11-04-2010, 20:41
That having been said it was recently approved to bring in a tourism promotion charge or $10-$17 and the most likely way this will be collected is via a charge for the Esta appplication so I guess it wont be free for long.
50sumtng
12-04-2010, 14:28
If you use an agency, rather than the official USA government website, you risk:
1. giving money to a scammer
2. having all your passport / credit card / other personal details collected by an unknown agency...and goodness knows where that can end.
If you Google ESTA, the first 2 websites that are in the 'sponsored' section, are agencies who charge and you have no way of knowing how legit they are.
Use the official USA website
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by 50sumtng
If you Google ESTA, the first 2 websites that are in the 'sponsored' section, are agencies who charge and you have no way of knowing how legit they are.
Use the official USA website
[/quote]
I guess it depends on how you have Google set up. When I Google ESTA the first two links are for the legitimate CBP website.
Most travel agents have a link to ESTA. Thomas cook do.
They are saying in the papers today their is going to be a £10 charge to get in, same as turkey.
steph_goodrum
07-08-2010, 17:37
It will actually be $14 so it depends on exchange rate at the time.
According to the internet the charge comes in on 7th September, so apply before this date to save the $14
Dads_Taxi
08-09-2010, 15:05
Doh! Just sat down to do ours and indeed the charge has already been introduced.
A friend tried to do his Esta last night and apparently you can apply and get a block booking which I am presuming is for families or large parties, think he said it was $50 odd dollars.
Val
wrightbuxton
11-02-2011, 18:26
I think the link has changed now....
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Julie
Yep, looks like the link has changed.
LiesaAnna
23-08-2011, 21:46
Can anyone tell me please, this ESTA do i have to fill in? just hubby Steve and daughter Lauren and myself going this trip last trip may last year, i have never taken much notice of this really so not sure if i have to fill this in for us???
advice would be really welcomed please thanks xx
An ESTA lasts for 2 years sor if you completed one for last year then it will still be active.
Hi liesa! I've just completed ours for our trip in October, when you complete it it gives you a number so that you can check your status at anytime. It does last for two years but if you have the number then if you want to be sure everything is up to date then you can check it online! Hope this helps! Pauline
LiesaAnna
24-08-2011, 07:16
thanksPauline and Lyn xx
LiesaAnna
24-08-2011, 07:53
ALL DONE AND DUSTED [msncool]
Can anyone tell me please, this ESTA do i have to fill in? just hubby Steve and daughter Lauren and myself going this trip last trip may last year, i have never taken much notice of this really so not sure if i have to fill this in for us???
advice would be really welcomed please thanks xx
Hi Liesa,
I was a little surprised by your posting, for someone thats made over 13000 posts and says they dont take much notice of the ESTA form is strange, if you dont update the form every time you fly to the USA you will certainly be in trouble !!!
Just because your form is still within the 2 year period still means you have to enter your new flight details and address every time you go over.
caroline
24-08-2011, 16:05
Hi Liesa,
Just because your form is still within the 2 year period still means you have to enter your new flight details and address every time you go over.
Actually you don't have to fill these details in, they are optional.
We don't update our ESTA as this information is optional.
LiesaAnna
24-08-2011, 22:26
i dont tend to read up on these parts.. i love the more fun side of the forum like trip reports, countdowns, jokes, photos, and other titbits that are here but as ESTA is still newish i dont think about it, i did so much for my 15family members last year that when the trip was finished so was the memories of the London trip for my son in law the new passports for almost everyone kids and adults, police checks had to be made on one person... it was so tiring i filled the forms in last year and theyre still good for this year
Hi Liesa,
I was a little surprised by your posting, for someone thats made over 13000 posts and says they dont take much notice of the ESTA form is strange, if you dont update the form every time you fly to the USA you will certainly be in trouble !!!
Just because your form is still within the 2 year period still means you have to enter your new flight details and address every time you go over.
Hi Liesa,
I was a little surprised by your posting, for someone thats made over 13000 posts and says they dont take much notice of the ESTA form is strange, if you dont update the form every time you fly to the USA you will certainly be in trouble !!!
Just because your form is still within the 2 year period still means you have to enter your new flight details and address every time you go over.
Not at all! In common with a lot of people here it seems, I just register then forget it for two years. Unless your passport expires, you don't need to do anything else, as all the rest of the data is optional. You don't even need to print it off, as it quite clearly states you will never be asked to show it to anyone.
I stand corrected, you are right in that it is not mandatory to fill in new details of flights/accomodation etc but one thing I would say is that no one has a right to enter the USA, its under the discretion of the POE immigration officer and I think we have all heard horror stories of passengers being taken into the little room !!! for questioning if they fill something isnt right, I have first hand experience of this when freinds of ours left off the number of our villa when visiting us a few years back. I would recommend anyone taking a few minutes to update their ESTA form each time they fly over.
Luckily we have a B2 visa's so we dont have to worry about ESTA.