View Full Version : Paranoid Traveler! ESTA expires 5 days after we return home. Anyone any experience?
Dads_Taxi
18-01-2014, 12:16
76 Days 'til we head back to Orlando, so I thought I'd check our ESTA status. Turns out 4 of us have ESTAs that are valid until 4 days after we return home, so in theory it looks as though I'd be wasting a lot of time and 40 quid on renewing them. I've tried the Help pages on the US CPB website, and found an encouraging (in bold type no less) "If your ESTA expires while in the US it will not affect your departure. "
So, just out of interest, has anyone ever been questioned about a soon-to-expire ESTA when leaving the UK or entering the USA?
Never been asked and I know someone who's ESTA expred during their visit and nobody questioned it - it must just be valid on your departure so you will be fine....spend the few pounds on something else :)
eagleydo
18-01-2014, 15:02
Esta site;
My travel authorization is valid for travel to the United States but will expire before I depart. Do I need to apply for a new one before my trip?No. ESTA travel authorization needs only to be valid upon arrival in the United States.
So dont waste your money, Dave. Esta needs to be in place for your arrival in the states
Dads_Taxi
18-01-2014, 18:51
Oh, well done Jan, you found exactly what I was looking for. It's a BIG site and I wasn't able to find a definitive answer as you have. Thanks for that.
Carol, I'll treat the gang to a round of ice-creams out of my savings!
Oh, well one Jan, you found exactly what I was looking for. It's a BIG site and I wasn't able to find a definitive answer as you have. Thanks for that.
Carol, I'll treat the gang to a round of ice-creams out of my savings!
Great idea...enjoy:)
On a similar vain people think you need 6 months on your passport remaining when you enter the USA when in fact it only needs to be valid for your stay.
steph_goodrum
03-02-2014, 21:52
On a similar vain people think you need 6 months on your passport remaining when you enter the USA when in fact it only needs to be valid for your stay.
I've recentlly told the story on here of our experience so will keep it brief but at the end of 2012 when we went for Christmas with hubbys passport expiring in Feb he was taken in for secondary questioning because he didnt have 6 months. the IO at the desk agreed with me when I said you dont need it according to regs and he said he had been told to send everybody in that didnt have 6 months. the one in secondary was quite hostile and ketp insisting you needed 6 months, it wont happen again as we aren't going to chance such an unpleasant experience again to start the holiday.
The norm is most countries need 6 months (The UK has a special agreement)
This is just another classic example of the IO not knowing the rules!
I would take the US embassy print out next time!
Its one of those depends on the IO on the day I suppose.
steph_goodrum
04-02-2014, 11:14
The norm is most countries need 6 months (The UK has a special agreement)
This is just another classic example of the IO not knowing the rules!
I would take the US embassy print out next time!
Its one of those depends on the IO on the day I suppose.
That's what I was trying to say Jonathon, we had the print out and the IO said (even without me showing him) that we didnt need it but he had been told everyone had to be referred for secondary that didnt have 6 months. we've had friends travle with less the my husband had and had no problems, since it is down to their discretion on the day we think it best not to take and chances.
I take your point - but a new passport = new ESTA so kind of annoys when its not technically necessary!
You can renew your passport 6 months ahead of time, without loosing anything
So no issue when ESTA was free, but as its not any more or transferable, they are effectively making it more expensive, by not following the 6 month rule, and forcing you to buy a new one ahead of time.
steph_goodrum
04-02-2014, 13:59
I take your point - but a new passport = new ESTA so kind of annoys when its not technically necessary!
You can renew your passport 6 months ahead of time, without loosing anything
So no issue when ESTA was free, but as its not any more or transferable, they are effectively making it more expensive, by not following the 6 month rule, and forcing you to buy a new one ahead of time.
Thats exactly why we didnt renew ahead of time, he had an Esta in place that covered him and realised that if we got a new passport (we had even got so far as filling in the passport application online and it had been posted to us for signature) would then have to renew the esta (in December) and knew we weren't going to be needing it taill at least the next July so would have lost 7 months of the 2 years validity of the Esta. You can renew your passport anytime but only up to 9 months unused validity will be added on. Luckily wont have that problem for at leat another 8 years as we have both renewed passports now.
Our granddaughter has had to get a new passport as hers showed her picture at 3months and she is now almost 5. This means a new ESTA which of course puts her out of date to the rest of the family. However if they had listened to me they would all have got a Visa and the this wouldn't have happened, they would just have Had to carry both passports and it would have lasted 10 years which would have saved money as the Visa lasts for 10 years but they didn't listen. They go every year sometimes twice a year so it would have been worth it.
I thought the US Embassy (in the UK) often challenge the need for a B2, if you only do 2 trips a year?
Also I don't think all B2's last ten years automatically these days - some are only 5 I'd heard..
We have had B2s for years and they have always been for 10 years. I know many people who have them and have not had a oroblems in getting them.
Andrena
It would be nice if you could trust the IO to know what the rules are, it is there job after all. However we seem to know the rules better than they do, not that it helps when you are questioned, as the ESTA gives you no rights of appeal so if they say no then no it is, scary really.
Dads_Taxi
05-02-2014, 21:18
Just one phone call to the US Embassy could cost as much as an ESTA I reckon!
BTW you've all hijacked my thread!! :)
Dave, just to be sure I think I would just renew and then you are all set for the next trip with no worries at all for this one
It would be nice if you could trust the IO to know what the rules are, it is there job after all. However we seem to know the rules better than they do, not that it helps when you are questioned, as the ESTA gives you no rights of appeal so if they say no then no it is, scary really.
True - fortunately never happened to me (says whilst touching wood!)
They can also refuse your entry on a B2 - neither visa guarantees entry - Its all down to the IO's opinion of your intent on arrival.
Some people get B2's thinking they are better - but other than a longer stay there's not much in it
I might get a B2 once I retire - as maybe can they afford a longer trip!
And Dave this thread is still fairly on topic!! all about ESTAs and other visa choices...
bargainqueen
22-12-2014, 11:20
We're travelling out in January but my sister is flying out 1st Feb. Our Esta's run out 2nd Feb which would have been valid but to save her worrying I've just renewed hers.
The form has so much more info added to it, including contact details in US. I put our holiday villa adds and my mobile number.
The most annoying part was it referred to the previous application at the end of the submission, it would have been easier to up load those details as they were all still valid.
freddiehollie
22-12-2014, 14:49
Quote :- I take your point - but a new passport = new ESTA so kind of annoys when its not technically necessary!
Maybe not necessary, "But"....... More ESTA revenue for US Goverment ;-);-);-)