ESTA's are all applied for and we have written down our reference numbers that appear after the application.
Read on here that people have photcopied ESTA's...do i need a photocopy of the form as we dont have one! I just thought we would need to produce the number at check in
I'm not sure why people take a copy of their ESTA, you don't need it so no need to worry. As long as you have completed the form and had it accepted then you have done all that is required. Relax and have a good holiday.
Dave
you only need the number if you want to update the info for a future trip and even that isn't compulsory
Liz
So we would be fine without the photocopy?
Thank goodness for that - i was panicking that we hadnt taken a copy!
Even the ESTA application website itself says you will never need to show the data to anyone, so don't worry about it. Many people (including myself) like to be covered so printed a copy, but it's not at all necessary.
You don't even need the reference number - at check in they'll just ask if have you applied successfully for ESTA. Depending on the system they use they might get a 'Yes' or 'No' reply from the DHS system when they enter your passport details. But if you've already entered APIS data (which is likely) these checks will almost certainly have already been done. But they have no access to the ESTA database itself, so the reference number is of no use to the check in agent.
At US immigration they get all the data up on their screens when they swipe your passport.
You will need the reference number if you ever want to update the information at a later date. But even then, if you have lost the reference number you can just apply again (and you'll get a new reference number).
Keith
I've just used my reference number from last year to update my ESTA for the family. There was only one page to fill in and it didn't ask for names or dates of travel. Should there be a form for each person?
I didn't get any confirmation so how do I find out if it's been accepted?
Ian
Ian, You've updated ESTA ONLY for the one person referenced on the number you've used. There will be a unique ref. for each member of your family & you should update each / every one !!!
- Sorry -
We're in Arizona right now. We flew in with BA. Much to my surprise (and anger), at check-in both in Bordeaux and London LHR, then on arrival in Phoenix before going through immigration, BA attendants were adamant we should produce a copy of our ESTA. I'm not sure what would have happened if I hadn't made a copy of ours. Mind you, I made a copy just because we are travelling to the US again later this year and I don't want to type all the informations again. I don't even know why I took those copies with us, but I'm glad I did, because the BA attendant at check-in basically told me "no copy of ESTA, no flight" when I challenged her with the fact that nowhere it is said you actually need to print your ESTA, quite the contrary.
Now, the immigration officer in PHX told me that she didn't need to see it unless it didn't work when she processed our passports, and then we would probably just have to fill up the old green form (I'm glad to say it worked just fine). So it might be that BA is overdoing it? Is the US government putting pressure on the airlines so that they take responsability in checking their passengers have gone through the process?
I'm pretty sure we would have been fine, but it was a very akward situation and just to avoid trouble I recommend you print the ESTA and bring it with you.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lafifille
We're in Arizona right now. We flew in with BA. Much to my surprise (and anger), at check-in both in Bordeaux and London LHR, then on arrival in Phoenix before going through immigration, BA attendants were adamant we should produce a copy of our ESTA. I'm not sure what would have happened if I hadn't made a copy of ours. Mind you, I made a copy just because we are travelling to the US again later this year and I don't want to type all the informations again. I don't even know why I took those copies with us, but I'm glad I did, because the BA attendant at check-in basically told me "no copy of ESTA, no flight" when I challenged her with the fact that nowhere it is said you actually need to print your ESTA, quite the contrary.
Now, the immigration officer in PHX told me that she didn't need to see it unless it didn't work when she processed our passports, and then we would probably just have to fill up the old green form (I'm glad to say it worked just fine). So it might be that BA is overdoing it? Is the US government putting pressure on the airlines so that they take responsability in checking their passengers have gone through the process?
I'm pretty sure we would have been fine, but it was a very akward situation and just to avoid trouble I recommend you print the ESTA and bring it with you.
[/quote]
It is (always has been) the carrier's responsibility to ensure that all passengers have the neccessary travel documents...passport, visa (if required) etc.
ESTA has muddied the water a little bit, because it is really just a different way of doing the visa waiver scheme. But whereas previously the green visa waiver form had to be presented at the immigration desk, the ESTA has to be done before departure. Therefore I guess airlines are being cautious, just in case immigration turns someone away and repatriates them at the carrier's expense.
However the CBP site makes it clear you don't have to show the form to anyone, so you should stand your ground and ask to see a supervisor. In the vast majority of cases (BA included) the check-in system will send a message to the DHS system and will receive a 'yes' or 'no' depending on whether that passport has been registered for ESTA. Clearly a 'no' response will lead the airline to not let you fly.
I guess it's possible that the DHS system was down at the time of check-in (it has happened a few times recently) and therefore the check-in agent just wanted to make sure.
Keith
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