That's correct. You don't need to take a copy of the approval with you and you don't need any paperwork, but it wouldn't do any harm to print it off anyway.

You will still have to complete the green visa waiver form on the plane which has the same questions as the ESTA. It is all electronic and the immigration officer will see on his screen that you have a valid ESTA.

luci

Hello,

for anybody that may be interested, Jords, not sure if you read on here anymore.... They have changed a few things at the embassy i think, the website now says if your case requires additional administrative processing, your given a number at your visa interview & you can check your case update online at the embassy, this has been happening since the 1st october, so anybody that applied before that date still no clues, lol. I like this new idea, id seen it before on other embassy websites, im glad london now has this for the future!! There are 4 updates, pending, email sent, processed & send passport i think. Thought id let anybody interested know, who doesnt know allready!!

ESTA.

My agent at Trailfinders emailed me today.

As from 20th Jan 2010 the ESTA form has to be completed 72 hours before you travel. This is now compulsory. Apparently for the last 12 months they would still allow you to travel without an ESTA but you had to fill in the green form on the plane. This explains why we had to fill one in last year when we had already done the ESTA. Green forms stop after the 20th.

It has been a few years since I visited the USA and I've read on here about the new entry proceedures (ESTA)
But I'm still abit confused I'm worried if I book a holiday to the states, then apply for the ESTA and get a refusal. There should be no reason for a refusal but I err on the side of caution.
So, could I apply first without booking a holiday? If so how would I go on about hotel details and dates?
I have visited before on 4 occasions but they now seem ultra strict!

Many thanks from a newbie

Welcome rosauk ... holiday address details are optional at the time of registration, you can update your authorisation later with that information. Make sure you use only the official ESTA site, as linked to in my signature below.

David

Hey Bubble/all
i do still read here just have nothing to add lately tho, have had a look at web site and there seam to be quite a few changes now, sending stuff via e mail ya have to scan stuff etc? not sure i understand lol but i'm about to start the porc all over again as we are planning a 3 week trip this year.
How did hubby get on? last time i read you were waiting for reply, did it come? hope it did, when you off again? have a great time when you go i can't wait.

Jords

Hey Jords,

Were still waiting to hear from the embassy.... i think we will hear next month as that will be the same sort of time frame as last time, i hope so anyway!! lol.

We had to scan in the documents & email them this time aswell, only difference is now when you go you will get a case number & keep checking on the website for updates, he just missed out on this, so even when i rang the other week to ask for an update they couldnt tell me anything & we cant even email now! its been over 22 weeks!!

3 weeks for you that sounds so good.... when are you thinking of going? my husbands work has changed their holiday rules & you have to take your 2 week summer holiday in set dates & the time slot we have, is not good for fligths to orlando, basically the saturday is no flights left & the sunday is over £1000 each for the flights, with virgin, ive also checked others & their all around the same.... so were a little disapointed!! I will check again when it comes time to book, but think were going to go west coast this time!!

I shall post again when we have news from the embassy, but my thinking is they like to inform you around 6 or so weeks before you intend to go, which isnt too much time to arrange etc!

Thanks David for the information, if I just apply without accommodation details and date will they give me a reference number to confirm the details later?
Thanks again.

Yes, if you look at the initial page of the ESTA website (click here), you will see that the option on the left hand side is to make a new registration, and the option on the right hand side is to regain access to your registration for updates, etc.

David

Thanks again David, will do it tomorrow!
Rosa

I would suggest printing off your approved ESTA or at least writing down the reference VERY carefully. It's a very long reference with a mixture of letters and numbers.

luci

So if I print the ESTA off do I then have to produce that at checkin and then in the USA? I've looked at it and it looks the same as the paper visa waiver form, or what I can remember of it.
Thinking of doing a coach tour starting in LA then moving on to Vegas, so would need the hotel name and zip code?
I remember doing a coach tour a few year's ago and they actually changed the hotels, the hotel printed in the brochure wasn't the same as what came with the actual tickets.

So I'd be best leaving hotel details until we got the tickets? I love travelling but I get so full of anxiety planning it.

Rosa

No need to produce the ESTA at check in or immigration. Last time we went the Immigration Officer asked if we had completed the ESTA. I said we had and went to get it from my bag, but he said there was no need as he could see that I had on his screen after scanning my passport.

You need the correct name and address of your first night's accommodation, including zip code, but I don't think they actually check it so I wouldn't worry if it changes.

You still have to complete the Visa Waiver and Customs form on the plane which have the same questions as the ESTA although this should be phased out.

Nothing to get anxious about. The accommodation details are optional for completing the ESTA so you can complete it now and add the details at a later date.

I always revise the ESTA with my new flight and accommodation details for each trip, but this isn't compulsory.

luci

Hi again
Just to let you know I went a head and applied and thankfully it came back 'Authorized' so relieved at that!
Thanks for great info on the forum

Well done Rosa, thanks for letting us know
David

Reading another post they mention as from the 20th Jan 2010 the green forms are no more? Is that official it's all now electronic?

One other quick question, do you get finger printed electronically on entry to the States?

Rosa

Hello,

I had read that about the forms aswell, however im not sure on this. You do get your fingerprints taken on entry, some ques just were taking prints of 2 fingers i think & the other one was taking every finger print, in like alternate rows, i asked the guy on the immigration desk why & he said it was because if they all took the whole hand prints the system would crash? This was in Orlando. They also scan your eyes aswell i think, Maybe someone could correct me!?

Yes I have read that the green visa waiver was due to be stopped from 20 January when the ESTA became compulsory, even though it was supposed to be compulsory from 12 January last year. However I haven't seen this confirmed yet.

Up until last year they took your photo (iris scan) at immigration along with a print of your thumb and forefinger. Last year they took prints of all 10 digits.

luci

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can help. Going to new york in november for 4 nights, just wondering what we need to get in to america? Visas?

Thanks Tamara