Visas for USA

[Earth-Angel]

I get regular news from a Money Saving Website and just reading this week`s was most intrigued to see included an update on the VISA WAIVER programme for USA.

As from 12th. January 2009, you will no longer have to fill in a form on the plane but MUST do it on the internet before you go. If you do not have access to the internet yourself then you must fnd someone else to do it.

Just checked on here before posting this and notice several questions in the last few days concerning the U.S. visa waiver but none of them mention this fact (not even some of our very knowledgeable contributors such as Buenchico!) so this must not be generally known yet.

Although I have no immediate plans to visit U.S. I have completed mine so should I wish to go in next two years it is aldready done. Just as I obtained a visa quite some years ago (very quick from Embassy in London) only because I noticed the queues for the Laker Skytrain and thought it a good idea - just in case I wanted to go at short notice - those were the days!

Thought this is link, but will have to return with further info on site I saw it on
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread .html?t=846763

[Earth-Angel]

This is he site where I saw it, perhaps someone more knowledgeable can supply a direct link


... Travelling to the USA after 12 Jan? Apply for a Visa Waiver ONLINE before you go
The days of filling a Visa Waiver form for US travel on the plane are ending. ...
www.moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip/ - 101k - Cached

[sddsddean]

Heres the direct link to the form
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c4AE6D9A3-910B-1273-CA40-CD8408A4EA64_kF33D4F2F-7AF3-D279-30F6-91482F06F9BB

[sddsddean]

Aha, it doesn't want to work. Go to the link in Earth angels post and there is a link in the first post of the thread.

[bobs1975]

Earth Angel - It has been mentioned many many times before and is commonly referred to by previous posters including Buenchico as ESTA.

[kempie]

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta /

[auntiebertie]

It is ESTA and I also have mentioned it....

[pink-kittens]

it is not VISA WAIVER it is ESTA

check here and you will see MANY MANY mentions of it

[kempie]

...and some of those many, many mentions will show that pink-kittens does not understand that ESTA is an extension of the VWP.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the VWP, and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon completion of an ESTA application, a VWP traveller is notified of his or her eligibility to travel to the United States under the VWP.

[ojread2]

Kempie

May I ask a few questions with the intention of getting my head around all this please?

when you apply for this on line, are you notified via email?
If you are accepted do you print it off?

How does the airline know you have been passed OK and haven't just duplicated or made your own?

What happens once you get on the airplane?

I thought, probably incorrectly lol, that you went through US customs/immigration with the VW in your hand, how does the US end work now?


confused of Kent
TIA

[dzug]

You get an online confirmation which you print off - no e-mail

Don't know how the airline knows

Nothing happens when you get on the plane

At the far end you just hand your passport to US immigration, rather than the passport plus visa waiver application form

[ojread2]

cheers Kempie

Well, when we do go I will ask relevant questions agian - or search this section