ESTA Verification

[sweens]

Can anyone help here?
I am travelling to the U.S. in a couple of weeks and I applied for and had an approved ESTA when I did a similar trip 12 months ago.

I understand that the ESTA approval is good for 24 months…as I have no record of the approval reference from last year how do I confirm that my ESTA is still valid?

I tried their web site but that appears to be for new registrations only…I have emailed the U.S. Embassy in Canberra (on holiday today) and who knows when they will reply.

Does anyone know an easy way to confirm this? As we all know you now have to pay for an ESTA so there is no point re applying if I still have current approval

 

[jamesatfish]

Re: ESTA varification

Your ESTA is indeed valid for 24 months, and the ESTA website does state that after receiving authorisation you don't need to print a copy or take the details with you when you actually travel. I've been to the US numerous times since the program started and have never been asked for the ESTA details at any time - the closest I had was a check-in agent in CBR who asked simply if I had applied, but wasn't interested in more details after that. If you're confident that your ESTA is still valid, and you haven't changed any significant details since applying (particularly your passport details) then you should be okay.

(edited to remove incorrect advice)

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Re: ESTA varification

Unfortunately you can't recover an ESTA authorisation number from a previous application, nor can you look up a previous application to check validity without having the number.

Well, thats not true.

Go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

At the bottom you will see an option for "If you are missing your application please click here". Simply enter your details and you will find your application.

It's quite simple.

 

[jamesatfish]

Re: ESTA varification

Well, thats not true.

Go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

At the bottom you will see an option for "If you are missing your application please click here". Simply enter your details and you will find your application.

It's quite simple.

Sorry - things have changed in the last month and my statement isn't 100% correct any more. I should have checked this before posting.

In the OP's case however I believe my statement is still valid.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1083/kw/esta/session/L3NpZC9HUkJsWDFiaw%3D%3D

It seems if you applied after 8 September 2010 (when the fees were introduced) then you can recover your application without needing the ESTA number. If you applied before this date (as the OP did) you cannot use this facility to recover your application number or check your ESTA status.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Re: ESTA varification

Sorry - things have changed in the last month and my statement isn't 100% correct any more. I should have checked this before posting.

In the OP's case however I believe my statement is still valid.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1083/kw/esta/session/L3NpZC9HUkJsWDFiaw%3D%3D

It seems if you applied after 8 September 2010 (when the fees were introduced) then you can recover your application without needing the ESTA number. If you applied before this date (as the OP did) you cannot use this facility to recover your application number or check your ESTA status.

I pulled mine up from September 2009 with no issue.

 

[jamesatfish]

Re: ESTA varification

I pulled mine up from September 2009 with no issue.

Fair enough. I'm only going on my own experience, plus what's on the ESTA website.

Happy to stand corrected.

 

[sweens]

Re: ESTA varification

Well, thats not true.

Go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

At the bottom you will see an option for "If you are missing your application please click here". Simply enter your details and you will find your application.

It's quite simple.

Got it...yes that worked!

Thanks to all.

 

[PLANT]

Re: ESTA varification

Is the website in this thread the one to use?
$14 fee admin fee?

Regards

 

[Mal]

Re: ESTA varification

Is the website in this thread the one to use?
$14 fee admin fee?

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ - indeed.

$US14 - yep ... that's the fee. Congratulations for your donation to the US "Attract Tourists" fund.

 

[PLANT]

Re: ESTA varification

Miss read US Dollars and did not use 28degree card ahhhhhh!

 

[serfty]

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ - indeed.

$US14 - yep ... that's the fee. Congratulations for your donation to the US "Attract Tourists" fund.

Still, it's not too bad - and it lasts for two years.

Compare that with needing to pay the Oz Govm'nt $47 every time you wish to depart "God'zone" ...

 

[HW]

Still, it's not too bad - and it lasts for two years.

Compare that with needing to pay the Oz Govm'nt $47 every time you wish to depart "God'zone" ...

Agree! Sometimes when people bleat about the amount of time in customs queues and/or the cost to get visas, I suggest they look at what it costs others to enter Aus.

 

[captainmegatron]

Hey Guys,

First time poster, long time reader. I managed to get some incredibly cheap tickets to LA a few weeks back and made an impulse buy. I have no plans to stay in the states, but merely to transfer to Mexico and therefore have no interest (nor the time) to apply for a visa. My situation is:

• A few years ago I was charged with possession of explicit substance, however the charge was frivolous at best and the matter was quashed at trial.
• Last year I was charged with a DUI and a subsequent driving on a disqualified licence.

Now I understand the risks associated with ticking "no" as I have been arrested for a drug crime. I have done some reading in regards to what information we share with other countries and I am wish to pick your brains as to see if it will show on my history due to it being a quashed conviction (and therefore a 'spent' one).

In regards to the DUI, case law has suggested that it is not a crime of moral turpitude and therefore should not hinder my entry.

From what I have read, the disqualified licence charge is a bit of a grey area, however it is also not a crime of moral turpitude. Thoughts?

Furthermore, what is the process and what are the repercussions of getting grilled and subsequently turned around at LAX involve?

My flight is next Saturday and I'm still yet to decide if I'm going to go!

Any help would be great. Thanks!

 

[Hvr]

I have no idea what will happen but just in case you do get arrested at the border please do advise us what happens. The best you can hope for is to get through with no problems.

The worst is you do nearly 30+ hours in economy (i.e. there and virtually straight back) and get to meet some really nice US officials on your one and only visit ever to the USA. This includes transiting through there on the way to anywhere else.

And you will always have to answer yes to the question 'have you ever been denied entry and/or deported from any other country' which seems to appear on several other countries immigration forms.

Happy travelling.

 

[one9]

Re: US Customs Dilemma

I believe according to Australian law in most instances if you are asked if you have any convictions or if you have been arrested you are usually allowed to answer No if the convictions are spent (eg. good behaviour bond or after 5 or 10 years). (there are exceptions like certain occupations etc). So in regards to the possession of explicit substance matter I believe it would be reasonable to answer no. Although Australian laws may not apply to the US, you have a good reason to answer No as you would be able to do this if you were applying for something in Australia and it would be understandable you wouldn't know that the US is different. As you recieved no conviction it is very unlikely the US would have access to such information.

In regards to the driving matters, it is a grey area whether or not the matters are a crime of moral turpitude, so you would also have a reasonable reason to say No.

From hearing others experience of saying No when they have non serious criminal convictions, none of them have had problems. However I am just saying the facts and are not advising what I think you should do. You have to always be prepared for the worst.

 

[captainmegatron]

Hey Guys,

First time poster, long time reader. I managed to get some incredibly cheap tickets to LA a few weeks back and made an impulse buy. I have no plans to stay in the states, but merely to transfer to Mexico and therefore have no interest (nor the time) to apply for a visa. My situation is:

• A few years ago I was charged with possession of explicit substance, however the charge was frivolous at best and the matter was quashed at trial.
• Last year I was charged with a DUI and a subsequent driving on a disqualified licence.

Now I understand the risks associated with ticking "no" as I have been arrested for a drug crime. I have done some reading in regards to what information we share with other countries and I am wish to pick your brains as to see if it will show on my history due to it being a quashed conviction (and therefore a 'spent' one).

In regards to the DUI, case law has suggested that it is not a crime of moral turpitude and therefore should not hinder my entry.

From what I have read, the disqualified licence charge is a bit of a grey area, however it is also not a crime of moral turpitude. Thoughts?

Furthermore, what is the process and what are the repercussions of getting grilled and subsequently turned around at LAX involve?

My flight is next Saturday and I'm still yet to decide if I'm going to go!

Any help would be great. Thanks!

Hey Guys,

I had no troubles when I arrived at LAX customs. My acquittal was obviously considered a spent conviction and thus not on record. The driving matters are not crimes involving moral turpitude.