[ESTA] Visa Waiver To Usa Changing On August 01 2008

[thatwouldbher]

Just thought I would I would let everyone know that the visa waiver system (I94) will be changing as of August 1st 2008. You will need to go online (US Travel Registry) and fill out your details etc similar to the current form you get on the plane days before you plan to leave for your flight. By doing it this way you will get one of 3 responses:

you can print out a notification saying you can board your flight, or there is a problem and you will need to contact the US Consulate before you leave, which will prevent the need to have you turned around and reboarded once arriving in USA, and the other one is you may be able to resubmit in 72 hours or more after they have done some checking into you. either way it will save you money on a return flight if you are refused the vw. for future entries you can just update your details like addresses etcas your details will be saved. be interesting to hear some comments on this. It has just been announced by Michael Chertoff Homeland Security Secretary. It will start August 1st 2008 and will be in full effect by january 12th 2009, for all 27 visa waiver countries. so this is a heads up for everyone considering coming here to the USA from August!

 

[thatwouldbher]

MORE INFO AT THIS LINK

DHS: Fact Sheet: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)


this is the type of response one will get immediately:

In most cases, ESTA will provide an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel under the VWP. Possible responses include: Authorization Approved, Travel Not Authorized, or Authorization Pending.

 

[drron]

Just thought it a hoot that when I use the link from the fact sheet to esta to see if anything there yet Norton comes up with the message-there is a problem with this websites security certificate.
Leaving on August 7.Am in 2 minds whether to try out the system.Yes I would like to but the first week may have a lot of bugs.

 

[serfty]

You're prophetic - just tried the link: "Host is unreachable at this time" ...

 

[docjames]

SO what happens if i need to go to NYC for 2 days, then head out for a couple of weeks, then back for a connection (CUN-DFW-SCL)?

Am i safe if i've registered the first one (and been approved) and the other one is just a connection (or will i have to clear immigration anyway)? I'll be in CUba in between and wont be able to access internet to register?



As if this new process adds ANYTHING to USA security.

 

[Maca44]

It is only voluntary applications after 1st August 2008, and the Dept of Homeland Security intends to issue a notice that it become manditory as of 12th January 2009. Even after January 2009 pax with urgent travel needs will be catered for, but if you are a regular traveller to the ASA it would be covered as the webpage states:

An approved ESTA travel authorization is:

• valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
• valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
• not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, CBP officers make admissibility determinations at our ports of entry.

 

[serfty]

You're prophetic - just tried the link: "Host is unreachable at this time" ...

Ok, tis back working ... sort of ...

"Web Site Under Construction" ...

 

[simongr]

It is only voluntary applications after 1st August 2008, and the Dept of Homeland Security intends to issue a notice that it become manditory as of 12th January 2009. Even after January 2009 pax with urgent travel needs will be catered for, but if you are a regular traveller to the ASA it would be covered as the webpage states:

An approved ESTA travel authorization is:

• valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
• valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
• not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, CBP officers make admissibility determinations at our ports of entry.

I think this was reported in another thread recently. Personally as a regular traveller to the US this is a once every two years thing. This does nothing to security but I do not think that this is intended as a security measure - simply an admin matter. This is not differeent on some levels to the visa program that people entering into Oz have to go through - which is the on line electronic visa that the TA should arrange for you.

I just hope this in some way helps with the timeliness of entry into the US - but I expect not

 

[docjames]

Ok, so either no need to register, or if i register, the second entry (on non-entry) will be no problem!

Thanks!!

 

[Paddy B]

:?: Hello There, I spoke to our travel agent about this, she thinks it is just someone over there saving themselves some work, re filling forms.
Is anyone going in the next few weeks, who hasn't done this? did they they have any problems when they arrived?
Paddy B

 

[Travel Guru]

:?: Hello There, I spoke to our travel agent about this, she thinks it is just someone over there saving themselves some work, re filling forms.
Is anyone going in the next few weeks, who hasn't done this? did they they have any problems when they arrived?
Paddy B

If you're going shortly you wont have any problems, it's not mandatory until early next year, for now it's only required on a voluntary basis.

TG

 

[Paddy B]

thanks , that answers my query.

 

[coco50]

Better wait until August 2 if you are GMT +10. It's still Jul 31 in LOTFAP

 

[moa999]

It might be a 2008 form but it still uses language like moral turpitude

Looks like its just a replacement for the old green form

 

[Paddy B]

Thanks for that.

 

[Driver]

I completed the form yesterday for Mr Driver - immediate authorisation. Printed the completed form with authorisation number although it does say it is not necessary to take the paperwork with you. I'm taking it for him anyway. Very easy and quick to process.

 

[SFSC]

Well I've just used it. All pretty straightforward except when it came to filling out the bit about address in the US. The help screen said that if you are to transit straight away, just to put "in transit" in the first address field. Did this but the form was re-presented with notes that "City" and "State" were required fields Got around it by putting "from US City" "The State that the transit city is in" in those fields and it went through.

I sure hate filling in forms with mandatory fields that don't quite fit your circumstances. Hope the work-around will pass muster when I pass through immigration in about five weeks!

 

[Driver]

Well I've just used it. All pretty straightforward except when it came to filling out the bit about address in the US.

I put down the first hotel we are staying in. This seemed acceptable. Mr Driver couldn't believe the 'yes' 'no' questions!

 

[SFSC]

I put down the first hotel we are staying in. This seemed acceptable. Mr Driver couldn't believe the 'yes' 'no' questions!

We are going straight on to Canada after about 4 hours if our incoming flight is on time. Now flying AC in Y after AS pulled out of the route

 

[Maca44]

I assume the questions would be identical to the I-94W forms, but would be nice if the next person to register could copy and paste the questions. In saying that, I have not applied and there may be some legal notes in the site that prevent someone from doing this.