USA ESTA

[Quickstatus]

Why would a sticker bother you

I got a security sticker exiting SYD. The auto kiosk had problems reconciling my face to record - has to go to secondary - sticker inserted there

 

[JohnK]

Especially when Google ranks the real esta website below third party esta agent websites who charge a fee like QF

Try getting a "free" Australian tax file number. The first link is a paid service and I was in a hurry. They then charged a cancellation fee so not the first time that has happened.

 

[jgm]

They send you an email a few months before it expires.
Provided you are using the same email 2 years after you applied, there isn't really any reason that you wouldn't know the ESTA needed renewing.

My ESTA expires at the end of Jan (a few days after I fly), but I haven't received an email nor has my wife who is in the same situation.

The ESTA approval is linked to the passport. They'll get boarding permission when they scan the passport at check in. I've never been asked for the ESTA number.

I used to think that was the case also. But the last time we went (Feb 2017) the OZ staff at MEL wouldn't check us in until I could bring up the ESTA's for both of us on my iPad. I printed copies in the lounge in case we were asked for them again at ICN, but they weren't required again. I will have a printed copy with me this time.

 

[RooFlyer]

I used to think that was the case also. But the last time we went (Feb 2017) the OZ staff at MEL wouldn't check us in until I could bring up the ESTA's for both of us on my iPad. I printed copies in the lounge in case we were asked for them again at ICN, but they weren't required again. I will have a printed copy with me this time.

That sounds very, very odd. Certainly not the norm.

 

[Himeno]

My ESTA expires at the end of Jan (a few days after I fly), but I haven't received an email nor has my wife who is in the same situation.

May have been sent to spam, or you could have had an old/wrong email in the system.
I got a "your esta is about to expire" email in September. Renewed it a few weeks later.

I used to think that was the case also. But the last time we went (Feb 2017) the OZ staff at MEL wouldn't check us in until I could bring up the ESTA's for both of us on my iPad. I printed copies in the lounge in case we were asked for them again at ICN, but they weren't required again. I will have a printed copy with me this time.

Not the norm. It is possible they had lost their data link to CBP when you tried to check in and they needed to see the ESTA somehow.

 

[Kangarucci]

Traveller arrived at Melbourne airport yesterday without an ESTA. They were very fortunate that their ESTA was authorised straight away! Don't risk it!

 

[Pushka]

Applied for Canadian eVisa and US ESTA this morning. Canadian back instantly. Still waiting on US one.

 

[Lynda2475]

I've entered the US on my soon to expire passport on 8 separate occasions (via HNL, SFO, DFW and LAX) on 3 different ESTAs and never had a sticker (curious as to what these stickers are) just an entry stamp and never been asked to show my ESTA (although usually have a PDF copy on my phone just in case).

My next entry will be on a new passport (so new ESTA required) and this time I will board a flight from the UK and not Aus - wondering if the process is any different?

 

[RooFlyer]

I've entered the US on my soon to expire passport on 8 separate occasions (via HNL, SFO, DFW and LAX) on 3 different ESTAs and never had a sticker (curious as to what these stickers are)

They are relatively new - a year or so - and are put in by agents who stand at the check in queue at the departure airport after you have answered some security questions. Small, stripy things.

They are a flag to others that you have been asked ( and presumably passed) the security questions.

ESTA should be in 'the system' and available to the check in agent automatically, but sometimes it's not and then you'll need to show it somehow.

 

[serfty]

As mentioned, the stickers are relatively recent.

It shows you have been interviewed regarding your reasons for travel to the USA.

You can remove them after travel if you wish.

 

[coriander]

Yes, we had a couple of security personnel put these stickers in our passports at MEL on the 2nd QF49 to SFO (5/9/18).

 

[Pushka]

Having applied for ESTA yesterday I expected an email this morning for approval - but nada. I’d printed out the application so checked online as to its status. Both have been approved. But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

 

[blackcat20]

Having applied for ESTA yesterday I expected an email this morning for approval - but nada. I’d printed out the application so checked online as to its status. Both have been approved. But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

Don’t think I’ve ever had an approval email.

 

[serfty]

But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

Somtimes yes, sometimes no.

Last one was back in February - no email but I rechecked 5 minutes later and it had been approved.

 

[Pushka]

Don’t think I’ve ever had an approval email.

I did get one last time as I printed it off yesterday. This was in 2014. I found the ESTA and Canadian Evisas together as the Canada application asked if we’d applied previously and if possible, requested the number. I do see now that the application form doesn’t say an email will be sent so maybe it’s changed. I also didn’t receive an application email and I wonder how many people don’t print off their online application thinking they will receive one.

 

[serfty]

wonder how many people don’t print off their online application thinking they will receive one.

Probably many ... its good you can retrieve it without the application number/code.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

As mentioned, the stickers are relatively recent.

It shows you have been interviewed regarding your reasons for travel to the USA.

You can remove them after travel if you wish.

Had entry and departure in both Oct and Nov and no sticker for me or Mrs Nick so must not apply for all visitors

 

[serfty]

Had entry and departure in both Oct and Nov and no sticker for me or Mrs Nick so must not apply for all visitors

Who were you flying with and fron where?

The interviews happen at your departure port before you board your flight to the USA.

They can be before or after check in but generally you cannot board without a sticker.

In the last 12 months I've had these at MEL (both QF and VA), SYD (QF) & HKG (CX).

 

[RooFlyer]

The interviews happen at your departure port before you board your flight to the USA.

Beat me to it.

But if NFER wasn't interviewed at all, whether or not he got a sticker, it might show that the process is not a go/ no go one OR that is not an impediment to boarding? In that case maybe the questions are flagged to be asked by the immigration officer at the Arrival port?

 

[serfty]

You are not supposed to be able to board without the sticker.

US CBP do not care about the sticker. The first time I had one (QF7) I was told by the interviewer not to remove the sticker until after I had boarded but I was welcome to once seated on the airvraft.

I suspect a process failure.