ESTA for the USA

[Vipers]

Googling for a site to get my ESTA form for the states, so many sites, and vastly different prices, anyone found a reasonable priced one.

Bit dubious as well as to whether some of the sites are genuine.

[knk]

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

[MrP80]

Just use the official one:

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

[Vipers]

Thanks guys, looks like the one to use, from what I can make out its $14 each, also clearly explains why some do charge a lot more.

Just reiterates, if you want to find out something, just go to PH's.

[Puggit]

Anything but the official site is effectively a scam. It's very easy to do.

[Vipers]

Done and dusted, $14 each, tks guys.

[durbster]

Yep, did that last year and was very surprised to find an approval email about ten minutes later.

I don't have a beard though, I suspect that helps.

[Deva Link]

durbster said:

Yep, did that last year and was very surprised to find an approval email about ten minutes later.

It's normally instant.

[Vipers]

Btw, how long is it valid for?

[LHRFlightman]

2 years.

[Vipers]

LHRFlightman said:

2 years.

Tks.

[acer12]

Common mistake is that people reuse an old (but still valid) esta without updating your travel details. You are supposed to edit your original esta and update for new flight details and hotel

[Perec]

acer12 said:

Common mistake is that people reuse an old (but still valid) esta without updating your travel details. You are supposed to edit your original esta and update for new flight details and hotel

Watch out if you update a passport too. One of our party renewed a passport and the passport number changed, making the ESTA incorrect. This was not spotted until we were checking in, and it resulted in a frantic Internet cafe stint to update the ESTA (another charge) in order to catch the flight.

[Deva Link]

acer12 said:

Common mistake is that people reuse an old (but still valid) esta without updating your travel details. You are supposed to edit your original esta and update for new flight details and hotel

You don't have to put travel details in at all, so you're not required to update them, although you can if you want to - it'll help to find you in the event of an emergency at home.

[Vipers]

Deva Link said:

You don't have to put travel details in at all, so you're not required to update them, although you can if you want to - it'll help to find you in the event of an emergency at home.

Done mine two days ago, had to put in the airline Carrier ie BA and flight number?

Or did I miss something.

[Deva Link]

Vipers said:

Done mine two days ago, had to put in the airline Carrier ie BA and flight number?

Or did I miss something.

When you say "had to" - would the form not submit unless you completed those fields? I think you'll find you can leave them blank.

The thing is, you're supposed to apply for an ESTA before you make travel arrangements - you'd be a bit stuffed if you booked the holiday of a lifetime for the whole family at WDW and then your ESTA bounced.


ETA See: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1219/... - says you can leave it blank.

Although, to be fair, and as always seems to be the case with anything to do with this stuff, there is contradictory information which says you should include your approximate destination.

Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 14th April 12:05

[Vipers]

Deva Link said:

When you say "had to" - would the form not submit unless you completed those fields? I think you'll find you can leave them blank.

The thing is, you're supposed to apply for an ESTA before you make travel arrangements - you'd be a bit stuffed if you booked the holiday of a lifetime for the whole family at WDW and then your ESTA bounced.


ETA See: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1219/... - says you can leave it blank.

Although, to be fair, and as always seems to be the case with anything to do with this stuff, there is contradictory information which says you should include your approximate destination.

Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 14th April 12:05

You could be right, just filled in all fields.

[Darren390]

LHRFlightman said:

2 years.

Are you sure its 2 years? I have just had an email from them telling me my ESTA is due to run out in 30 days, I only did it last year!!

[uuf361]

Darren390 said:

Are you sure its 2 years? I have just had an email from them telling me my ESTA is due to run out in 30 days, I only did it last year!!

Used to be 2 years - in fact I renewed mine not long ago and it has an expiration date in 2015 so looks like it's 2 years.

Never updated the details on the ESTA when making subsequent trips (and make about 5 a year) and never had any problems.

[GCH]

acer12 said:

Common mistake is that people reuse an old (but still valid) esta without updating your travel details. You are supposed to edit your original esta and update for new flight details and hotel

Incorrect.
Those questions on the esta are optional, and do not require either completing or updating.
That info comes from your API.

Once approved, the ESTA is valid for 2years, or until a passport change or a change in your circumstances meaning you no longer qualify for visa waiver travel.