Entry to the USA

[Screenwash]

Transiting through San Francisco in a couple of weeks time. Just applied for the ESTA online and see that it doesn’t ask for any flight arrival info? I’m sure that it used to? (Last applied around 2017).

Bit of a faff having to upload a selfie now too?

Are there still paper landing cards to fill in too, despite all of the details in the ESTA application?

US$40!!! It’s doubled in price since last time!

[Alex Z]

Did you have to provide details of social media accounts for loyalty screening?

[nvubu]

Screenwash said:

Transiting through San Francisco in a couple of weeks time. Just applied for the ESTA online and see that it doesn t ask for any flight arrival info? I m sure that it used to? (Last applied around 2017).

Bit of a faff having to upload a selfie now too?

Are there still paper landing cards to fill in too, despite all of the details in the ESTA application?

US$40!!! It s doubled in price since last time!

There's something electronic you need to fill in extra with the arrival details and where you are staying the first night - I've had to do this the 4 times I've visited in the last 2 years. It think that it is on the form you need to complete when flying out of the UK - so separate from the ESTA. On arrival fingerprints and photo (although I had them taken, my wife didn't last time).

For all of ours they have taken 2-3 hours to be granted, but they can take a few weeks. I watched a YouTube video of someone who applied with 3 weeks to their trip and tried to lie their way through the US border at Niagara Falls as they hadn't received it by the time of travel. It was quite funny how entitled they came across as. Their ESTA came through when they were back in the UK.

I've provided details of SM accounts for our applications.

[Starfighter]

They can be through in around 1/2 hour. That is a very long time when sitting in the floor at Heathrow!

There is an option to update your details and add flights etc. but they do the cross reference based on the passport details on the ESTA and the flight booking.

[paulguitar]

I'd suggest doing the ESTA a couple of weeks ahead of time, just in case there are any delays.

I've just renewed mine. It always takes a day or so for me, rather than instant, probably because I also have a visa.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Download the MPC app to get into a much shorter immigration queue in SF. Once it's downloaded, complete it whilst you're on the plane. Confirm you've landed once you get internet in the USA, probably whilst taxi-ing. You then have 4 hours to use the MPC lane.

[Composite Guru]

Alex Z said:

Did you have to provide details of social media accounts for loyalty screening?

I know someone that said they didn’t have a social media account so never checked it.

Tbh I have absolutely no intention of going to the US whilst that clown is in charge.

[Tarby]

Composite Guru said:

I know someone that said they didn t have a social media account so never checked it.

Tbh I have absolutely no intention of going to the US whilst that clown is in charge.

You seem to get a lot of lefties on here saying that when the actual impact on trips is unnoticeable. US is a great country and there are of course blue and red states but outside of elections you’d barely know it.

[Hill92]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Download the MPC app to get into a much shorter immigration queue in SF. Once it's downloaded, complete it whilst you're on the plane. Confirm you've landed once you get internet in the USA, probably whilst taxi-ing. You then have 4 hours to use the MPC lane.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/mobile-passport-control-m...

[paulguitar]

Tarby said:

You seem to get a lot of lefties on here saying that when the actual impact on trips is unnoticeable. US is a great country and there are of course blue and red states but outside of elections you d barely know it.

It's not 'lefties'. There are hardly any of those on PH.

[Tarby]

paulguitar said:

It's not 'lefties'. There are hardly any of those on PH.

there appear to be loads on this forum, even discounting np&e which I stay out of. Perhaps you prefer the term TDS afflicted?

Either way no reason not to travel.

[paulguitar]

Tarby said:

paulguitar said:

It's not 'lefties'. There are hardly any of those on PH.

there appear to be loads on this forum, even discounting np&e which I stay out of. Perhaps you prefer the term TDS afflicted?

Either way no reason not to travel.

Having concerns about the situation in the US isn't about 'left' or 'right' for most people. It is way, way beyond pretty entrenched political positions. I have a vote in the UK, and it has been conservative for my whole life. That doesn't even remotely affect my awareness of the seriousness of the corruption and amorality stateside.

As to 'TDS', that is a declaration of complete intellectual bankruptcy. It means the person typing it has nothing.

[RDMcG]

The MPC download to your phone is well
Done -I use it frequently.

[paulguitar]

RDMcG said:

The MPC download to your phone is well
Done -I use it frequently.

I have tried and failed with that twice now. It just hasn't worked in the terminal.


That said, largely I am now usually flying via Dublin and doing US immigration there. It's all far more relaxed, and then you arrive in the US as a domestic passenger and just walk right out to a taxi.

[Slow.Patrol]

Flew into LAX a few weeks ago.

We did the ESTA online, downloaded to our phones. No social media info needed.

We were asked at border control for the address of our first hotel and how much we had in cash and if we had credit cards.

Fingerprints taken for one person only.

It appears that one of our party has the same name as a known criminal as they were targeted at every control point, in and out of the UK and the US.

[LRDefender]

Screenwash said:

Transiting through San Francisco in a couple of weeks time. Just applied for the ESTA online and see that it doesn t ask for any flight arrival info? I m sure that it used to? (Last applied around 2017).

Bit of a faff having to upload a selfie now too?

Are there still paper landing cards to fill in too, despite all of the details in the ESTA application?

US$40!!! It s doubled in price since last time!

I usually fly into JFK and I don't recall having to fill in a paper landing card, although I haven't been to the U.S. this year.

I have a U.S. N.G.O. sort my ESTA out and since this has been happening entry to the US for me has been completely stress free and very quick. Having a NGO involved might explain why I get a police escort through JFK too.

[75Black]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Download the MPC app to get into a much shorter immigration queue in SF. Once it's downloaded, complete it whilst you're on the plane. Confirm you've landed once you get internet in the USA, probably whilst taxi-ing. You then have 4 hours to use the MPC lane.

Made the mistake of forgetting about the MPC app when flying with my dad into JFK in November and then seeing the empty MPC line as we waited in the normal queue for an hour. Definitely gonna use it at Tampa in September though!

[mattyn1]

Our trip into JFK we found we were unable to connect to the MPC app… annoyingly! Long queue then… about an hour but that gave time for baggage to arrive and be ready to collect!

Quizzed a lot in JFK… he asked for additional ID and on showing my RN ID card, we were then sent through on our way!

[75Black]

mattyn1 said:

Our trip into JFK we found we were unable to connect to the MPC app annoyingly! Long queue then about an hour but that gave time for baggage to arrive and be ready to collect!

Quizzed a lot in JFK he asked for additional ID and on showing my RN ID card, we were then sent through on our way!

I found in JFK the border agents seem to hate their jobs. A few desks open, they quiz every person for about 10 minutes, then after they've processed 3 people they'll close their desk because they've done too much work and the assistants around the queues funnel everyone to a different desk, rinse and repeat. In Tampa, I get asked about 3 questions then it's - "oh you're here for the Tampa Bay Bucs game again? On you go!" and I'm through in 2 minutes.

[mattyn1]

We happened to see a couple of people carted away, which was rather unnerving!!