USA... online application for travel

[LDN]

A friend says I have to fill out this before I can fly to the USA:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecu...

Is that right? The website looks very poor and while filling in personal details, I don't see a lock anywhere :/ Almost looks fake...

[Puggit]

Yes, it is real!

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/esta...

[fadeaway]

That link is correct, and yes, the page does look very poor.

Be very careful if you ever google for that page, as most of the results are to dodgy web sites which apply for you and charge you for it!

[COLONEL_SMITH]

yes you have to fill that in if you don't they will not let you in.. It is pretty simple to fill in and you get accepted straight away unless you are a terrorist. Make a note of your ref number when you are approved as it says you need to have this with you but I was not asked for it when I was in the Usa last month. You will still have to fill in a form on the plane aswell and possibly another one for the airline.

[LDN]

Thanks guys

[cjs]

In fact they will stop you at check-in in the UK if you do not have one already in place, it is all tied up to your passport and flags up on the system. I was flying with a friend who needed to do it online at Heathrow before they would let him check in, luckily we had a laptop and 3G dongle!

Edited by cjs on Saturday 17th July 10:46

[Benzman]

If you don't do it, you won't get much further than the check-in desk at the airport.