Do I need a Visa to fly to New York?

[Arraminta]

Flying to New York this week and noticed something about needing a Visa on our tickets? I vaguely remember filling out a Visa actually on the plane when we last visited the USA, but that was years ago?

Is it the same now?

And be very very careful when you are filling it in. My mum ticked the wrong box for the 'are you a nazi' question, her ESTA was refused, she can;t appeal it and the only way she can go to the US is if she goes through the formal visa request process. She wanted to fly to the US to see her sister who is dying so chances are she won't make it in time

It specifies conviction of a crime that caused serious harm or injury to a person, building, or government institution. So a minor drugs offence can be truthfully left out.
They do often cross-check, a friend of mine had someone in his travel party refused entry because he was a member of the Communist Party in the 80s.

Just use the desktop site.

That must have been many years ago - you've needed an ESTA for at least 12.

Thank you. I've just tried that but still no luck. My passport is getting old and have flown 12 times in the last 2 years alone. Can the chip just wear out? Going to try doing it on my laptop now.

A friend of mine has an incredibly common name and always, always gets this. He’s been told that the US no-fly list has very few details on it at first pass, so if you happen to have a name that is also on there (which he does) then they have to do other checks on you to find out if you’re the one they can’t let in. He gets pulled over at the border sometimes too. Obviously he isn’t actually on the list so always gets through eventually but it’s a real pain.

I think if you do it on the desktop site you just have to input your passport details manually.

You need an ESTA, do it online now, normally completed same day.

It still wants you to upload photos of your passport, but they will be just that - photos.

It must be quite new - I don't recall having to give them a copy of my passport when I last went in 2022 (though I think my Esta dated from 2020).

Just do it on the website, I always do, no passport scan required.

What day do you fly? They're usually pretty quick- same day or day after.

You’ll be fine doing it on a laptop. The app is useless. you upload a copy of your passport.

That's interesting. The family member of ours who had this issue also has a really common first and last name.

@thehangrycaterpillar @HarrietBond
My surname isn't that common I don't think.

I remember I had a DBS check about 15 years ago too, and that took a really long time to come back.

I must have an evil name twin who has done horrendous things 😭

I don't know if they still do but they did used to randomly do deeper checks on ESTA applicants to confirm that the system was working as it should.

I recently flew to the US.

when I booked there was a warning about needing an ESTA

when I added my passport details for my flight there was a warning about an ESTA

same when I added a meal request, checked the flights, logged into the app, and finally when I checked in.

how you can miss it I don’t know.

Esta. You only need a visa if not eligible for Esta eg criminal conviction or been to Cuba after January 2021.

🤣Tell Customs that you did that in the 80s so don't see why you have to follow today's immigration rules then.

Have you enabled NFC on your phone? It's not automatically on. Check in settings.

I first went to the US in 1999 when it wasnt required. Went again in 2009 and had no idea they were needed. Had to fill it out on a pc in the airport (with a toddler and v young child!! It was v stressful making sure I was answering correctly!!). Luckily they came straight through. PP saying about them starting in 2009, that sounds about right as I had never heard of them before.

Just applied for ours a couple of months ago for next week. Social media info isn’t mandatory and they came through a few hours later.

Thank you for all the advice. DH and I have applied online and application is Pending.

Both DDs applied via the App and have just been approved, so at least they know they're going!

What a stressful start to the week! Might need to go for a lie down now.

No it's not free - you have to pay!

No, it's not. You don't need to mention any SM accounts on the ESTA form.

It's not mandatory to do SM, it's optional - they're going to know anyway if you've been on X shouting pro-ISIS propaganda for example.

Well done, OP. You found out in time and it's all good. Sure it'll be processed soon.

That must have been a long time ago as you’ve needed an esta for well over a decade (I think I remember 2009 being asked for one, not having one and being waved through with a stern warning that they were now mandatory and I would not get leniency again). I know this as I used to fly to New York several times a year to visit friends.

Thank you. Keeping everything crossed now x