ESTA FOR TRAVEL TO THE STATES, ANYONE APPLIED?

[hifi]

i have looked on line and it says its not essential for uk citizens but recommended. would you do it? its $49.00.

it wasnt an official site i looked at. it is mandatory and no charge, 72 hours before you go.
here

What website did you look at exactly?. $49?!.

It certainly sounds like you did not look at the official web page for ESTA which is detailed below

esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Applying for ESTA is free!. Many airlines who fly to the US now carry details of ESTA on their websites (Virgin Atlantic and BA to name but two).

ESTA is required for ALL UK citizens (and citizens of European countries) to travel to the US. It commences on January 12th and the permissioning is valid for 2 years (they won't also remind you when that 2 years is up; it is up to you to remember when you originally applied).

ESTA needs to be applied for at least 3 days before departure.

Do not imput ANY personal details onto any unofficial websites. Sounds like another form of phishing.

i looked at the first one listed, must be set up like the american green card lottery site.

The official ESTA website does not charge.

we did it sat for 3 of us, no charge, check you have the correct site. it confirms approval instantly. we went through the virgin website via the my booking page.

We have done it ready for going to New York at the end of the month and it was free. I am sure it is compulsary. We got the link through our flight company.

It took about 5 minutes per person and authorisation came through immediately.

This is the link we used, sent to us via our Virgin Atlantic email confirmation

Does anyone know if you have to do this for every trip? We fly to New York in May and then Florida in July. I am assuming we have to do it again for Florida - is that right?

Hi Hulababy

No, the ESTA is valid for two years from the date it is issued. They don't remind you though when the ESTA is up; you have to remember that particular date and reapply before that time two years hence.

It is likely as well that the visa waiver forms will also have to be completed before landing into the US as not all airlines have the ESTA software. Visa waiver forms have to be completed for each entry into the USA.

Ah right. So, we don't have to redo it for August then? Do we have to go and edit it or something to change the address we are staying at for the second trip?

We did it for Florida in April - def no charge.

Will watch with interest Hula - I am maybe off to NY in Nov and hadn't thought about the ESTA thingie. I did change the address on ours for Florida as we changed hotels. It was straightforward.