Anyone know anything about ESTA forms for USA?

[mrsbadonkadonk]

Hopefully someone does! We are going to the USA in the Summer. Last year we also went there and filled in the ESTA forms on line. Now do we need to do them again for this trip or do they last for 2 years as someone has told me?

Anyone?

Would it hurt to do them again just in case? Make sure you go to the esta form directly because there are a good few con sites out there trying to charge people money to fill them in.

Yeah I was starting to think along those lines of re doing them as I suppose its better to be safe than sorry, but its a PITA to do them when there are 5 of us travelling.

I would recomplete the ESTA online for your forthcoming trip.

Only use the official US govt website and NO OTHER. The one to use is this one:-

esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Just remember to click the 'no' box when they ask you if your children have ever partaken in any terrorist activity. Unless of course the correct answer is 'yes'

Do these forms have to be filled in on line before travel?

Haven't heard of them, but am off on holiday to the USA in a few weeks time.

Sorry to just but in

You will need them ElizabethWakefield....print them off on line. Make sure you go to the official site which is free. Some people have been caught out paying for the service.

Haha Cogitoergosum, I might have to think how I answer that question!

Yes Elizabeth these forms have to be done prior to travel.

Elizabeth, I think it's compulsory to fill them out now, you run the risk of being turned away at your destination if you don't. Having said that, we also had to fill in paper forms on the plane, a year ago.

Are these the same forms that I have in the past filled in on the plane? Or is this a new thing?

Gaaah, another thing to do! I'll let everyone in our party know. Thanks!

Sorry post crossed, I see that it is probably the same thing. Thanks!

I think you have to still do them on the plane as well as on line which is crazy and an even bigger PITA especially when you have whinging kids killing your concentration on the plane.Oh, and one mistake on the stupid forms and you're sent to the back of the queue at immigration! Good job the USA is worth it once you get through all the hassles eh.

It's another thing, pretty much the same as the things you fill in on the plane, but has to be done before you travel. Use the link that Attila gave to avoid being charged for what is a free service.

Also, I don't know if it's nationwide in the states, but I was fingerprinted and iris scanned at Kennedy airport.

All in the name of 'security'

DP and I flew to LA in Feb and had no idea about these ESTA forms, luckily we arrived at the airport and managed to do them at a pay computer in a coffee shop there, took about 5-10 minutes.
We were lucky though and were approved online straight away but apparently this isn't always the case. So you definitely need to do it in advance and it is free, the link above is correct. Have a look, I can't remember whether they said it was valid for a year or two.

Have a lovely family holiday mrs Badonkadonk

Yep, I had the fingerprint and iris scan at Orlando. I imagine its nationwide.

Thank you LucyPeanut.(smile)

They last two years. No need to redo them. Just go back on the site, enter your details and the forms come up filled in. You can then change your destination and flight details. Quicker than redoing them.

Hulababy, I didn't keep the details from last year unfortunately, and would probably need an application number? So my safest bet would be to re do I think.

ESTA forms became mandatory to complete from January of this year. No completed online ESTA form prior to travel for all in your party = no travel to the US!.

Please only use the website I gave earlier; this is the official US govt one. ESTA is free to use.

All adults get fingerprinted and photographed on arrival at immigration at all US airports. The green visa waiver forms still have to be completed as well prior to arrival into the US (this is because not all airlines have the technology required to enable the green forms to be scrapped).

You do not need to show the immigration officer a printed ESTA form as this will show up on their computer system but it is always a good idea to keep a hard copy for your own self.

Yes, of no app number you'll need to redo them. I had to for one of ours.

Thanks for the replies, I will get on and re do them.

We flew to Philiadelphia earlier this month and had filled out the ESTA forms online. We did not have to complete a green form though (first time I havent had to) - we were told on the plane that anyone flying to the US from Manchester did not need to complete one. I was a bit doubtful but it was true - when we got to Philly the officials put everyone arriving from Manchester through a different line to other flights. Very easy entry to the US this time I have to say! And all the immigration officials in Philly were very friendly and relaxed.