On my way to the U.S.A.

[archangel]

The tickets are booked but what I need to know is do I need and ESTA....?

I am booking this all myself so I can't rely on a travel agent....I contacted the U.S. Embassy but they are very vague.....I did start applying for the ESTA in case but now they are looking for U.S. Address for a point of contact...


ALL HELP APPRECIATED!!!!:banghead:

 

[cambsno]

Yes! You need an esta or visa. Esta is easy to do, fill in some details and just use hotel or where you stay as address. I don't think u get an email confirmation so I did a screen shot just in case.

 

[archangel]

Yes! You need an esta or visa. Esta is easy to do, fill in some details and just use hotel or where you stay as address. I don't think u get an email confirmation so I did a screen shot just in case.

b****r!!!!! I haven't booked a hotel yet as I am using my work to book everything as I get travel at cost price.....Will look for somewhere to stay tonight.....THANKS!!

 

[Mikesphotaes]

The tickets are booked but what I need to know is do I need and ESTA....?

I am booking this all myself so I can't rely on a travel agent....I contacted the U.S. Embassy but they are very vague.....I did start applying for the ESTA in case but now they are looking for U.S. Address for a point of contact...


ALL HELP APPRECIATED!!!!:banghead:

YES!

Just put in your initial hotel.

 

[OldCarlos]

Make sure you get the visa sorted well in advance of travel.

 

[Mikesphotaes]

Probably he won't need a visa, an ESTA can usually be sorted a month or so beforehand.

 

[dejongj]

Hope you don't have any criminal convictions

Then again we can have another no board thread.

 

[archangel]

Hope you don't have any criminal convictions

Then again we can have another no board thread.

I am squeaky clean

 

[OldCarlos]

Probably he won't need a visa, an ESTA can usually be sorted a month or so beforehand.

You're probably correct, but having dual/Irish nationality could potentially throw up issues that may take longer to clear up, as can having a name that is maybe quite common & shared with someone else who may have been refused entry in the past, or has a criminal record.

Should be no problems, but best to sort them as soon as poss.

 

[dejongj]

You're probably correct, but having dual/Irish nationality could potentially throw up issues that may take longer to clear up, as can having a name that is maybe quite common & shared with someone else who may have been refused entry in the past, or has a criminal record.

Should be no problems, but best to sort them as soon as poss.

Won't be a problem if the rest of your details make an exact match. Unless they have the same details and the only difference is your document number. Which I have with someone else. Same name, same nationality, same place of birth, same date of birth

 

[OldCarlos]

Crikey.

 

[viv1969]

Dual British/Irish shouldn't be an issue.
Esta can be sorted up to days before you travel if straightforward.
We do them at work for our docs couriers.

 

[cambsno]

Dual British/Irish shouldn't be an issue.
Esta can be sorted up to days before you travel if straightforward.
We do them at work for our docs couriers.

Personally I would do them as early as possible or before booking - what if there is an issue and its rejected a few day before?

 

[viv1969]

Personally I would do them as early as possible or before booking - what if there is an issue and its rejected a few day before?

Always possible yes, (though never encountered an issue, thankfully) I simply meant it can be sorted at short notice if needs be.
People seem a bit scared of ESTA when there's really no need to be.

 

[Byker28i]

Security at us airports can be fun and long. Apparently if you go via dublin you can do the security checks there and it's faster at the US end? Seems strange but I'm told they have an arrangement.

 

[camerassassin]

It's true - I've done it !

When you disembark in the USA it's as if you were disembarking from an internal flight - i.e. JFK to Orlando.

The Staff at the Dublin end are official USA Immigration folk.

You go through normal Dublin Airport security stuff and once through there are signs directing you to USA Pre-Clearance

 

[Mikesphotaes]

It's true - I've done it !

When you disembark in the USA it's as if you were disembarking from an internal flight - i.e. JFK to Orlando.

The Staff at the Dublin end are official USA Immigration folk.

You go through normal Dublin Airport security stuff and once through there are signs directing you to USA Pre-Clearance

 

[camerassassin]

Folk don't believe me when I say I arrived at Dublin Airport [ I need mobility assistance - can't walk long distances so they provide wheelchair and 'pusher' ] clocked in with OCS folk and was at the Departure Gate 30 mins after arriving at the airport !! Having done it the hard way in the past I'd allowed the usual 1-2 hours for after my arrival in JFK before I'd be ready to leave with my host [ I'd told him when my flight was due in ] Fortunately he was there and waiting for me as he knew I'd be with him very very quickly.

Arrival in JFK - taken direct from Airplane to Luggage Carrousel and was then greeted by my host . Simply fantastic journey

 

[cambsno]

Security at us airports can be fun and long. Apparently if you go via dublin you can do the security checks there and it's faster at the US end? Seems strange but I'm told they have an arrangement.

Florida last year (ok was one of the first off the plane as flew in the upstairs bit of the 747 and they let you off first) - Queued for 5 mins I believe.

 

[stevelmx5]

Definitely get it done as soon as possible. It will last 2 years anyway so no problem doing it earlier. We went to Florida last year and did them with no issues but our neighbours have just had to cancel their trip to Florida for June this year after the dad got rejected. He spent 8 weeks in prison 26 years ago for minor assault so was knocked back. He then went to London to the embassy for a visa interview and was told that he was rejected again after staying overnight and waiting at the embassy for 3 hours so it's not a definite.

 

[skysh4rk]

Definitely get it done as soon as possible. It will last 2 years anyway so no problem doing it earlier. We went to Florida last year and did them with no issues but our neighbours have just had to cancel their trip to Florida for June this year after the dad got rejected. He spent 8 weeks in prison 26 years ago for minor assault so was knocked back. He then went to London to the embassy for a visa interview and was told that he was rejected again after staying overnight and waiting at the embassy for 3 hours so it's not a definite.

If you've ever been arrested, even mistakenly, you may not be eligible to travel to the USA under its visa waiver programme through ESTA. If you've ever been convicted of a crime, you will very likely not be eligible for the VWP—whether or not the conviction is considered spent in the UK—and will need to formally apply to the US Embassy in London for a tourist visa ahead of time.

It should be explicitly noted that ESTA is not a visa, but a sort of data-gathering pre-travel procedure. You can still be denied entry to the United States at the time of travel even if your ESTA was approved beforehand.

 

[stevelmx5]

I fully agree, was just using it as an example to show that even convictions 26 years ago will go against you. To make matters worse, the full visa was also rejected which most will find ridiculous for very old convictions.

 

[Byker28i]

If you've ever been arrested, even mistakenly, you may not be eligible to travel to the USA under its visa waiver programme through ESTA. If you've ever been convicted of a crime, you will very likely not be eligible for the VWP—whether or not the conviction is considered spent in the UK—and will need to formally apply to the US Embassy in London for a tourist visa ahead of time.

It should be explicitly noted that ESTA is not a visa, but a sort of data-gathering pre-travel procedure. You can still be denied entry to the United States at the time of travel even if your ESTA was approved beforehand.

As some found out recently in the news. Had valid ESTA, not allowed to board the plane at the airport.

 

[StewartR]

Won't be a problem if the rest of your details make an exact match. Unless they have the same details and the only difference is your document number. Which I have with someone else. Same name, same nationality, same place of birth, same date of birth

That happened to a friend of mine. Unfortunately the other bloke with the same name is a career criminal. Caused no amount of problems.

 

[dejongj]

As some found out recently in the news. Had valid ESTA, not allowed to board the plane at the airport.

Yes indeed Mohammed, his brother and seven children, who went public about the the silly fool. And publically supported by the labour MP who should have known better and just checked the facts before going on some it's because they are Muslim rant. They were Muslims indeed but the point was that they also had criminal convictions, and not only that their plans changed last minute with the women no longer joining them but went to Saudi instead. The U.K. operates a very similar scheme been doing that successfully for years. The rest of the EU is progressing that as well now and have changed legislation to allow to go much further in their research.

 

[jakeblu]

Hope you don't have any criminal convictions

Then again we can have another no board thread.

Now that would be a thread where I would drop my self imposed moratorium on for the hot topic section.

 

[Nod]

How come so many people with drug convictions get allowed into the USA?

 

[cambsno]

How come so many people with drug convictions get allowed into the USA?

Iirc I don't think the esta programme actually checks criminal records in the uk so if you did not declare something you should pass. Of course, if you lie and get rejected it probably makes it even harder.

 

[Nod]

I was more referring to high profile convictions. Or does money talk?

 

[dejongj]

How come so many people with drug convictions get allowed into the USA?

I was more referring to high profile convictions. Or does money talk?

I'm no expert on the US system, but I think that you can apply for a 'waiver of ineligibility'. Depending on what you've done and what the current situation is that could overrule a previous decision. Not a quick process, and may involve some heavy doctor bills for screening in the case of drugs. If you so desire you could describe that as money talks based on affordability grounds as otherwise it may just not be worth the investment.

Key is, and I can't stress this enough as well with UK based checked; be honest. Disclose everything, yes you are their mercy but if you don't disclose you will come across as untrustworthy...

 

[Nod]

Pretty sure that Keith Richards, Paul McCartney et al. were still using their "recreational pharmaceuticals" while travelling back and forth...

 

[dejongj]

Pretty sure that Keith Richards, Paul McCartney et al. were still using their "recreational pharmaceuticals" while travelling back and forth...

Then yes, today?

 

[wave01]

You need an esta cost 14$ it lasts two years and you need it before you fly. A visa will take longer to get and unless you want to stay longer than three months then you don't need one

 

[skysh4rk]

How come so many people with drug convictions get allowed into the USA?

You aren't banned from the USA if you have convictions, you're just not eligible to travel under the terms of the visa waiver programme. You can still apply for and be granted entry through the traditional visa system.

Pretty sure that Keith Richards, Paul McCartney et al. were still using their "recreational pharmaceuticals" while travelling back and forth...

They would likely not have been travelling under the visa waiver programme though, as I imagine they were working and/or living in the USA at the time, and would have had an appropriate visa or residence permit.

You are forbidden to work while travelling under the VWP.