Readers' questions on the new ESTA rules
KEY POINTS:
On reading your article I thought I would apply, so Googled ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and got onto a website that was going to charge US$49.99 ($94) each for doing this. It looked
legitimate. However my travel agent gave me the proper link which was free.
I wonder if any readers have got caught out and have paid inadvertently? This website was easy to manoeuvre and was all done for us. Maxilyn Tudman
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not charge Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) travellers a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or complete an ESTA travel authorisation.
Unauthorised third parties have set up websites which charge visitors for information about ESTA and for submitting ESTA applications to DHS on behalf of travellers. These businesses and websites are not associated with the US Government and use of such private services to apply for travel authorisation via ESTA will not speed up the granting of approval. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the US under the VWP should apply for travel authorisation via the official secure ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
I am travelling to Vancouver next year. While there, it is most likely we will take a day trip into the States by car. What is our position with regard to an ESTA? Name supplied
ESTA will only be required for visitors travelling under the VWP to the United States via air or sea carriers.
Travellers applying for admission to the United States under the VWP at land border ports of entry will continue to be processed as before by filling out the I-94W card at the port of entry at the border. However, all travellers thinking of visiting the United States are recommended to go ahead and get an ESTA approval. It's valid for two years, so if you decide to fly to the US at some point before, during or after your stay in Canada, you will already have your travel authorisation in place.
When completing the ESTA form you are asked where you will be staying whilst in the US. As there is only one address line in which to enter information, where do you enter the other addresses if you travel to four different destinations in America? Linda Wade
You should enter your initial intended destination address. VWP travellers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for an ESTA.
If a traveller's destination address in the US is unknown when he or she completes the ESTA application, they should enter the name of the hotel or approximate location they intend to visit.
Travellers may update this information when their plans are finalised, but they will not be required to update their destination addresses or itineraries should they change after their ESTA has been approved.
You did not say what a person receives once an application is approved. Is it a document? If so, is it passport size? What does it look like? Robin McGrath
The final screen of the ESTA system will give you a unique application number, which you will need if you later want to check on your ESTA status or update your record. When your application is approved, an authorisation approved notice appears on the screen, which also shows your application number and the date your authorisation expires.
We recommend you print this page for your records.
Some questions required further information and the US Embassy will be
responding to those involved directly.