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ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

ESTA - Electronic System for Travel AuthorisationVisitors to the USA who are traveling under the Visa Waiver Program will be required to complete an online registration called ESTA before they travel. This is mandatory for all qualified Visa Waiver travelers from 12th Jan 2009.

ESTA only authorises a traveler to board an air or sea carrier for travel to the United States. It also does not guarantee entry into the United States; that decision rests with the immigration official at the Port of Entry in the same way that travelers currently entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program or with a visa are subject to inspection.

Key Points:

• All passengers must complete the forms.
• If you require a new Passports you must receive the new Passports BEFORE applying for ESTA.
• Infants must also have the ESTA Forms completed.
• ESTA applications are FREE (beware of sites that want to charge you for this service)
• You must be eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program
Make your ESTA application HERE


When to apply?

The online version is available for use now and should be completed at least 72 hours before departure – applications can be made after that but they run the risk that approval may not be received ahead of travel.

What happens to ESTA applications?

Once the online application has been completed and, assuming it is satisfactory, the system will normally respond with an approval very quickly. Travelers should make a note of the ESTA approval number in case they need to access their application later – such as to register a change of name or marital status. Some applications may take up to 72 hours to approve whilst data is checked. Currently there is no charge for an ESTA application and no more information is sought than has been required under the I-94W system.

Who can complete ESTA?

Each family member traveling is required to complete an ESTA application and third party entry of data into ESTA is permitted – whether a relative or not. However the third party must be completely certain as to the accuracy of such entries. Any inaccuracies will be taken up with the applicant - NOT the third party and the applicant remain totally responsible for their own records.

APIS and ESTA?

Travelers who have been to the USA before, will know that additional information, called APIS, is already required relating to the traveler’s journey. As ESTA & APIS data cover two different requirements, both systems have to run independently. At some point the two may be merged so that duplicate information does not have to be provided but currently there is no planned date for such a change.

Repeat Visits?

Updating ESTA data for repeat visits within the 2 year ESTA duration is recommended but is not mandatory. I.e. Upon entry into the USA, the Customs and Border Protection Officer will also have the traveler’s APIS data on screen at the same time as the ESTA data and this may lead to a query why the two sets of data do not match. Updating ESTA with new arrival and 1st night’s stay data will save time at the point of entry as it will mean fewer questions.

Don’t know the US destination address or flight details yet?

ESTA applications can still be made without a full address and flights. In the short term flight details are not required and a generic address only will suffice. E.g. City and State. Applicants should register full address & flight details once known.

Information needed to complete the application?

Applicant Information

Field

Description

Birth Date, Day

Choose the day on which you were born. The day of birth is required to complete the application or to check the status of your application.

Birth Date, Month

Choose the month in which you were born. The month of birth is required to complete the application or to check the status of your application.

Birth Date, Year

Choose the year in which you were born. The year of birth is required to complete the application or to check the status of your application.

Country of Citizenship

Choose the country of citizenship, as it appears on your passport. The country of citizenship is required to complete the application.

Country Where You Live

Choose the country in which you reside. The country where you live is required to complete the application.

E-mail Address

Enter the e-mail address at which you can be contacted. The e-mail address is optional to complete the application.

Family Name

Enter your family name as the family name appears on your passport under the Family Name or Surname field. The family name is required to complete the application.

First (Given) Name

Enter your first (given) name as the first name appears on your passport under the First or Given Name field. Do not include the middle name in this field. First name is required to complete the application. If you do not have a first name, then enter the letters FNU which stands for First Name Unknown.

Sex

Choose your gender, either male or female. The sex (gender) is required to complete the application.

Telephone Number, Country Code

Choose the country code of the telephone number where you can be contacted. The country code and telephone number are optional to complete the application.

Telephone Number

Enter the telephone number where you can be contacted. The telephone number is optional to complete the application.

Passport Information

Field

Description

Passport Expiration Date, Day

Choose the day on which your passport expires, as it appears on your passport under the Expiration Date or Extension field. The day on which the passport expires is required to complete the application.

Passport Expiration Date, Month

Choose the month in which your passport expires, as it appears on your passport under the Expiration Date or Extension field. The month in which the passport expires is required to complete the application.

Passport Expiration Date, Year

Choose the year in which your passport expires, as it appears on your passport under the Expiration Date or Extension field. The year in which the passport expires is required to complete the application.

Passport Issuance Date, Day

Choose the day on which your passport was issued, as it appears on your passport under the Date of Issue field. The day on which the passport was issued is required to complete the application.

Passport Issuance Date, Month

Choose the month in which your passport was issued, as it appears on your passport under the Date of Issue field. The month in which the passport was issued is required to complete the application.

Passport Issuance Date, Year

Choose the year in which your passport was issued, as it appears on your passport under the Date of Issue field. The year in which the passport was issued is required to complete the application.

Passport Issuing Country

Choose the country that issued your passport. The passport issuing country is required to complete the application.

Passport Number

Enter your passport number as it appears on your passport. The passport number is required to complete the application or to check the status of your application.

Travel Information

Field

Description

Airline, Carrier Code

Choose the carrier code for the airline on which you will be traveling to the United States, if your travel information is available. The carrier code is a two-character code assigned to each airline. The carrier code is optional to complete the application.

Airline, Flight Number

Enter the flight number for the airline on which you will be traveling to the United States, if your travel information is available. The flight number is optional to complete the application.

City Where You are Boarding

Enter the last city where you will board an aircraft prior to arriving in the United States on this trip. The city where the applicant will board is optional to complete the application.

Address While In the United States Information

Field

Description

Address Line 1

Enter the number and street of the location where you will stay while in the United States. Do not include the city and state in this field. Address Line 1 is optional to complete the application.

  • If multiple locations are planned, enter the first address.

  • If the complete address is not known, enter the name of the hotel or location you will visit. You may update this information once confirmed.

  • If you are leaving the United States immediately and do not have an address, enter the words ”In Transit” and your final destination location.

Address Line 2

Enter apartment, suite, unit, floor, building, or other, if appropriate. Do not include the city and state in this field. Address line 2 is optional to complete the application.

City

Enter the city of the address where you will stay while in the United States. The city is optional to complete the application.

State

Enter the state of the address where you will stay while in the United States. The state is optional to complete the application.

"Do any of the following apply to you?" questions where the meanings are less clear:

Question

Help

A) Do you have a communicable disease; physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?

Communicable Diseases

Under United States law communicable diseases of public health significance include:

  • Chancroid

  • Gonorrhea

  • Granuloma inguinale

  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

  • Leprosy, infectious

  • Lymphogranuloma venereum

  • Syphilis, infectious stage

  • Tuberculosis, active

  • And others as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.    

Physical or Mental Disorders

With regard to physical or mental disorders, answer ”Yes” to this question if:

(a) You currently have a physical or mental disorder and a history of behaviour associated with the disorder that may pose or has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others; or

(b) You had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behaviour associated with the disorder that has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others and the behaviour is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behaviour

Answer ”No” if:

(a) You currently have no physical or mental disorders; or

(b) You have or had a physical or mental disorder without associated behaviour that may pose or has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare of that of others; or

(c) You currently have a physical or mental disorder with associated behaviour, but that behaviour has not posed, does not currently pose nor will pose a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others; or

(d) You had a physical or mental disorder with associated behaviour that posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others, but that behaviour is unlikely to recur.

Drug Abusers and Drug Addicts

Under United States law persons may not be admissible if they have been determined to be a drug abuser or drug addict.

For further information refer to § 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(1)(A), and corresponding regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.

 

B) Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance; or been arrested or convicted for two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentence to confinement was five years or more; or been a controlled substance trafficker; or are you seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities?

 

Crimes involving moral turpitude - Such offenses generally involve conduct which is inherently base, vile, or depraved and contrary to the accepted rules of morality and the duties owed to persons or society in general. There are factors, such as the age of the offender or the date of the offense, that may affect whether an offense will be considered a crime involving moral turpitude for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act.  

For further information refer to § 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2), § 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43) and corresponding regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.

D) Are you seeking to work in the U.S.; or have you ever been excluded and deported; or been previously removed from the United States; or procured or attempted to procure a visa or entry into the U.S. by fraud or misrepresentation?

 

Individuals entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are admitted as non-immigrant alien visitors and may not seek employment in the United States. While Visa Waiver Program travelers may not seek employment in the United States, there are many classifications of non-immigrant and immigrant employment-sponsored visas for those who qualify.

For further information refer to § 212(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(5).  

For further information on non-immigrant and immigrant employment visas, refer to www.travel.state.gov.

E) Have you ever detained, retained, or withheld custody of a child from a U.S. citizen granted custody of the child?

Any alien who, after entry of an order by a court in the United States granting custody to a person of a United States citizen child who detains or retains the child, or withholds custody of the child, outside the United States from the person granted custody by that order, is inadmissible until the child is surrendered to the person granted custody by that order.

For further information refer to § 212(a)(10)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(10)(C).

G) Have you ever asserted immunity from prosecution?

 

With regard to immunity from prosecution, answer ”Yes” to this question if all of the following apply:

(a) you have committed a serious criminal offense in the United States as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(h), including any felony, at any time for which immunity from criminal jurisdiction was exercised; and

(b) as a consequence of the offense and exercise of immunity identified in (a), you have departed from the United States; and

(c) you have not subsequently submitted fully to the jurisdiction of the court in the United States having jurisdiction with respect to that offense.

For further information refer to § 212(a)(2)(E) and 101(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(E) and 1101(h).


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