ESTAs

[HenrysDad]

Originally Posted by scooby99

Sit down before you start looking at car hire prices!

See more...

They were ridiculous a month or so back, but seem to have dropped significantly from MCO in past few weeks.

I guess the hire companies are building the fleets back up.

Avoid points are treating us to a standard SUV, but the cash price was reasonable (relatively).

[TractorBoy]

Did I read somewhere that when filling in a new application that the photo off your passport is required and downloaded onto the form.

[mick]

Originally Posted by TractorBoy

Did I read somewhere that when filling in a new application that the photo off your passport is required and downloaded onto the form.

See more...

John

I remember as far back as 2016 (maybe even earlier ) you could scan your passport into the ESTA form but there was always the alternative option to enter the details manually.

You still have that option.

Mick

[TractorBoy]

Originally Posted by mick

John

I remember as far back as 2016 (maybe even earlier ) you could scan your passport into the ESTA form but there was always the alternative option to enter the details manually.

You still have that option.

Mick

See more...

Mick, thank you very much for your help,

[mick]

Originally Posted by TractorBoy

Mick, thank you very much for your help,

See more...

John

I clearly remember "back in the day" people posting on here that they'd struggled for over an hour to scan their passports in. Takes me about 5 minutes to enter manually.

Mick

[HenrysDad]

I just entered all information manually, didn’t take too long to do all 3 of ours. 😊

[FeFe]

we did all 5 of ours on Saturday night and they were back within 45mins. we got an email to say there had been a status change and all checked lol
found it easier than before for some reason. Uploaded a photo of all our passports and the info was copied over.

[discodunn0]

We are due to go on 1 July (3rd time lucky! ), when would you recommend doing our ESTAs? Xx

[mick]

Originally Posted by discodunn0

We are due to go on 1 July (3rd time lucky! ), when would you recommend doing our ESTAs? Xx

See more...

This is a personal opinion only but one I’ve posted many times since ESTAs were made compulsory in January 2009. Others may have a totally opposite but just as valid opinion.

Having read maybe 90% of ESTA threads since they were made compulsory I'd say the consensus of the majority of DIBB opinions is to do them 6 months out and/or before you commit any serious non-refundable money to a holiday.

The chances of a rejection are extremely small but over the years there have been enough reported on the DIBB. About 5 years ago there was a major software failure at SFB which recorded hundreds of passengers as overstayers and their subsequent ESTA applications were refused. More common reason for refusal though is carelessness - answering an obvious NO question as YES. The "6 months" suggestion is just to allow time to get a visa should the very slight risk of refusal occur.

The other reason to do them before financial commitment is that if you are refused your insurance won't reimburse you if you can't travel because of no ESTA.

I think most Dibbers see the $14 investment as something that's best sorted as another box ticked compared with the overall cost of a holiday. We don’t subscribe to the view that if I do them late enough I might squeeze another holiday out of my $14 investment.

For what it’s worth can I also suggest doing them on the largest screen possible - we use a desktop with a large monitor. We both sit side by side and both read the question. One of us enters the data and the other checks it. You have two options to check that you’ve answered “NO” to an obvious question – triple check it. There’s no trick questions and they don’t want to keep bona fide visitors out. Don’t stress and take your time.

We’ve had live and valid ESTAs since they were introduced – maybe 7 or 8 each so the above is simply my opinion.

Mick

[discodunn0]

Thanks Mick, my daughters new passport has despatched so I'll get them done as soon as that arrives. You are right, peace of mind for the sake of $14 x