ESTA, US clarifies given name requirement

[Thorpy]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Likely the DHS/CBP will advise release date for implimentation of travel document match. My personal view, why I refer to 'ruling'; based on discovering ESTA/pp name match exists but, apparently, is currently not enforced, could signify any further ruling is unnecessary. Perhaps it's simply (I know, nothing is simple!) a case of the US now planning to enforce... only they know.



Hiya Lisa... some, who didn't complete full given names/load their UK pp onto the ESTA site, are confused as to why ESTA was approved post update. Apparently this is due to the US being unaware of traveller's given names until check-in/pp swipe.

Good news re sisters ESTA

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First part, I'd totally agree, either of the 2 legislations I quoted earlier probably give the authority to collect such information in that manner, as has been said it's a case of when they decide to enforce a matching for approval standard.

The second point is somewhat interesting, because if the US only know your name when they swipe your passport, and approve without this information, then the inference is that they either don't check with UK that the name and number match, or maybe the UK only release the first name, so it matches.

[Mexy02]

Originally Posted by kipperphill

I completed our ESTAs recently and I would say it isn't clear at all. "First (Given) Name" and saying to add as per passport says to me that you add just your first given name (spelled as per the passport).

All ESTAs authorised but I didn't add middle names. Surely they will process at immigration based on the passport numbers and everything else!

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It says information should be entered exactly as on the passport , so if your middle name is on your passport you enter it on your esta.
Under your forename on your passport it does actually say given name as well.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Thorpy

First part, I'd totally agree, either of the 2 legislations I quoted earlier probably give the authority to collect such information in that manner, as has been said it's a case of when they decide to enforce a matching for approval standard.

The second point is somewhat interesting, because if the US only know your name when they swipe your passport, and approve without this information, then the inference is that they either don't check with UK that the name and number match, or maybe the UK only release the first name, so it matches.

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Hi Thorpy, indeed, much of what I researched was interesting. Whilst first name aware, it appears (bar pp upload during application) the US are unaware of full given names until OLCI/airport check-in, when pp number/doc match occurs. Do you remember the couple (she was a Dibber) who, circa 72 hours afore their flight, had an email to say ESTA was rescinded? It transpired the airline sent held API to the US, his pp flagged an error, ESTA rescinded. They were unable to discover why as the US was on Gov shut down. They nipped off elsewhere, upon return to the UK the officer pointed out his pp had been cancelled! Apparently the UK pp office had mistakenly cancelled his pp, they duly replaced and covered all expenses against their missed US holiday.

Whilst the airline close check-in circa an hour afore push back to allow baggage load et al., send all API to the US which allows for any discrepancy flag, giving enough time if any pax have to be removed.

Originally Posted by Wooden Top

Just one 's' on the ESTA application would have stopped all of this!

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No, it wouldn't have stopped all, as harsh as it may read, from a US angle being irritable/blaming them for personal shortcomings of not fully reading the application won't wash with the DHS/CBP. From my experience it's black and white to them, if the puter flags a discrepancy leading to ESTA rescind, it will be done (remember Sanford 2012, thousands flagged as over-stayers, ESTA denied).

[Mexy02]

Originally Posted by Wooden Top

It says given 'names' on your passport :-)

Just one 's' on the ESTA application would have stopped all of this!

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Many moons ago I actually posted the same response as you and got slated for it hence why i stopped posting on the threads re
Esta and middle names which i shall do once again .

the picture diagram on the esta application is clear enough just in case anyone just inst quite sure what it says on their passport or where

[sha9]

Am I right in thinking that prior to the change there wasn’t a box for middle names? That would explain why I thought it was missing from my sisters and make the change before March 2018. Or I may be completely wrong.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by sha9

Am I right in thinking that prior to the change there wasn’t a box for middle names? That would explain why I thought it was missing from my sisters and make the change before March 2018. Or I may be completely wrong.

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You're correct Lisa, and there still isn't a separate box for given/middle names, apparently all given names go in the one box, which may explain why some have faced an error code on the application when entering all names. Others report additional names can be added at the point of 'check/edit'.

[sha9]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

You're correct Lisa, and there still isn't a separate box for given/middle names, apparently all given names go in the one box, which may explain why some have faced an error code on the application when entering all names. Others report additional names can be added at the point of 'check/edit'.

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Well now I’m really confused because I was sure there was an extra box now. I’m presuming that I knew about it from the Dibb when I did my new ESTA rather than it being obvious on the application. I also now wonder if I’ve always put our middle names!

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by sha9

Well now I’m really confused because I was sure there was an extra box now. I’m presuming that I knew about it from the Dibb when I did my new ESTA rather than it being obvious on the application. I also now wonder if I’ve always put our middle names!

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Screen grab below (you may need your glasses/magnifier ) shows the two boxes, family name and first given names. Mexy shows a screen grab of the pp diagram in post 42.

[smithlane]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Screen grab below (you may need your glasses/magnifier ) shows the two boxes, family name and first given names. Mexy shows a screen grab of the pp diagram in post 42.

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See when I did both sets of ESTAs the diagram wasn’t there and it is misleading to say ‘First Given Name’ as in singular. This is what has been catching people out, me included. I’m still undecided whether to risk doing them again
Edit to add that’s not a dig at you Chris just that it’s so darn confusing 😂

[Thorpy]

Originally Posted by sha9

Well now I’m really confused because I was sure there was an extra box now. I’m presuming that I knew about it from the Dibb when I did my new ESTA rather than it being obvious on the application. I also now wonder if I’ve always put our middle names!

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I recall either a box for middle names, or a clearer instruction to include them. I remember this because I had to clarify how Mrs Thorpy spells her middle name as it's one of those with a few common spelling options.

Maybe they quietly removed it and are now bringing it back.