Traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program after January 20?
22 January 2010 by: visaservices
If you are traveling to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization before boarding the air or sea carrier. If you fail to do so, you should expect to be denied boarding by the carrier.
Should I reapply for a new VISA WAIVER PROGRAM?
I applied for the Visa Waiver Program last year and was granted one till 2011. I am going to the US again in a month’s time. What I would like to know is, should I reapply as my address in the US will be different from the one on the approved ESTA application.
i travelled to USA last year, will j have to apply for ESTA again as my last one says its valid till 2011. Although when i travelled the airline said that the USA were not set up for our online application then so we had to fill in the form on the plane. So will that make our online last year invalid?
If your registration under ESTA was approved, it will be valid for travel for two years or until the date on which your passport expires, which ever comes first.
If your registration under ESTA was approved, it will be valid for travel for two years or until the date on which your passport expires, which ever comes first. If your travel details have changed, you update your original record with this information, but it is not mandatory.
I am a UK citizen and visiting the USA fron Canada for 3 days. I will enter USA via Ferry from Vancouver Island and travelling back from Seattle by road. Do I need to complete ESTA or do I just need to complete a I94W?
A number of ferry companies are participating carriers in the Visa Waiver Pogram and travelers using their services are required to complete the I-94w. In the circumstances we would recommend that you submit an ESTA registration before traveling.
My daughter who is working in USA on O1 visa. she was taken ill in Feb 2010. Her treatment will probably last until year end. As my wife has already made two visits this year to help care for her for a total of 94 days, what visa should she apply for if she needs to spend in excess of 180 days in total for this calendar year?
Grahame – Your wife will be required to apply for a B-2 visa. For further details, please refer to the Embassy website at: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html
My 13 year old son and 11 year old daughter are visiting the US with my husband’s family from July 14 to Aug 2 this year. I would like to know the requirements are from me as their mother to enable them to travel with relatives – i.e. authorisation letter, copy of my passport, etc. Please advise me on the necessary documents. Thanks.
L Go-Olivar – the Department of Homeland Security recommends that the parent or guardian who will travel with the children carries a letter or notarized statement from the non-traveling parent, confirming that they are aware that the children are traveling with the other parent and that they have permission to do so.
I am participating on an exchange programme with a US university. I already have my J-1 Visa ready and approved in my passport. Do I need to apply for ESTA in addition to this?
Sarah – ESTA registration is only for those traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. If you have a valid visa, you are not required to register under ESTA.
Hello!
I am currently a UK citizen since 2003.
I was denied a student visa for the US from India in 1990 when I was an Indian citizen. Reason for refusal was that I should try again after a few years.
I was issued a 10 year USA tourist visa from London in 2001-when I was a permanent resident of the UK. I have visited the US as a tourist in 2001 and returned to the UK without any problems. My US visa expires in 2011 but it is fixed to my Indian passport which has since expired.
As I am a UK citizen now, can I apply under VWP- ESTA? As I was refused a visa 20 years ago, will my ESTA be declined automatically?
If declined, do I need to apply for a visa with submission of DS-160?
Please excuse me for the longish post and thanks in advance for your reply!
Raj – travelers who have changed nationality and are now a citizen of a country eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program may submit registration under ESTA. If such travelers have been refused a visa in the past, even if under their previous nationality, they must declare the refusal when completing ESTA registration.
If the registration under ESTA is denied, the traveler will be required to apply for the appropriate visa.
Raj – we are unable to pre-adjudicate visa applications. A decision on your eligibility for the visa can only be made by a consular officer at the time of your application. You may arrange an appointment to apply for a visa by calling the Embassy’s operator service on 09042 450 100 (£1.20/min).