I'm planning to go from the UK to the States. I was wondering how the ESTA works. Is it all online, meaning when arriving in New York, will they see that I have been approved on the system when they scan my passport? Thus letting me in.
120811
So I went on holiday to the USA last summer. I filled out an ESTA application online, which cost me 14 dollars due to processing costs and whatnot. I printed a copy of the approved PDF and put it in my backpack. I took it with me where ever I went, just in case.  Nobody, in the 15 days that I was there, asked for my ESTA application. Not during customs, not during my check-in at hotels, not during my flight back to where I live, never.   Why did I fill out that form? Was it accidental that nobody asked for it? In what situation would a person of authority ask for it? Do you need to have a printed copy with you at all times? Who are the persons who may ask for validation of an ESTA application?
31682
I am thinking of visiting Victoria, BC in Canada and then going to Seattle, WA in the US, with the .  I am a national of a country under the Visa Waiver Program. I think that if I enter by air, I need to fill an ESTA form. If I enter by car, I don't need one, I can fill a form when crossing the border.  With the ferry, what is the procedure? Should I necessarily have an ESTA?
38077
As a UK citizen, I will be flying to Vancouver (for which I will need an eTA) and then taking an AMTRAK train to Seattle. I will stay in Seattle for several days before returning to Vancouver and flying back to the UK. Do I need an ESTA for entering the US during this trip?
55601
I am trying to apply for my ESTA using a passport with an expired ESTA.  The passport was issued by the UKPO in September 2016, and is valid through January 2027 (because the UK added validity for an early replacement).  However, the ESTA website no longer accepts these dates for my renewal.  Help!
123918
My dilemma is that I was admitted to the US under my B2 visa on October 27 2017, my passport was stamped with a end of stay of April 26, 2018. (see first picture).  I then went to Iceland for 10 days and when I re-entered my passport was stamped again, but this time it was stamped with 'WT' not 'B2'. The departure date on this stamp was April 6, 2018 (he only gave me 90 days as he admitted me under the VWP and not my B2 visa). (see second picture)  My issue now is that my ESTA will expire at the start of March but I plan to stay in the US until mid April. Am I allowed to stay? Do I need to extend my ESTA or is my B2 visa enough? Can I depart on April 26th like my first stamp says, or do I have to depart before April 6th?  I hope this makes sense. Please help. Thank you.
48248
I'm travelling on the ESTA visa waiver, I'm now in the States but would like to go to Costa Rica for a bit (say three weeks) then come back to the States. All will be within my 90 day limit.  Is that allowed?  (I have my onward ticket home.)
105245
I am traveling to Australia first time. My departure date is stamp on my passport from my country. I landed on Perth and gone through all the immigration process than I fly to Sydney through domestic airlines .After few minutes I show my passport and didn't find the immigration/arrival date stamp on my passport. So I am worried if this gonna put me on trouble.
3660
I am traveling from the US to India via London Heathrow on November 6. I will be at LHR on 7th at 6:20 am and departing at 9:25 pm. I'm an Indian national and have a valid US visa.  Do I need a transit visa to stay airside?  I have been scared that British Airways have stopped a few people from boarding flights (no details just rumors).  Do I need a transit visa to stay landside? I want to do some sightseeing. What are the chances of getting past officials using transit without visa concession?  Real stories will help a lot to calm the butterflies in my stomach.
32783
A quick search for ESTA application returned many results. According to , the official site to apply for an ESTA is .  Are the others scams, legitimate third party resellers or "added value" services?    (defunct - domain is for sale circa 2020)     Can anyone confirm either way?  Updated 2020: The above have better "not affiliated with the U.S. Government" warnings now, but beware there are newer more sneaky sites starting all the time:        And fortunately more official guidance about this issue:
31567
I'm Australian and have obtained my Canadian working visa. However rather than flying direct to Canada I am meeting an American friend in LA and driving across the border. I have a return flight booked back to Australia from LA in March of next year too. Will the esta visa will be enough to enter the USA because I have my Canadian working visa and plan to travel there? Or will there be a problem because my return flight is booked later then the 90 days allowed on the visa.
116052
My wife and I applied for a UK Standard visitor visa at the New York consulate. We sent in the documents and they have reached the mail room yesterday according to UPS.  Does anyone know how long it takes to get an email stating that they have received everything and are processing the applications?
101620
I have a "Standard Visitor Entry Clearance" for the UK and will be traveling there from Saudi Arabia.    Is it necessary to travel on the same date I provided on my application?  Will the Immigration Officer check?  Will it make problems if I travel on a different date?
68702
Is it possible to enter US on a one way ticket without any problem ? I am coming over to help a friend sail his boat from mainland US down to Caribbean.So am not sure exactly when I will be returning to UK and from where. I have a valid ESTA and am travelling on a UK passport. What supporting documents are customs likely to ask for ?
57279
I had applied for B1/B2 on my previous nationality but it got rejected Thrice.  I had planned on visiting my mother as she lives there. my last refusal was 3 years back. Now i have gained an European nationality and I am thinking of applying for ESTA so I can visit my mother. I have doubts if it will be accepted because I'll have to disclose about my previous refusals.  What should I do? because if I don't disclose my previous refusals I fear I might be rejected permanently.
15054
On November 11, my American girlfriend flew over to the UK to visit me. She was detained and questioned, and refused entry under the belief she would not leave within those six months. This was due to her having no return flight booked, as we were going to wait until we were together in the UK to book a return flight for either herself, or both of us back to the USA once we decided what exact dates I would be able to travel. Lesson learned. A hard lesson, but we learned!  Anyway, they said although she'll flag up in the future, it won't be a straight ban from entering and she could even try to come back the next day if she so pleased, although it would be unwise if her circumstances had not changed.  Fast forward to December 18. She got herself a job in the States to prove she intends to leave at the end of her stay, and has since applied for a UK Standard Visitor Visa. She posted her documents off to New York earlier today.  Will they send her a letter back refusing to issue her a visa since, as an American citizen, she does not even need one? She wanted to get one to be safe as I told her not to fly to the UK even with return flights booked if she doesn't have a visa, as she risks being denied once again after a long flight. It's hard to get this information on the Internet, and some stories I read said that they were sent a letter back from the UK Embassy denying their visa simply because they don't need one in the first place - even after that person was denied entry.  We're in a bit of a pickle granted, so any help would be greatly appreciated.   Cheers.
100886
I'm a UK Citizen, I have previously visited the US under the name of, let's say, Joe Smith. I am changing my name to, let's say, Joe Barnes.  My passport will be in the new name of Barnes.  Do I have to acquire a new ESTA? And what happens when I visit the US? Will those machines that print off the slip show my old name or new name? And will this lead to more questioning on entry?
94697
Recently I was refused an E-2 visa under Section 214b. To be honest I don't really know why because I have strong ties with my home country (house, bank account, family) so my lawyer sent an appeal to the legalnet and I'm  waiting for an answer.  I have a second nationality that I used to travel in USA within the last 15 months under ESTA. A few days after my E-2 refusal I checked my ESTA status  and it is still authorized.  Can I travel to the States right now or not?  I have a purchased business over there and have to take care of my assets.