How could I have traveled to the US without having my ESTA checked? Is it really needed?
- By
- Aparna Patel
- |
- 28 Jul, 2023
- |
ESTA stands for “Electronic System for Travel Authorization”.
The key word here is “Electronic”. This refers not only to the fact that the ESTA is applied for online, but also to the fact that it is checked electronically.
When you checked-in for your flight to the US, the airline would have electronically confirmed that you had an ESTA, and thus you were allowed to board the flight.
When you went through immigration in the US, the immigration officer would have confirmed that you had an ESTA, and thus you were allowed to enter the country.
If you did not have an approved ESTA you would not have been allowed board the plane, and if somehow you had made it onto the plane you would not have been allowed past immigration. Once you are past immigration your ESTA is no longer relevant – instead the stamp in your passport becomes the proof that you are allowed be in the country, and controls when you must depart by.
Taking a print-out of the ESTA is a good idea, but it’s simply a backup in case there are any issues – in general the entire ESTA process is automated, and as you’ve experienced, once approved is completely transparent.
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘