How, exactly, does the ESTA system work – specifically on arrival?

7/28/2016 5:32:04 AM

The ESTA system is pretty much all done electronically – you apply at least 72 hours before you depart, then simply arrive. Obviously you need to present the passport you used to apply for the ESTA waiver.

However there are a few things I think it’s good to be aware of, insomuch as they applied to me when I travelled earlier this year – the situation may have changed by the time you read this:

  1. If you apply for an ESTA for transit, then within the ESTA validity period you wish to visit the US, then you’ll need to reapply for the ESTA waiver and pay the fee again. Sadly, although you can change a few details of a current ESTA, you can’t change the type. If you find yourself transiting on the way back less than 3 days following a visit, then I’m not sure what you do! Perhaps the answer is to always apply for visit, just in case.

  2. When you arrive, there’s probably a queue with a sign that says something like “queue here if you’ve got an ESTA and have visited the US in the last two years” plus a few other conditions. This is an accelerated border process for people who have already been through the ESTA arrival process at least once, recently. However, be aware that this isn’t the whole story – don’t do what I did and stand in that queue for thirty minutes only to find out that you need to have visited within the last two years on the same passport – and that doesn’t include renewals! Almost missed my connecting flight.

  3. It’s always a good idea to carry hard-copy facsimiles of all travel documentation. You may never need it, but it seems sensible to me to carry them.

The ESTA program is pretty good though – sometime prior to this travellers to the US from my country had to travel all the way to the one and only US Embassy in the country to get permission to visit, which in some cases might take an entire day of domestic travel and was a significant nuisance.

7/27/2016 1:04:41 PM

Yep, that’s it.

You apply online and get approved, and pay online.

You can print it off if it gives you some more anxiety, but literally when I’ve used it, I walk up, the official goes “do you have a visa or are you on ESTA?”, and he scans the passport and has always found it. I’ve usually had the approval number or whatever on me, but I’ve never needed to show it.

The airline might ask for evidence of it, however.

It’s pretty smooth, I get more questions about what I plan on doing in the US, rather than how I enter it.

Note that it’s not a guarantee that you’ll be granted access into the US.

As an aside it’s reasonably easy to get info on this online from the official sites:

From CBP.gov:

It is important to PRINT a copy of the document for your records. The
printout is not required upon arrival into the United States, as the
officers have the information electronically. Some airlines require
the printout upon check-in, please check with your respective airline.

and also from CBP.gov:

Do I need to bring a printed copy of my ESTA application with me to
the airport?

U.S. regulation does NOT require a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) traveler
to present a printed copy of the ESTA authorization page in order to
travel. However, it is recommended that you print a copy for your
records. Also, some airlines may ask you to bring a copy, in which
case you should print it out. If you applied for ESTA and you have
forgotten your application number, you may retrieve the application
through the ESTA website by entering the applicants name, date of
birth, passport number and passport issuing country.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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