The ESTA scheme came in a little over two years ago, and regular visitors to the USA may find this old news. However, if you’ve not travelled there for a while, then you will need to know that before you travel to the USA, you will need to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation or ESTA.
ESTA is the online form that has replaced the older paper visa waiver forms that passengers used to be asked to fill in while on their flight to America. The ESTA is mandatory for all travellers, and official advice is that you should complete it at least 72 hours before you travel as although many people’s application is processed virtually instantly, some people do meet delays in the process.
There is no paper version of this application, and it must be completed online, and although officials suggest 72 hours before travelling, it’s probably best to do it when you’re booking your holiday so that you know it’s done. Every UK traveller – adults and children alike – need to fill this in and receive authorisation to travel. The application costs $14 per person. Do make sure when you do this that you go to the official site as there are some scam sites out there which will try to charge you more to do this.
When you’ve filled in this application online, and received your authorisation, make sure you print out the page with the authorisation number on it as this is your ESTA travel permit number and it is not e-mailed to you.
The ESTA is valid for two years, unless your passport expires sooner in which case it expires at the same time as your passport. When your ESTA expires, you just go back to the application process and re-apply. It is important to make sure that you do have a valid ESTA as without it, it is unlikely that you will even be allowed to board your flight from the UK let alone be allowed into the USA.
Useful Info:
http://blog.netflights.com/2011/02/16/before-you-travel-the-united-states-esta-scheme/
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
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