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What is ESTA and why do you need to complete it?

Many of you may have heard or read about ESTA.  You may have heard people talking about ESTA…..yet still do not know what ESTA is all about and how important it is!

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorisation!  For those of you who have been lucky enough to travel the America before may recall completing green forms on the aircraft (or some may recall writing them out as they stand in the immigration queue, tut tut!).  Well effectively these green forms now have to be completed online prior to travel.

Currently, the ESTA application is FREE however a  bill has been passed in the US, and we think from September onwards there will be a $10 per person fee (approx.) to complete your ESTA forms, so the advice is apply now, even if you’re thinking about travelling the US in the next few years, as ESTA is valid for two years!

ESTA

Before we go any further, it’s important to understand that successfully applying for ESTA doesn’t mean you’re automatically allowed to enter the USA, it just establishes that you’re “eligible to travel”.  Only a US Customs & Border Protection officer at the point of entry can decide whether you’re actually allowed in or not.

ESTA is compulsory now, so everyone going to the States needs to fill out the ESTA online form; there are no excuses.  If you haven’t, even if you’re only in transit, you can be sent home.  ESTA can be completed up to 72 hours before travelling however we recommend that you apply as soon as possible as ESTA is valid for TWO years, even before you book your Orlando holiday!  That way, if for any reason you are rejected, you won’t lose the cost of you non-refundable holiday deposit/ full payment as travel providers will almost certainly not cover you for this.  After completing ESTA, it often only takes seconds to get your authorisation back.

One thing you need to remember though is only people who qualify to travel the US on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can complete these forms i.e if you have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses, those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the VWP. Such travellers must apply for special restricted visas.  Of course you can still complete the form and answer the questions honestly and truthfully, to see what you get back.

ESTA

If you haven’t completed an ESTA before travelling, or you did but were declined, you may not be allowed to board your outbound flight.  Or if you’re lucky enough to make it across the Atlantic, think again.  You’re guaranteed to be turned away and sent back home.  At your expense.  And this includes everyone: babies, children and the elderly.

Lastly, remember to print everyone’s authorisation off and keep them somewhere safe!

For more details on ESTA and for the official link click here!