72 hours for US ESTA, new requirement

[coriander]

Yes, we had a couple of security personnel put these stickers in our passports at MEL on the 2nd QF49 to SFO (5/9/18).

 

[Pushka]

Having applied for ESTA yesterday I expected an email this morning for approval - but nada. I’d printed out the application so checked online as to its status. Both have been approved. But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

 

[blackcat20]

Having applied for ESTA yesterday I expected an email this morning for approval - but nada. I’d printed out the application so checked online as to its status. Both have been approved. But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

Don’t think I’ve ever had an approval email.

 

[serfty]

But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

Somtimes yes, sometimes no.

Last one was back in February - no email but I rechecked 5 minutes later and it had been approved.

 

[Pushka]

Don’t think I’ve ever had an approval email.

I did get one last time as I printed it off yesterday. This was in 2014. I found the ESTA and Canadian Evisas together as the Canada application asked if we’d applied previously and if possible, requested the number. I do see now that the application form doesn’t say an email will be sent so maybe it’s changed. I also didn’t receive an application email and I wonder how many people don’t print off their online application thinking they will receive one.

 

[serfty]

wonder how many people don’t print off their online application thinking they will receive one.

Probably many ... its good you can retrieve it without the application number/code.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

As mentioned, the stickers are relatively recent.

It shows you have been interviewed regarding your reasons for travel to the USA.

You can remove them after travel if you wish.

Had entry and departure in both Oct and Nov and no sticker for me or Mrs Nick so must not apply for all visitors

 

[serfty]

Had entry and departure in both Oct and Nov and no sticker for me or Mrs Nick so must not apply for all visitors

Who were you flying with and fron where?

The interviews happen at your departure port before you board your flight to the USA.

They can be before or after check in but generally you cannot board without a sticker.

In the last 12 months I've had these at MEL (both QF and VA), SYD (QF) & HKG (CX).

 

[RooFlyer]

The interviews happen at your departure port before you board your flight to the USA.

Beat me to it.

But if NFER wasn't interviewed at all, whether or not he got a sticker, it might show that the process is not a go/ no go one OR that is not an impediment to boarding? In that case maybe the questions are flagged to be asked by the immigration officer at the Arrival port?

 

[serfty]

You are not supposed to be able to board without the sticker.

US CBP do not care about the sticker. The first time I had one (QF7) I was told by the interviewer not to remove the sticker until after I had boarded but I was welcome to once seated on the airvraft.

I suspect a process failure.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Who were you flying with and fron where?

The interviews happen at your departure port before you board your flight to the USA.

They can be before or after check in but generally you cannot board without a sticker.

In the last 12 months I've had these at MEL (both QF and VA), SYD (QF) & HKG (CX).

Both flights were with AA
1. HND to LAX
2. BOG to DFW

 

[serfty]

Seems indeed both outstation failures.

 

[amaroo]

Just donated another US$28 to a worthy cause.... last time is was $56. Our travel expenditure is about to drop 50% across the board Or as I prefer to say - twice the amount of travel for the same price

We still had a month to go on the old ESTA, so the timing wasn't that bad.

 

[cove]

Just checked our two seeing we are going there next month.
Mrscove did get to see the holding room a while back as a result of a new passport. Folks crying and a big sign warning to not use your phone in there.

 

[Quickstatus]

Would a new passport just put an X on the autokiosk printout and direct to a secondary agent but not a holding room?

 

[amaroo]

Would a new passport just put an X on the autokiosk printout and direct to a secondary agent but not a holding room?

New passport = new ESTA

 

[amaroo]

Having applied for ESTA yesterday I expected an email this morning for approval - but nada. I’d printed out the application so checked online as to its status. Both have been approved. But still no email. Is this usual? I’ve printed off the approval page anyway.

Just checked the CBP website and we were both approved overnight - no email received. A search of my email accounts indicates I've never received a confirmation email from them.

 

[serfty]

Just checked the CBP website and we were both approved overnight - no email received. A search of my email accounts indicates I've never received a confirmation email from them.

That has been reported a lot recently.

Also, some have indicated they waited for an approval confirmation and when one was not received within a few minutes (as had occurred previously), they looked up their ESTA to find it had been already approved.

 

[amaroo]

That has been reported a lot recently.

Also, some have indicated they waited for an approval confirmation and when one was not received within a few minutes (as had occurred previously), they looked up their ESTA to find it had been already approved.

I checked 6/7 hours after submitting the application yesterday - it showed "authorisation pending" .... maybe an Easter induced delay, but Easter isn't a holiday over there.

Funny system, I received email confirmation on application and have in the past, but nothing actually advising I've been approved.

 

[serfty]

... some have indicated they waited for an approval confirmation and when one was not received within a few minutes (as had occurred previously), they looked up their ESTA to find it had been already approved.

Looking back, this very thing happened to me in February last year with my most recent "ESTA travel authorization".