72 hours for US ESTA, new requirement

[Himeno]

I just tried that site.
Entered current passport details, get "No record found for traveler."
I've had 1-3 US entries a year for the last 13 years.

This is odd.

Trying this US travel history look up site again.
Current passport details gives "No record found for traveler." on the travel history.
Using my old passport details (replaced Sep 2014) gives basic data (date, Arrival, port) for the 3rd of 3 entries this year and 2nd of 2 in 2017.

This history page then gives the option to look at most recent I-94 form. Clicking that gives the "No record found for traveler." Then entering my current passport on that page gives the current I-94 details.

It only gives me 2 arrival returns (of 9 since late 2014), made on passport 2, when using details of passport 1 and nothing when using details of passport 2.

 

[opusman]

Yes, that bothered me. But I've been back to the site, and looked, and there's no specific number, only the application ID. The status page specifically says 'approved for travel to the USA', so I've printed that out. Just not what I expected, or remembered from last time.

The application number is the ESTA number afaik.

 

[Quickstatus]

I don't think the ESTA system is all that clear though, especially for people who haven't travelled much.

Especially when Google ranks the real esta website below third party esta agent websites who charge a fee like QF

It’s always been “up to 72 hrs” for an ESTA turnaround. I got mine within 30min when I renewed in Nov 2018

 

[Quickstatus]

Is the US better now with new passports? Seem to remember that the new Oz passport raised concerns when Trump came in.

The auto kiosks work fine except when passport is renewed and has never entered USA before - get to go to secondary inspection then

 

[Quickstatus]

Is the US better now with new passports? Seem to remember that the new Oz passport raised concerns when Trump came in.

Not because of new passports. It’s worse because tipping is now circa 20% and AUD/USD could be higher but it’s not
A lot of people and authorities raised concerns when Trump got in

 

[Franky]

Not because of new passports. It’s worse because tipping is now circa 20% and AUD/USD could be higher but it’s not
A lot of people and authorities raised concerns when Trump got in

Concerns about what?....

 

[mrsterryn]

As this is USA visa and such...why is there now a check of your passport if you are travelling to USA? They then put a sticker in your passport?
I have collected a few now

 

[RooFlyer]

As this is USA visa and such...why is there now a check of your passport if you are travelling to USA? They then put a sticker in your passport?
I have collected a few now

Notwithstanding an ESTA is not a visa , that extra check is just another security check instigated by US authorities, taking it away from check-in agents. The sticker is for others to see that you have been checked.

 

[mrsterryn]

Notwithstanding an ESTA is not a visa , that extra check is just another security check instigated by US authorities, taking it away from check-in agents. The sticker is for others to see that you have been checked.

Okey dokey thanks for that

 

[Himeno]

As this is USA visa and such...why is there now a check of your passport if you are travelling to USA? They then put a sticker in your passport?
I have collected a few now

It's a paranoia thing the US has. They have a security guard ask questions to people flying to the US. It used to just be from EU airports, it's been expanded to everywhere after Trump got in.

At least they are putting the stupid sticker on the inside of the passport cover, and not outside like the EU checkers have been doing. The stupid sticker is one reason I stopped flying Europe > US.

 

[Quickstatus]

Why would a sticker bother you

I got a security sticker exiting SYD. The auto kiosk had problems reconciling my face to record - has to go to secondary - sticker inserted there

 

[JohnK]

Especially when Google ranks the real esta website below third party esta agent websites who charge a fee like QF

Try getting a "free" Australian tax file number. The first link is a paid service and I was in a hurry. They then charged a cancellation fee so not the first time that has happened.

 

[jgm]

They send you an email a few months before it expires.
Provided you are using the same email 2 years after you applied, there isn't really any reason that you wouldn't know the ESTA needed renewing.

My ESTA expires at the end of Jan (a few days after I fly), but I haven't received an email nor has my wife who is in the same situation.

The ESTA approval is linked to the passport. They'll get boarding permission when they scan the passport at check in. I've never been asked for the ESTA number.

I used to think that was the case also. But the last time we went (Feb 2017) the OZ staff at MEL wouldn't check us in until I could bring up the ESTA's for both of us on my iPad. I printed copies in the lounge in case we were asked for them again at ICN, but they weren't required again. I will have a printed copy with me this time.

 

[RooFlyer]

I used to think that was the case also. But the last time we went (Feb 2017) the OZ staff at MEL wouldn't check us in until I could bring up the ESTA's for both of us on my iPad. I printed copies in the lounge in case we were asked for them again at ICN, but they weren't required again. I will have a printed copy with me this time.

That sounds very, very odd. Certainly not the norm.

 

[Himeno]

My ESTA expires at the end of Jan (a few days after I fly), but I haven't received an email nor has my wife who is in the same situation.

May have been sent to spam, or you could have had an old/wrong email in the system.
I got a "your esta is about to expire" email in September. Renewed it a few weeks later.

I used to think that was the case also. But the last time we went (Feb 2017) the OZ staff at MEL wouldn't check us in until I could bring up the ESTA's for both of us on my iPad. I printed copies in the lounge in case we were asked for them again at ICN, but they weren't required again. I will have a printed copy with me this time.

Not the norm. It is possible they had lost their data link to CBP when you tried to check in and they needed to see the ESTA somehow.

 

[Kangarucci]

Traveller arrived at Melbourne airport yesterday without an ESTA. They were very fortunate that their ESTA was authorised straight away! Don't risk it!

 

[Pushka]

Applied for Canadian eVisa and US ESTA this morning. Canadian back instantly. Still waiting on US one.

 

[Lynda2475]

I've entered the US on my soon to expire passport on 8 separate occasions (via HNL, SFO, DFW and LAX) on 3 different ESTAs and never had a sticker (curious as to what these stickers are) just an entry stamp and never been asked to show my ESTA (although usually have a PDF copy on my phone just in case).

My next entry will be on a new passport (so new ESTA required) and this time I will board a flight from the UK and not Aus - wondering if the process is any different?

 

[RooFlyer]

I've entered the US on my soon to expire passport on 8 separate occasions (via HNL, SFO, DFW and LAX) on 3 different ESTAs and never had a sticker (curious as to what these stickers are)

They are relatively new - a year or so - and are put in by agents who stand at the check in queue at the departure airport after you have answered some security questions. Small, stripy things.

They are a flag to others that you have been asked ( and presumably passed) the security questions.

ESTA should be in 'the system' and available to the check in agent automatically, but sometimes it's not and then you'll need to show it somehow.

 

[serfty]

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.