VISA Waiver Program to USA

[RooFlyer]

Is this all I need to do to enter the USA? Is it attached to my passport electronically?
I understand that Border Control will make the final determination on arrival, but is this likely?

Yes, its linked electronically to your passport as far as the Americans are concerned. I haven't travelled to USA since Covid, but there were few USA arrival ports that have people now, except for a final check. Electronic kiosks - if it knows you have an ESTA, it will let you proceed.

It is also be in the airline check-in system this end - if you need an ESTA and don't have one, they won't check you in (several people have recounted this, here!). If you get through check-in, it would be unlikely that you'd be bounced on arrival for an ESTA reason.

 

[serfty]

It is also be in the airline check-in system this end - if you need an ESTA and don't have one, they won't check you in (several people have recounted this, here!).

Correct, you cannot check in without a valid ESTA already recorded electronically.

In the early days a physical copy may have been needed, but not in the last decade or so.

 

[Dr Ralph]

In the early days a physical copy may have been needed, but not in the last decade or so.

Disagree. I have been asked for the hard copy many times within the last decade.

 

[RooFlyer]

Disagree. I have been asked for the hard copy many times within the last decade.

At check-in (which airline?), or at the US arrival point?

 

[Dr Ralph]

At check-in (which airline?), or at the US arrival point?

US entry. Multiple different entry sites, including by plane, train and car.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ive never been asked for the physical copy of the ESTA when departing (SYD, LHR, BOG, YVR, CUN) or arriving (LAX, DFW, JFK, SFO, HNL or SEA).

I always have a hardcopy or softcopy on a device in case, but it has never been needed.

 

[blackcat20]

I've never had to show mine either, here or in the US.

 

[serfty]

Disagree. I have been asked for the hard copy many times within the last decade.

I was asked once or twice at check in in the early days, proffered it at check in a few times after that which were politely declined. So I stopped doing so.

I still always keep a hard copy on me but have never had to dig it out over scores of trips to the USA since.

 

[SuePa]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.
I was planning to take a hard copy, just in case.
I'm entering through LAX and have a fairly short connection time, so I don't want any complications, if I can help it.

 

[Flashback]

At check-in (which airline?), or at the US arrival point?

Mrs FB and I were asked to show ours at check-in at CDG 2 weeks ago, then again at SEA on arrival. Flying BA.

 

[u53n4m3]

My partner and I are flying to LAX in a couple weeks with Qantas. It doesn't let us choose our names for the APIS, only has the first and surnames from booking which cannot be edited. However my partner has a middle name, which we did enter in the booking of the flight but it is not displayed on the APIS information. We also of course included it in the esta application since it is on the passport and the esta application instructs you to do so. Does anyone know if this is gonna be a problem when they try to get approval from the USA when they check it in advance of check in?

Been trying to deal with Qantas support but they are hopeless. I worry it is just gonna compare "given names" on the esta with the first name on the Qantas APIS and mess up our plans.

 

[Flashback]

My partner and I are flying to LAX in a couple weeks with Qantas. It doesn't let us choose our names for the APIS, only has the first and surnames from booking which cannot be edited. However my partner has a middle name, which we did enter in the booking of the flight but it is not displayed on the APIS information. We also of course included it in the esta application since it is on the passport and the esta application instructs you to do so. Does anyone know if this is gonna be a problem when they try to get approval from the USA when they check it in advance of check in?

Been trying to deal with Qantas support but they are hopeless. I worry it is just gonna compare "given names" on the esta with the first name on the Qantas APIS and mess up our plans.

No, I never have my middle name on my flight booking and have never had issues going into the US including as recently as a month ago.

 

[u53n4m3]

No, I never have my middle name on my flight booking and have never had issues going into the US including as recently as a month ago.

Ok cool thanks for sharing your experience, do you have your middle name on your passport and on the esta too?

 

[Flashback]

Ok cool thanks for sharing your experience, do you have your middle name on your passport and on the esta too?

I do indeed.

 

[u53n4m3]

I do indeed.

Thanks a lot, that is a weight off my mind!

 

[Lynda2475]

I did my latest ESTA online the weekend, and it didn't ask for middle name anywhere, only first and last name. My tickets are booked as Lynda A Surnameand obviously my passport has my full name. Never had an issue before, don't expect one this trip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok cool thanks for sharing your experience, do you have your middle name on your passport and on the esta too?

As others have indicated this isn’t going to be an issue.

At check-in your passport is swiped and the full details of the passport are transferred electronically to the US authorities. This includes any middle names.

US authorities are only interested in running checks on the passenger about to arrive… not the ticket or what’s written on the ticket

 

[MJHoops]

Submitted ESTA today. Australian passport, no unusual answers. Went to pending authorization and I freaked out (!)

Took about 70 minutes to get approved

 

[Quickstatus]

Basically not eligible for vWP - has to apply for proper sticker visa.
Then Prima facie they said he ticks the refusal box because he was “arrested”. So no Sticker Visa either. And now he has “a visa refused” on his record.

At this point there is nothing the son can do except hire an immigration lawyer and see what they say.

I always tell people who have not been to a country before where a visa is required (or never had a visa before) and are planning to visit - to always get a visa first before paying for tickets.

 

[Quickstatus]

I still always keep a hard copy on me but have never had to dig it out over scores of trips to the USA since.

Never had to dig out the hard copy.