VISA Waiver Program to USA

[RSD]

A four-day vacation in the US, travelling from Oz?

Wedding works well if asked

 

[DC3]

Wedding works well if asked

Please let us know how it goes this time

 

[RSD]

Please let us know how it goes this time

Will do - worked last time - wedding of a mate that I went to Uni with didn't raise an eyebrow.

 

[Lynda2475]

A four-day vacation in the US, travelling from Oz?

Not that weird Im going to US (Hawaii) for only 5 nights next week, its legit.

At the time of entry I will have about 15 days left on my last ESTA, stoked to have managed to get trips out of it in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

 

[NM]

Not that weird Im going to US (Hawaii) for only 5 nights next week, its legit.

At the time of entry I will have about 15 days left on my last ESTA, stoked to have managed to get trips out of it in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

I would expect that 5 nights in Hawaii might be considered a little differently to 4 nights in mainland USA for someone travel ling from Australia to USA, A 9-10 hour flight each way for 5 nights in a recognised holiday destination seems quite reasonable. A 17-hour flight each way for 4 night stay in a different destination may not be seen in the same light.

However, if attending a business conference or even if stating that I am attending a 1-2 day business meeting, I have never had any issues entering on the Visa Waiver program. Just be honest with them. Lots of Australians enter the USA for short-term business meetings, They are very much used to such entries, Attending a business meeting is unlikely to raise questions relating to breach of visa circumstances, I have entered for short duration stays for business meetings under the Visa Waiver program many times. Once I was asked which company I worked for, and I answered honestly (was a global IT company with HQ in USA) and welcomed to the USA without hesitation with 90 days stamped in my passport for a 4 day stay.

Attending a meeting or conference is not a problem under the Visa Waiver program and hence under ETSA, Honesty generally achieves the best outcome, unless you really have something to hide.

 

[DC3]

… Just be honest with them …

Exactly

 

[ausfox]

About 10 years ago I did a large status run and spent 3 nights in Dallas Tx. Then came home. No problems from authorities just a debatable use of funds.

 

[worldhopper]

Hi Hive,

Just wanted to see if anyone has similar situation/experience with entry to US (LAX specifically).

What I have :
1. I hold a multiple entry B1/2 - visa on my non-VWP passport [Passport A] - (both passport and visa are current (expires in say, 9 years time, valid for travel)

2. I have also recently acquired Australian passport [Passport B] very recently in the last few months.

(Both passports have the same name and DOB)

What I want:
1. I would like to travel on my Australian passport for the reason being that I would want to make use of the Mobile Passport Control to fast-track immigration at LAX.

What my problem is :
1. I am not sure if I can apply for an ESTA on my Australian passport [Passport B] as I currently hold a visitor visa on Passport A - given the precondition to apply for an ESTA is not holding a visitor visa.

So, my question :
1. Can I apply for an ESTA with Australian Passport? - My concern is having an ESTA rejected then I will forever be damned whenever I want to travel to US, which means going to the consulate, applying for a visa etc etc...and I do not live in a capital city where there is a visa-processing consulate (so more time, money wasted)

2. If I can't, can I enter US with my Australian Passport however, using the B1 visa I have been approved for on Passport B?

3. What are my options for MPC given my slightly tricky situation?

I have emailed CBP for some clarification but thought I pick the brains of the community here as well.

 

[Himeno]

Have to apply for a new ESTA for upcoming trip (new passport and last ESTA expired shortly after my last trip anyway).
It's asking for a US Contact, which it didn't used to. Question is required.
What have people been putting in for this? It doesn't accept non US contact details.

 

[Flashback]

Have to apply for a new ESTA for upcoming trip (new passport and last ESTA expired shortly after my last trip anyway).
It's asking for a US Contact, which it didn't used to. Question is required.
What have people been putting in for this? It doesn't accept non US contact details.

Put the accommodation details. In some spots it does say you can enter zeros as the phone number, too.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Have to apply for a new ESTA for upcoming trip (new passport and last ESTA expired shortly after my last trip anyway).
It's asking for a US Contact, which it didn't used to. Question is required.
What have people been putting in for this? It doesn't accept non US contact details.

Its always asked for this. Put your first hotel in (as it suggests) and you'll be fine.

 

[Flashback]

Its always asked for this. Put your first hotel in (as it suggests) and you'll be fine.

No, it is slightly different now. I did an application last week for myself. It has an additional set of questions around contact, in addition to the one where you previously would have just put your hotel in.

 

[Dr Ralph]

No, it is slightly different now. I did an application last week for myself. It has an additional set of questions around contact, in addition to the one where you previously would have just put your hotel in.

I did an application two weeks ago. Questions may have been reworded but this information was previously required.

In any case, the instructions provided were very clear about what you should enter.

I did notice, however, that the questions about criminal history had changed. Crimes of 'moral turpitude' no longer mentioned. [The original focus of this thread]

 

[Himeno]

Its always asked for this. Put your first hotel in (as it suggests) and you'll be fine.

No, it's different.
It asks for "US Contact" which is a required entry, then it gives an optional entry for your address on the trip.
It suggests using the hotel of your first night for the optional address, it gives no such suggestion for the prior US Contact entry.

 

[Himeno]

Once I submitted the new esta, I had the approval back within 7 hours

 

[Flashback]

Once I submitted the new esta, I had the approval back within 7 hours

Mine came back in an hour or so, quickest I've had in a long time!

 

[Himeno]

Mine came back in an hour or so, quickest I've had in a long time!

I submitted it, went to bed and it was back when I got up.