Entering the USA

Travel Procedure

Once your details are entered into ESTA, you will then be given an application number even if you have not provided address and flight information. Once approved and, if preferred, this can then be printed out but you must make note of the approval number for future reference (to update information for further visits, for instance). However it is not mandatory to print the approval to show to the Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer upon entry into the USA. Each family member travelling is required to complete an ESTA application.

Who can complete ESTA?

Third party entry of data into ESTA is permitted but the third party must be completely certain as to the accuracy of such entries. Any inaccuracies will be taken up with you - not the third party. Therefore to ensure data accuracy, you must have complete confidence in the person you have asked to complete your application. The system does not track whether the ESTA has been submitted by you or a third party and you remain totally responsible for your own records.

Multiple Visits

Updating ESTA data for repeat visits within the 2 year ESTA duration is recommended but may not be mandatory. Upon entry into the USA, the CBP officer will also have your APIS data on screen at the same time as the ESTA data and therefore the CBP may query why the two sets of data do not match and seek an explanation. Updating ESTA with new arrival and first night’s stay data will save time at the point of entry as it will mean fewer questions.

Risk Assessment

When ESTA processes an application, it is checking its databases for security risk names and any individuals on theses databases will be refused an authority to travel. If an authorisation is held pending, this is primarily because some information in the application appears to be incorrect, e.g. passport number. Usually, a response will be posted within 12 hours but it may take up to 72 hours.

ESTA & APIS

If you have travelled to the USA before you will know that additional information is already required relating to your stay – this is called APIS (Advance Passenger Information System). As ESTA and APIS data cover two different requirements and are run by two different government departments, both systems have to run separately. At some point the two may be merged so that duplicate information does not have to be provided but currently there is no planned date for such a change.

ESTA Refusals

These are expected to be minimal and it is not expected that ESTA will create additional refusals over current levels.

Emergency Travel

ESTA applications can be made at any time ahead of travel but should be made at least 72 hours before departure. However, it will still be possible for you to submit an ESTA application right up to departure. If ESTA approval is not given, then travel to the USA will not be permitted and therefore it is highly advisable you submit applications and get ESTA approval outside the 72 hour deadline.

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Passport & Visa Requirements

All clients are responsible for ensuring that they have a valid passport and if applicable, must obtain a visa. North America Travel Service is happy to provide up-to-date information on these requirements at the time of booking.

PASSPORTS  All visitors to North America, including children and infants, must hold their own full and valid machine readable passport. If your passport was issued on or after October 26th 2006, it must also be a biometric passport (for further information pelase visit www.passport.gov.uk. For travel to the USA, your passport need only be valid for the duration of your stay in the USA. For travel to Canada, your passport must be valid for at least one day beyond your stay in Canada.

VISAS  Generally, British Citizens are allowed entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme (see also ESTA); however there are certain exceptions so we encourage you to check at the time of booking if any special requirements apply in your particular case. Visit www.usembassy.org.uk, ask your professional travel agent or at any North America Travel Service office.

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Health Requirements

At present there are no compulsary vaccinations required to visit North America although the Department of Health policies can change, therefore we recommend that you refer to www.dh.gov.uk at least six weeks prior to travelling.