USA Visa questions

[BrizMarc]

Im in the process of booking my first trip to the states and more importantly Disneyland.

Im confused by the Us Visa waiver program and the ESTA approval. Do i need to apply for ESTA approval first and then what? im confused.

Im totaly lost and im sure someone can help me. thanks

[Gerard]

I'm not sure myself , I think you do the online questionare thing, and fill out the arrival form (you get that on the plane) as usual

[KeithS]

Hey Brizmarc - all you need to do is fill out the ESTA online application at any time prior to your travel, just go to the Customs and Border Protection website and filled out the ESTA http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/. The actual travel information is not compulsory, so if you don't know your flight details or address you are staying, you can leave them blank. There is an ESTA Q&A on the webpage link.

Once submitted, the website just gives you a confirmation number (I can't remember if you get an email as well - maybe Gerard remembers). I just printed out the page with the confirmation number just in case I need it when entering. It only takes a few minutes to go through the process. Each traveller needs a separate ESTA.

This whole process replaces the old green forms you used to have to fill out on the aircraft and give to immigration in the US.

I'm assuming that you are travelling on an Australian passport...

[BrizMarc]

Thanks Keith, So thats all i have to do to enter the USA? Sounds much simpler than I thought it would

[sandie]

My understanding is you still need to fill in the arriving passenger form on the plane.

Sandie

[sandie]

and now this:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,2 ... 90,00.html

Sandie

[churros]

I wonder if it comes with a smile and a cheerie "Welcome to the US of A" - it would make a nice change. I've always found US airport customs act like they really don't like tourists or somebody spat on their morning donut!

[KeithS]

My understanding is you still need to fill in the arriving passenger form on the plane.

Yep - I can confirm that - you still need to fill out the Green form on the plane.