Is ESTA needed?
Sep 30th 2016, 4:08 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 32
Is ESTA needed?
Hi hubby is entering the US on Sunday with IR-1. Does he still need an ESTA? His expired in July and I thought no, but just want to double check. Thank you!
Sep 30th 2016, 4:10 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Is ESTA needed?
No. ESTA is only for those who do not have a visa. 
Sep 30th 2016, 4:45 pm
#5
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Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York
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Sep 30th 2016, 5:57 pm
#6
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: Is ESTA needed?
Once 'airside', i.e. through security, any passenger can put all documents away apart from the boarding card. Even that can be electronic and stored on a phone, so no paper at all may be needed at that point.
I have NEVER seen a visa being checked at the gate.
Sep 30th 2016, 6:06 pm
#7
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Joined: Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 4,891
Re: Is ESTA needed?
Extremely doubtful.
Once 'airside', i.e. through security, any passenger can put all documents away apart from the boarding card. Even that can be electronic and stored on a phone, so no paper at all may be needed at that point.
I have NEVER seen a visa being checked at the gate.
Once 'airside', i.e. through security, any passenger can put all documents away apart from the boarding card. Even that can be electronic and stored on a phone, so no paper at all may be needed at that point.
I have NEVER seen a visa being checked at the gate.
Sep 30th 2016, 6:11 pm
#8
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Is ESTA needed?
Yeah, I think American Airlines asked for our passports at the gate at LHR last year. It is the only way at the moment, to reduce the risk of someone switching IDs air-side within the airport.
Sep 30th 2016, 6:38 pm
#9
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York
Posts: 2,536
Re: Is ESTA needed?
Extremely doubtful.
Once 'airside', i.e. through security, any passenger can put all documents away apart from the boarding card. Even that can be electronic and stored on a phone, so no paper at all may be needed at that point.
I have NEVER seen a visa being checked at the gate.
Once 'airside', i.e. through security, any passenger can put all documents away apart from the boarding card. Even that can be electronic and stored on a phone, so no paper at all may be needed at that point.
I have NEVER seen a visa being checked at the gate.
Sep 30th 2016, 8:21 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 32
Re: Is ESTA needed?
Thanks all! We will be holding on tight either way to the passport and visa!
Sep 30th 2016, 8:22 pm
#11
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Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
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Re: Is ESTA needed?
Every time I have flown from the US to the UK I have been asked again at the gate to produce a passport.
Oct 2nd 2016, 8:17 pm
#12
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Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Is ESTA needed?
I've been out three times this year and I've always had to produce my boarding card and passport before boarding the flight.
Also, when checking in myself and my bag I've been asked whether I'm travelling on an ESTA or a visa. (They've never asked to see either though.)
Oct 2nd 2016, 8:32 pm
#13
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Re: Is ESTA needed?
Passport at the gate is usually to check that the name on the photo ID still matches the name on the boarding pass. I've never been asked to show my visa at the gate.
