MrGMT

Hi Guys

Great forum by the way,

I have a question I was wondering if one of you guys could answer

Basically I registered online via ESTA for the visa waiver for me and my wife to travel to the USA, once done I did get the ok to say it was accepted and permisson granted to enter, but I didnt write down the refrence number mainly thinking I would get an email,

Will this be a problem what do you advice from here


Thanks in advance


Gary

lansbury

You do not need your application number to board your flight. That number is transmitted electronically to the airlines.

That comes from the ESTA web site

MrGMT

so I will not have a problem going through customs not having the reference number to hand. I have everything else passprt etc.

Duncan Roberts

You may find that the airline wont let you check in without printed proof you applied since they get fined if they transport people who haven't applied. On the other hand, they might not care.

MrGMT

Can you do it more than once, cos if thats the case then I will do it again and print it with the refrence this time

Duncan Roberts

As far as I know you can do it as many times as you want. I think it even tells you to submit a new application if you accidentally fill in certain bits of info wrong. Check the website.

lansbury

But as the DHS send the ESTA details to the airline why would that be a problem?

ian-mstm

Just so you know, even though you're cleared through ESTA, it is still up to the officer's sole discretion at the port of entry whether or not to allow you to enter the US. ESTA allows you to knock on the door... it isn't a guarantee of entry.

Ian

lisa67

FWIW we have visitors at the moment from the UK (parents and brother) they weren't asked for their ESTA confirmation number at POE.
You will still have to fill in an I-94 even though you have filled the ESTA form in online

Duncan Roberts

Because they're airlines! It's hit or miss, one time they almost wouldn't let me check because I was using advance parole. Had to talk to 3 people before they finally realized they were morons and that I wasn't traveling on the VWP, wasn't using a visa, wasn't a citizen and didn't have a greencard. Like I said, it may not be a problem but if it was me I know I would get the numpty that insisted on seeing the proof before checking me in. I also think when you fill it out it does say on there to print and take it with you.

DeanUK2US

I always carry a hard copy of my authorisation, but I believe that the ESTA ref is paired with your passport number, so when your passport number is checked so is your ESTA clearance.

scrubbedexpat099

No wonder there is confusion, I few back yesterday and the cabin staff did not seem to understand the difderence between ESTA and the I-94.

And I also heard a lot of comments on the line of we filled it in on line.

Ben W Bell

I'm constantly back and forth between Canada and New York on a British passport. I carry my ESTA printout with me in the passport. Never needed it, but the immigration officer said it's a good idea to carry it with you just in case it's needed.