Do I need to get an ESTA ?
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 80
Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Hi, I'm flying out from the the U.K. to the states in September to activate my U.S. visa. However I need to return back to England afterwards. I'm wondering do I need to still set up an ESTA?
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
#2
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Cascade Mountains, WA
Posts: 1,089
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
No, you don't. You will become a permanent resident upon arrival and have no further need for any visas for the USA ever again unless you abandon your residency.
#3
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
ESTA is for those looking to enter on the Visa Waiver Program. Since you'll have a visa it's not required.
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 80
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Thank you for the quick replies, that's great, really appreciate you taking the time to clear this up for me.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 84
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Hi, I'm flying out from the the U.K. to the states in September to activate my U.S. visa.
Depending on the visa, Stevie may need to leave and reenter to renew the visa period. For instance, an L1 visa is initially valid for 5 years, but can be extended to 7. However, one may only remain in the USA for a contiguous period of 3 years. As I understand a short trip in and out of Canada suffices to break that contiguity.
'Permanent residency' and 'resident alien' are not the same thing.
It is correct that the ESTA thing is no longer needed, when you have a Visa.
Last edited by ubernathan; Aug 16th 2017 at 1:03 pm.
#6
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Nope. If Stevie is on a visa, it will have a timeout period. 'Permanent Residence' is more commonly referred to as a Green Card, which is not a visa. Even that needs renewing every 10 years. (Visa holders go through the 'visitor' immigration queue. GC holders go through the 'Citizens and LPRs' queue.)
Depending on the visa, Stevie may need to leave and reenter to renew the visa period. For instance, an L1 visa is initially valid for 5 years, but can be extended to 7. However, one may only remain in the USA for a contiguous period of 3 years. As I understand a short trip in and out of Canada suffices to break that contiguity.
'Permanent residency' and 'resident alien' are not the same thing.
It is correct that the ESTA thing is no longer needed, when you have a Visa.
Depending on the visa, Stevie may need to leave and reenter to renew the visa period. For instance, an L1 visa is initially valid for 5 years, but can be extended to 7. However, one may only remain in the USA for a contiguous period of 3 years. As I understand a short trip in and out of Canada suffices to break that contiguity.
'Permanent residency' and 'resident alien' are not the same thing.
It is correct that the ESTA thing is no longer needed, when you have a Visa.
His wife is a USC and he is entering on a CR/IR visa. He will be a permanent resident for immigration purposes upon entering the USA.
Please don't confuse things.
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 251
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Nope. If Stevie is on a visa, it will have a timeout period. 'Permanent Residence' is more commonly referred to as a Green Card, which is not a visa. Even that needs renewing every 10 years. (Visa holders go through the 'visitor' immigration queue. GC holders go through the 'Citizens and LPRs' queue.)
Depending on the visa, Stevie may need to leave and reenter to renew the visa period. For instance, an L1 visa is initially valid for 5 years, but can be extended to 7. However, one may only remain in the USA for a contiguous period of 3 years. As I understand a short trip in and out of Canada suffices to break that contiguity.
'Permanent residency' and 'resident alien' are not the same thing.
It is correct that the ESTA thing is no longer needed, when you have a Visa.
Depending on the visa, Stevie may need to leave and reenter to renew the visa period. For instance, an L1 visa is initially valid for 5 years, but can be extended to 7. However, one may only remain in the USA for a contiguous period of 3 years. As I understand a short trip in and out of Canada suffices to break that contiguity.
'Permanent residency' and 'resident alien' are not the same thing.
It is correct that the ESTA thing is no longer needed, when you have a Visa.
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 84
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
With the exception of some visas not having timeouts, what I said was correct.
Last edited by ubernathan; Aug 16th 2017 at 1:05 pm.
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 84
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Hi, I'm flying out from the the U.K. to the states in September to activate my U.S. visa. However I need to return back to England afterwards. I'm wondering do I need to still set up an ESTA?
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 251
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Some people are here everyday or just simply remember the OP's backstory or did a quick look at his first ever post and noticed he was getting a CR visa as he's been married to a United States citizen for a bit. Everyone is not expected to know this so when another poster simply mentions an additional detail, there's no need to get all combative when all that's needed is a 'my bad.' Sheesh.
#14
Banned
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 364
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Totally agree with you. OP did not mention what visa they are using. Ignore the others that expect people to search peoples previous posts just to find impprtant info they did not bother to mention.
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,134
Re: Do I need to get an ESTA ?
Time for the children to go back to their playpen. Stevie P got his answer in #2 &3.