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Save $14 USD if Travelling to The US in The Next Couple of Years

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Save $14 USD if Travelling to The US in The Next Couple of Years
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Lzac on 07/09/2010 - 19:13 esta.cbp.dhs.gov (2219 clicks)

If you are travelling to the US from a visa waiver country like Australia you need to fill out a ESTA form online (has been like this for a couple of years I think). You do it once and you're good for the next couple of years and you don't need any specific details like flight numbers or whatever, just your passport numbers. If you do it from after the 8th (ie after tomorrow), they'll be charging $14 US, so really no reason not to quickly fill one out tonight!

Some links to new fees to be implemented:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1193/~/esta-fee…
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/theglobaltraveller/2010/08/us-…

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  • agoodtip on 07/09/2010 - 19:23

    Thanks for the heads-up.

    However, looks like the site isn't coping too well :(

  • undercut on 07/09/2010 - 19:54

    thanks zac! Very useful info

  • 777 on 07/09/2010 - 19:58

    it will be 24 not 14 . extra 10 authorization charge on top of 14
    not sure if it was valid for two year though,but it is

    http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/business_pleasure/…

    • mvjs on 07/09/2010 - 20:20
      +1

      No, it's $10 on top of the $4 charge. US$ of course.

      • 777 on 07/09/2010 - 20:26

        bugger read 4 as 14!

  • sash213 on 07/09/2010 - 20:14

    Great work zac. I forgot about this. Appreciate the effort

  • igoforthebest on 07/09/2010 - 20:23

    going to US on thursday :)

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 20:34

      Then you NEED to fill in the ESTA request

      I am not sure what happens if you dont fill it in but it has been a requirement since 2009

  • bargrin on 07/09/2010 - 20:25
    +1

    Yanks must be short of cash these days… oh well anything to help out the less fortunate :)

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 20:34
      +2

      The money raised goes toward advertising the USA in other countries

    • Tenebrae on 08/09/2010 - 09:01

      Are you kidding? Their national debt now exceeds the Gross Domestic Product of the entire world. The US is bankrupt!

  • Gavman on 07/09/2010 - 20:29
    -1

    it asks for carrier tho. does it matter if u put in one carrier airline but when i do book a trip happen to choose another airlines?

    • Gavman on 07/09/2010 - 20:30
      -1

      it also asked for vessel number! so description is very incorrect unless it is not mandatory to fill this in…please some1 review this!!

      • fufufu on 07/09/2010 - 20:33
        +1

        Click on the question mark mate:

        "Choose the carrier name for the carrier on which you will be traveling to the United States, if your travel information is available. The carrier name is optional to complete the application."

        • Gavman on 07/09/2010 - 20:33

          thanks mate..just read it cheers

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 20:34

      You only need to fill in the information with a red star.
      You can leave everything else blank

  • fufufu on 07/09/2010 - 20:34
    +4

    "Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies?"

    What is this I don't even…

    • lovedeals on 07/09/2010 - 20:37
      +4

      The answer is 'YES'

      • SomeGuyOnOzB on 07/09/2010 - 22:47
        +1

        and although there's a very low probability we'll get asked about it, I'll clarify that lovedeals appears to be joking

    • slowmo on 08/09/2010 - 13:06

      you might be one of those twilight characters that lives across eras. ;)

      they just had to make sure so that they'll prepare a special welcome committee when you arrive.

  • Turd on 07/09/2010 - 20:42

    Already got mine ages ago. Lucky I did it then….

    USA must be getting poor.

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 20:59
      -1

      Already got mine ages ago. Lucky I did it then….

      You can reapply to extend it

      USA must be getting poor.

      Has nothing to do with it

  • Gavman on 07/09/2010 - 20:56

    Says my application cannot be authorized as this staged. authorization pending. check back in 72 hours. Does everyone get this same message? is it standard message?

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 21:00

      When i have done the applications in the past they have been instant but now there is the pending message.
      I guess it has to do with the number of applicants.

    • sydshopper on 08/09/2010 - 12:25

      It will most be probably be approved tomorrow. I applied for myself and some family members. Depending on the time of day I did them, they came as approved or pending.

      • Tiger on 08/09/2010 - 13:41

        I have a feeling that they go into "pending" if you complete the application for someone else and tick the last box to say that it's been read out to them.

  • CryssieJade on 07/09/2010 - 21:18

    this is a pretty good deal!
    I've got a 5 year visa tho :o)

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 21:34

      If you have a Visa for the USA then ESTA does not apply.

      ESTA is only if you are entering the USA through the Visa Waiver Program

      • CryssieJade on 07/09/2010 - 21:47

        Yes, I know that.
        My 5 year visa is a different deal entirely.
        I've stayed in the US so long I may as well be a citizen, but I like this because it's a good deal for those who need the Waiver program.

        • SomeGuyOnOzB on 07/09/2010 - 22:51

          Do you know what is the difference between travel on a visa and travel on a visa waiver?

          My girlfriend just asked me about going to the US :) and I don't know what this is about (plus I'm getting problems loading that page so I can't read what it's for)

          I'm in. There seems to be sufficient info there to answer my questions, thanks :)

          • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 23:40

            @SomeGuyOnOzB: As you probably read, you need a visa if you are staying for more than 90 days.
            A visa is also needed if you have criminal convictions or are resident in a country which does not participate in the waiver programe.

          • SomeGuyOnOzB on 08/09/2010 - 14:00

            @SomeGuyOnOzB: Thanks

            and a bunch of other reasons too, including:
            - staying for commercial purposes
            - doing work for the "foreign information media"

  • Gavman on 07/09/2010 - 21:30

    so how long exactly is the waiver valid for?

    • anthony on 07/09/2010 - 21:32

      Visa waiver is for as long as the USA and Australia participate.

      ESTA has nothing to do with a Visa

      • Gavman on 07/09/2010 - 21:42

        i signed up with my passport today…does my visa waiver have an expiry date. would i have to re-apply if i dont go to usa by a certain time?

  • dirtycarrot on 07/09/2010 - 21:59

    Thanks, heading there next year, this was on my todo list but didn't realise they were going to start charging for it!

  • modsec802 on 07/09/2010 - 22:10

    Slow load times, but thanks!

  • twilsoncrow on 07/09/2010 - 22:21

    One of the more unusual bargains. Big positive vote from me.

    Thanks for sharing this one!

  • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2010 - 22:35

    thanks matey….may not use it, but can't hurt to register

  • immature on 07/09/2010 - 22:49

    Thanks for the heads up! Already have my ETSA though, and it looks like it's valid for multiple entries :)

    • delantro on 07/09/2010 - 23:00
      +4

      that's what she said!

      • johnnyb on 08/09/2010 - 02:21

        Haha love it.

    • drewbles on 08/09/2010 - 09:29

      It's valid for 2 years, but you can 'renew' at any time. I visit the US several times a year, but will 'renew' my ESTA today so I get another two years. I don't feel like paying money where I don't need to ;)

  • dirtybird on 07/09/2010 - 23:14

    Your passport fees are also on the rise come Jan 1st 2011, so save a little more and get one before then if you need it.

  • nowlan on 07/09/2010 - 23:17

    And im reading this now?

  • lovedeals on 08/09/2010 - 00:12

    ESTA is undergoing routine maintenance. Please check back later.

    • xuqi on 08/09/2010 - 00:40

      Yes, the spies figured out we were trying to rip the US off.

  • gimme on 08/09/2010 - 00:38

    good find! the website was dog slow but managed to get it done. approved within a couple of hours

  • amsaini15 on 08/09/2010 - 00:47

    ITS still showing "ESTA is undergoing routine maintenance. Please check back later."
    gimme, At what time did you attempt to apply? I guess we should still be able to apply in australia as its not 8th sept yet in US?

    • johnnyb on 08/09/2010 - 02:24

      Working for me now… slow.

      EDIT: Big big thankyou to the poster.

  • Tiger on 08/09/2010 - 08:37

    That website is driving me insane!

  • amsaini15 on 08/09/2010 - 09:57

    Do you think permanent resident of Aus but citizen of another country would require ESTA or proper travel visa?
    and yeah Thanks to the poster !!

    • FloatingPoint on 08/09/2010 - 10:14

      It all depends on what country of passport you've got.

    • anthony on 08/09/2010 - 10:23

      If you enter the USA using your Australian passport then you can enter under the visa waiver program (you still need to fill in the ESTA)

      The need for a visa/ESTA to enter using a passport from the country you hold citizenship in would depend if they are part of the visa waiver program.

  • g_bontch on 08/09/2010 - 10:40

    It's still 7th in USA - just applied and got authorisation immediately.

  • agoodtip on 08/09/2010 - 11:55

    Saved me 3x14/0.9 = AUD47.

    Thank you Zac and OzBargain!

  • Trance N Dance on 08/09/2010 - 13:21

    Well this put me off going to the USA.

    • agoodtip on 08/09/2010 - 14:39

      Did you miss out on the free ESTA? If you did, is a $15 fee really going to put you off visiting a country? It costs more to get into Bali!

  • Tiger on 08/09/2010 - 13:51

    This just in on SMH.

    http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/entry-fee-for-aussi…

    • agoodtip on 08/09/2010 - 14:37

      old news ;)

  • prankster on 08/09/2010 - 15:19

    can we still join it? coz 8th is going by USA date right?

    but i can't get in the site :(

  • OSienna on 08/09/2010 - 15:19

    Website seems to be overwhelmed at the moment… does not respond.

  • nuggnuggs on 08/09/2010 - 16:06

    Can we still apply?

  • nuggnuggs on 08/09/2010 - 16:18
    -3

    https://www.australia-esta.com:454/main/Information.asp I think this link works better

    • Save Medicare on 08/09/2010 - 16:21

      "This website has no connection with the United States Government. "

    • Save Medicare on 08/09/2010 - 16:21

      oops double post

    • dyziplen on 08/09/2010 - 17:39

      one word, SCAM.

  • nuggnuggs on 08/09/2010 - 16:27

    yeh just realised :(

  • rodzy on 08/09/2010 - 17:27

    The website seems back, but it's too late - they want the $14!!

    • prankster on 08/09/2010 - 17:32

      CONFIRMED, they want $14!! (&(#$&($&()#&#*$&#)#$
      unbeleivable
      so when it was down, i think they were upgrading for the payment option
      GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

      • littlemissbargain on 08/09/2010 - 18:33
        +1

        awwww why didn't i read this earlier?!?!?! :(

  • dorothi_toto on 08/09/2010 - 22:10
    -2

    probably a scam to collect information. now they have a database full of people's passport details and identity. yes i didn't read earlier either and now it's too late. details are already submitted. they have my details!!

    • anthony on 08/09/2010 - 23:32

      It is not a scam.
      It is a requirment if you want to enter the USA under the visa waiver program

    • dirtybird on 09/09/2010 - 08:50

      No scam if you visited https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

      Before this new fee was introduced there were a number of sites offering the Visa Waiver Program but would also charge you. That was sort of a scam because you could do it yourself for nothing.

      You will still need to fill out all the required cards they hand out on the plane/ship before you pass thru immigration.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 09/09/2010 - 12:32

      confused

      -> Dorothi

      Are you talking about the esta website or the australia-esta?

      Are you saying some unidentified group is trying to collect our info or the US government is trying to collect our info?

      When you say

      yes I didn't read earlier either

      It sounds like you are replying to littlemissbargain. But littlemissbargain is lamenting that she missed out on the deal, whereas it sounds like you think littlemissbargain was lamenting about reading a detail.

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 12/10/2010 - 23:47

    Does the visa waiver work with all passports or is it restricted to certain ones?

    eg e-Passports, smart Passports, the ones with RFID chips …

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