Returning to America after 4 years for a visit.

[RubyWine 0]

Well its been quite a while since I posted here and I'm not sure if anybody will even remember me but I did once used to be one of the 'old' regulars on VJ!

After four years me and hubby are returning to the US for a visit and I'm kind of stuck on what has or has not changed regarding British Citizens travelling to the US.

Last time I travelling under a spousal visa and before that it was the visa waiver programme and as far as I am aware I think as a brit I am eligable to still travel under the visa waiver programme?

I have filled in an online Electronic System for Travel Authorization and thats gone through great with the message Authorization Approved been sent to me but somebody has mentioned that he had to pay about £30 for his online application but nowhere have I found it asking me to pay anything! Which leads me to think he may have gone via an online agent that dealt with his applciation.

Can anybody put me on the right track please and let me know if I have done what is needed or do I need to do anything else (like pay, or get a stamp in my passport)?

Its just that we went through so much with our fiance and spousal process that I don't want anything to go wrong at all so am trying to cover every avenue possible!

Pauline

[_Simpson_ 250]

Im somewhat of a newbie and I dont remember you and have no answer for your question, sorry.

What they dont have internet in England!, you couldn't stop in and say hi? Im sure some of the elders missed you.

Edited July 8, 2009 by looking_up

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah I remember you ..lol

sorry can't help with your question just wanted to drop by and say hi.. so hi...

Edited July 8, 2009 by Marilyn.

[Ban Hammer 14,206]

i remember you. see, no alzheimer's

[RubyWine 0]

wooo hooo - 2 out of 3 for remembering me is not so bad at all lol

I kind of 'think' I am right but I really just want to make double sure and for the amount of british that travel to the US before filing for their fiance/spousal visas are bound to be found on this forum - after all I'm sure its still the best!!!!

[tmma 467]

I remember you! It's a guarantee you don't know ####### I am though because I was too scared to open an account and post questions prior to March 06.

Sorry I can't answer your question-but I am sure someone on here can...or maybe in the UK forum?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Your screen name sounded familiar, but it was your custom cakes that I remember most! Hello and welcome back!

Edited July 8, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[almaty 19]

wooo hooo - 2 out of 3 for remembering me is not so bad at all lol

I kind of 'think' I am right but I really just want to make double sure and for the amount of british that travel to the US before filing for their fiance/spousal visas are bound to be found on this forum - after all I'm sure its still the best!!!!

of course i remember you sweet sister pauline..cool to see you post again

[RubyWine 0]

It's great to see some familiar 'faces' and I am goign to have a go read some of the post to see if I can recognise anybody else and see what has been going on!

[rebeccajo 14]

Hey Pauline - long time no see!

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

ESTA is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA application collects the same information collected on Form I-94W. ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans.

International visitors to the U.S. from Visa Waiver Program countries are now required to apply for travel authorization online.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ESTA)

ADVISORY STATEMENT

Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a U.S. government Web site.

DHS does not charge VWP travelers a fee for completion of an ESTA™ application. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel authorization via the ESTA™ Web site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA™ and for submitting ESTA™ applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Again, the United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA™ Web site. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA™ will not expedite the granting of approval.

The ESTA™ application Web site is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. Additional information about ESTA™ may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/esta.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Hi and welcome back! Rebecca quoted the relevant ESTA material - it's free. My parents (Germany) used this as well when they came and visited earlier this year. Mom has actually made a second trip already on the same authorization - it's good for 2 years, I think.

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

I remember you also Pauline You painted the rocks! My screenname used to be Julie, maybe you remember me also

Safe travels to the US!

[Fandango 1,440]

Hey Pauline! I remember you

Ladies and gents, this poster makes THE COOLEST cake toppers ever. You were gonna make mine, but the engagement was called off a month before his interview.

I don't have any answers for you, but I did wanna say hello Have a great trip and hope you are well!

[*JG* 2]

Hi Ruby.

Rebeccajo is the queen of answers!

[RubyWine 0]

Hey Pauline - long time no see!

Hey Rebecca - yes it has been a long time!!

thanks a lot as you have just confirmed it for me and whereas before I was 99.9% sure I had done the right thing - now that I'm 100% .so thanks!! and how are things with you these days!

Yah squirrel, fancy you remembering I painted the rocks! I had a lot of fun doing those and made a bit of pocket money as well! Funny really because was talking last week that I miss doing them and actually brought home 5 rocks from a trip to hopefully get back into again soon!!

Hey Julie, yes I think I do remember you!! Did you have a bit of a bad time and had to scrap plans?

Happy Bunny - ah bless thanks for that <blushing> and happy to say I've come a long long way with my toppers since I was here last......so much so I am a registered business and work from home with posting my toppers worldwide!!! Love it!

Thanks everybody else for helping and making me so 'welcomed back' and I'm going to see if I can keep up!

Pauline