EmilysDad Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Hi, have valid visitor visa for entry in to AUS. Usually travel via East/ Singapore/Dubai etc. This time flights are via USA. No intention or plans to leave the airport.. Do I need a visa ? ESTA?? Neither??? many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Afraid so. Transiting through the US is painful, you need to go through immigration regardless of final destination so you need some kind of visa or visa waiver in place: certainly when going through LA you need to get your bags, go through immigration and check bags in again (at least you did in early 2020 when I had to do it). Qantas has a guide to what to do on their website; your carrier might have as well as I can't speak for whether bags are checked through in Newark or anything on that side of the country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html This page talks about transiting through and what visa you need 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunfreo Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Yes if holding UK passport As well as holidaymakers and businessmen, regardless of the project, travelers who need to make a stopover in the USA are obliged to submit an application for ESTA transit authorization Taken from the ESTA info site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilysDad Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 Thanks so much for the replies, can I clarify it’s an ESTA needed. Not a visa..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtritudr Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 As long as you are eligible for an ESTA then you can use that instead of a visa. However, if your ESTA application is denied then you will have to get a visa which requires an in-person interview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilysDad Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 Thank you so much, I eventually found the Qantas site which is much clearer than the British one. As UK (and Aus) are included in the visa waive scheme an ESTA is needed, costs $21us and has to be applied at least 72 hours before departure 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilysDad Posted October 30, 2022 Author Share Posted October 30, 2022 To complete… Esta approved and valid until Oct 2024 application and process quite straightforward even for a tech phobic like me.. aside from ID details it’s mainly a series of yes/no questions to answer, pay your money and then wait… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerVoice Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 On 26/10/2022 at 18:29, EmilysDad said: Thank you so much, I eventually found the Qantas site which is much clearer than the British one. As UK (and Aus) are included in the visa waive scheme an ESTA is needed, costs $21us and has to be applied at least 72 hours before departure On 31/10/2022 at 02:06, EmilysDad said: To complete… Esta approved and valid until Oct 2024 application and process quite straightforward even for a tech phobic like me.. aside from ID details it’s mainly a series of yes/no questions to answer, pay your money and then wait… This is good to know for future reference. Thanks for posting the process and outcome. So if you visit the USA as a tourist do you need to attend an interview in person to get a tourist visa these days? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 1 hour ago, InnerVoice said: This is good to know for future reference. Thanks for posting the process and outcome. So if you visit the USA as a tourist do you need to attend an interview in person to get a tourist visa these days? The only person I know who has had to do an in-person interview has a minor criminal conviction (was caught with a joint in his possession a few years back and got community service, but apparently it's enough to trigger the need for a proper visa). The ESTA is completely online if you're eligible for one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerVoice Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 9 minutes ago, Eera said: The only person I know who has had to do an in-person interview has a minor criminal conviction (was caught with a joint in his possession a few years back and got community service, but apparently it's enough to trigger the need for a proper visa). The ESTA is completely online if you're eligible for one. Thanks - we were thinking about a trip to Hawaii later this year, so this is good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtritudr Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 5 hours ago, InnerVoice said: This is good to know for future reference. Thanks for posting the process and outcome. So if you visit the USA as a tourist do you need to attend an interview in person to get a tourist visa these days? If you've been to a naughty country (e.g., Iran, Iraq or Sudan, but there are more) then you will need to apply for a visa and cannot use ESTA. It will tell you that when you apply for the ESTA. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 16 hours ago, InnerVoice said: Thanks - we were thinking about a trip to Hawaii later this year, so this is good to know. Be warned, if you do need a visa with interview etc it can take 6 months or more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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