ESTA (US electronic visa waiver) experiences [merged threads]

**Markie** · Aug 1, 08, 1:15 am

My old passport was full, and after repeated complaints by US immigration I bought a new one. As the old one was not expired, the new one got 10 years and 6 months validity.

The ESTA system only accepts passports with a maximum 10 year validity.

I have written:

Your system has rejected my application because my passport expiry date is more than ten years after the start date.
In the UK, if you surrender a passport that is not expired, because it is full, you can have a new passport with a validity of 10 years and 6 months.
Your system does not accommodate this.
What should I do?

Let's see what happens.

pinkcat · Aug 1, 08, 4:23 am

First of many, no doubt, I am holding off using it until January just in case there are other glaring omissions

SP0 · Aug 1, 08, 5:10 am

I confirmed with the UK Passport Agency today - apparently validity > 10 year is quite normal, and happens when you renew a passport which still has some life on it. You can get up to 9 months above the 10 year limit, so anyone who has renewed a still-valid passport will fail the screen validation on the ESTA system. Aargh.

dsab · Aug 1, 08, 7:09 am

I found another problem with the ESTA. My (german) passport number is 10 digits lomg, but the system will only allow a maximum of 9 digits.

**Jenbel** · Aug 1, 08, 7:40 am

But of course all passport systems around the world are exactly the same as the US system

mott · Aug 1, 08, 8:22 am

Just called BCP in US - totally unhelpful.Said he would "pass my comments on"
He also had no number for ESTA and seemed somewhat nonplussed about the whole business,saying I must have an "incorrectly issued passport" to which I responded that it had got me into the US for the past 6 years!

Roger · Aug 1, 08, 8:22 am

I realised as a visa holder I probably would not use this system and would have to complete the paper form. I hadn't realised that my wife would not qualify for ESTA having a passport valid 10+ years.

If the system is not changed, she will presumably have to apply for a visa with the resultant cost in time and money. Or not, of course, if she doesn't visit the States again. Why would anybody apply for a visa if it wasn't necessary?

**Jenbel** · Aug 1, 08, 8:29 am

mott - welcome to delurked posting!

Global_Hi_Flyer · Aug 1, 08, 9:24 am

Well, since Chertoff believes that ANY ID must expire in 10 years or less (see RealID), we must enforce our standard on the rest of the world.

Arrogant bureaucrats.

alanR · Aug 1, 08, 12:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markie

My old passport was full, and after repeated complaints by US immigration I bought a new one. As the old one was not expired, the new one got 10 years and 6 months validity.

The ESTA system only accepts passports with a maximum 10 year validity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsab

I found another problem with the ESTA. My (german) passport number is 10 digits lomg, but the system will only allow a maximum of 9 digits.

Hands up those who think the "solution" will be for people to apply for a visa - after all isn't this one of the purposes of ESTA, to get rid of the Visa Waiver Program

Wally Bird · Aug 1, 08, 12:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanR

isn't this one of the purposes of ESTA, to get rid of the Visa Waiver Program

And then to bar "foreign" visitors altogether.

mott · Aug 1, 08, 1:15 pm

Just a thought - I have an expired passport from the 80s with an unlimited entry visa.Would this still work?!?

Gatwick Alan · Aug 1, 08, 1:22 pm

Its a double whammy. You are required to have 6 months validity on your passport to enter most countries, so naturally you renew before then, and this gives you an invalid passport.
It would appear the only way into the U.S will be to let your passport expire before you renew.

I wonder what happens if you use a passport that expires in less than 2 years, as ESTA is supposed to last for 2 years.

As things stand i will not be able to take my U.S holidays next year.

Gatwick Alan · Aug 1, 08, 1:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mott

Just a thought - I have an expired passport from the 80s with an unlimited entry visa.Would this still work?!?

It might get you in once, but they will cancel it once you arrive, at least thats what happened to me. They said just use the Visa Waiver

pinkcat · Aug 1, 08, 2:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatwick Alan

I wonder what happens if you use a passport that expires in less than 2 years, as ESTA is supposed to last for 2 years.

As things stand i will not be able to take my U.S holidays next year.

You can enter a new passport number during the 2 years

My Husband will not be able to get ESTA approval either, his passport is 10 years 3 months, ...Anyone fancy a nice trip to Canada instead????