USA ESTA issues.

[NorvilleRogers]

Not sure if this is a general chat or "mess" topic as it is aviation related, but it's here for now.

Has anybody had their USA ESTA revoked in the last few months? This has occured to a few spotters recently following USA trips where they have been "checked" by security and a while later an email arrived to say their ESTA is no longer valid (no explantion provided).

Might be worth checking your ESTA status if your planning a USA trip this year and you have been stopped in the last 12 months and your details noted. As always it pays to be cautious when visiting bases outside the UK.

[Alf]

Certainly know of one UK based spotter who has had this recently and has now cancelled their USA summer trip while it is (hopefully) being resolved.

[STN RAMP RAT]

Bumping the topic to the mess for visibility.

[TonyO]

Have these people had any explanation from the DHS about why their ESTA has been invalidated? Out of interest were they making base visits or claiming to work for a magazine?

[Alf]

There are also some messages on Mil Spotters (MSF) today from what looks like a group of spotters who have also had their ESTA revoked following a US spotting trip, so it looks like something has occured or changed in recent months.

[raameagle]

Any word on where the spotters were when they got their details taken?

[Thunder]

or why their details were taken?

[STN RAMP RAT]

There are also some messages on Mil Spotters (MSF) today from what looks like a group of spotters who have also had their ESTA revoked following a US spotting trip, so it looks like something has occured or changed in recent months.

Is that correct? From what I can see the thread was hijacked into a discussion about ESTA’s being issued on Hungarian passports being one time use. There was no indication that the group lost their ESTA’s

Or have I read it wrong.

[raameagle]

Here we go, two plus two equals five lol

[slogen51]

Always wise to check your esta status before you pay for a flight

I had issues a few years ago and ended up receiving a visa redress number - I didn't receive any explanation, they said they can't give me a reason for security reasons which is quite frustrating

Sometimes you can have problems for simply having the wrong name that clashes with someone on a no fly list

[NorvilleRogers]

or why their details were taken?

A lot of USN/USMC shows now filter foreign nationals into their own entry queue and record passport details and take your photo. Cherry Point last year were very thorough at this, as are Miramar. Not sure what they do with that data afterwards though.

[Thunder]

Wasn’t aware of that, but can’t see how that would invalidate your ESTA.

[XWP29]

Just returned from the USA yesterday we were on base at Nellis 6th and 7th and at March 12th and 13th for the airshows, spotted at Luke, DM, Yuma and El Centro, absolutely no issues. USAF members and the public were welcoming and chatted freely with us.
On entry at Vegas at least no paper Esta required as its electronic.
Nellis and March no Passport checks.

[Fighterfoto]

I was out there in March and similarly had no issues, but that’s not the point here. If some have had their ESTAs revoked then it would be very helpful to know where and what circumstances led to it.

[XWP29]

I was out there in March and similarly had no issues, but that’s not the point here. If some have had their ESTAs revoked then it would be very helpful to know where and what circumstances led to it.

It’s well known that US Borders and Customs (and hyped in the press) have increased activity since the change of President. There were many U.K. and EU people out there.

Some reasons why they are rejected:
https://e-visa.co.uk/usa/news/esta-rejected

[Keflavik69]

Last year Immigration kept me in an office for 4 hours because I was suddenly a potential suspect. In the end it turned out to be that I had given my fingerprints in order to enter USMC Yuma airshow in 2019. In the end I was allowed in after much explaining by me. They advised me to get a visum instead of ESTA because I would have the same problem entering the USA each time. After finding out they gave my mobile phone to a Lebanese guy who was refused entry and put back on the plane I decided that was the final time I went to that country.

[raptor9]

Used to be so easy in the old days. Dave and I going to Oshkosh every two years, wearing Oshkosh related polo shirts. Get to passport control, guy says 'hey, you two guys going to Oshkosh?' Reply in the affirmative, passport stamped and that was it. Wife and I cruising in the Carrib. going into the U.S. Virgin Islands more recently. EVERYBODY in the lounges at 7.30 a.m. irrespective of getting off the ship or not, 3 guys checking 2,500 passengers. Not fun!. Not much in love with modern life these days compared to old times!!.

[slogen51]

As an aside I noticed ( because I had my passport out for Konya application) that since 2023 US immigration don't appear to be stamping passports anymore? My last stamp was in March 23 but I have since been in August 24 and January 25 without any stamps showing. Only just noticed.