News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on To Conference Organisers Everywhere. Parent comment

Re:To Conference Organisers Everywhere by domh on Monday August 21, 2023 @05:32AM (#37207182)
It's not technically a visa, but you must have an ESTA which is like a pre-approval for a visa and is required for all flights to USA from participating countries. Then on arrival it's up to the border patrol to determine you're validity for entry and issue you with a 90 day "visa".

From your link:

> Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.

So it's not as complex as the visa process and can be all done online. The ESTA lasts for 2 years (as far as I can remember).

edit: spelling

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:To Conference Organisers Everywhere by yencabulator on Monday August 21, 2023 @01:27PM (#37212661)
The ESTA is not a visa and when using the Visa Waiver Program you do not have a visa. The Visa Waiver Program existed before ESTA.

Think of ESTA as an opportunity to search for you in terrorist & crime databases ahead of time, as doing it at the time of the entry is logistically hard.

[ Parent | on HN ]