ESTA Resources

Introduction The Trump administration's opposition to sanctuary cities continues apace. News reports have been building throughout the first week of March to the effect that Jeff Sessions, the current Attorney General of the USA, is planning on suing California over its sanctuary city laws. Sanctuary cities are well known for the fact that they protect undocumented immigrants from laws and enforcement…

Introduction ESTA website problems are rare but can be frustrating for travelers on tight timelines. Website technical issues are inherent to any online system, especially those supporting a high volume of users. Although the ESTA systems maintains a high uptime of over 99%, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) typically performs necessary updates on the ESTA website on the weekends, most frequently…

Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States, is a treasure trove of history, politics, and culture. Home to iconic landmarks such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian museums, it's a must-visit destination for any traveler keen on understanding the American narrative. But before you can immerse yourself in the depth of this city's offerings, there's the matter of…

Introduction The USA currently has a list of countries that participate in its 'visa waiver scheme'. This scheme enables travellers who fulfil certain criteria (for example, the absence of a criminal record and the absence of any other visa violations) to enter the USA for tourism purposes without a visa at the immigration officer's discretion, and to stay there for up to 90 days. Many of these countries,…

Introduction In January 2018, the White House shut down due to a dispute over the budget and the apportioning of government funds. Whilst shutdowns are not unheard of for any US government (in 2013, the government shut down under the Obama Administration due to a dispute about Obamacare legislation), what is notable about this shutdown is that it has been brought to bear directly on USA immigration…

Introduction Orlando, Florida, often referred to as the "Theme Park Capital of the World," offers a plethora of experiences that are both entertaining and enriching. However, before stepping into this magical city of roller coasters, majestic castles, and dazzling parades, there are some entry requirements that international visitors need to fulfill. This article aims to guide you through the processes…

Swayed by hardliners regarding immigration in the first few weeks of 2018, and an avowed immigration hardliner himself, president Trump had aimed to prevent the recipients of the DACA programme from being granted legal status in the US. Furthermore, the Trump administration announced early in 2018 that it aimed to follow through on previously floated plans to abolish the DACA programme altogether.…

Introduction Earlier this year, in a significant item of ESTA and USA immigration news, the Trump Administration suspended all of its non-immigrant visa services for Turkish citizens. This was in response to the arrest of a US citizen in Turkey. This USA visa news item broke in October 2017 and now, in the final week of 2017, the USA has announced that it will be resuming full visa services in Turkey…

Introduction One of the United States' most vibrant and culturally rich cities, New Orleans offers a unique blend of historical heritage, mouth-watering cuisine, and diverse musical traditions. Whether you're interested in touring the French Quarter, partaking in the annual Mardi Gras celebrations, or exploring the various jazz clubs, there's something for everyone. But before you can soak in the…

Introduction We reported recently that the US government had caused confusion and chaos by making the process for gaining H-1B visas more arduous. This wave of changes also affected another type of visa: the L1 visa. This was mainly due to the Trump Administration's plans to include mandatory interviews and additional checks for applications to what had previously been a smooth and efficient visa…