Do cruise passengers answer In Transit on the ESTA application?
We will be travelling on a cruise ship from the UK to New York, going ashore for a couple of hours then departing same day to the Caribbean visiting various countries, returning to New York, going ashore again for a few hours and then returning to the UK. It will be the same ship the whole time. New York is one of the reasons we chose this cruise along with all the other destinations, which include US islands.
Do we answer the question "In Transit" YES or NO?
Best Answer
"In transit" means that the main purpose of your 'visit' is as a stopping point to get from one place to another. I find it helpful to ask two questions:
- If there was literally nothing you wanted to see or do in the place you are coming to (New York) would you still be coming there?
- Are you spending as little time as reasonably possible there to achieve your transit?
If the answers to both those are "yes" then you can confidently say you are 'in transit'. If the answer to either is 'no' then you might be better off stating 'tourism'.
If you were arriving on a cruise ship and departing on the same cruise ship (and could reasonably have stayed on the cruise ship) then question 1 would be answered 'no' and you are not in transit. You should choose "tourism".
If you are arriving on a cruise ship and transferring to a different ship then you should choose "in transit".
Being in transit does not stop you doing tourist stuff while you are there. Also if you are a UK citizen it is unlikely that the answer will make a difference to whether you are granted an ESTA or not. And in any case, stating on an ESTA 'In transit' as the purpose of your initial visit does not prevent you using the ESTA for other purposes later on.
Pictures about "Do cruise passengers answer In Transit on the ESTA application?"
Is a transit ESTA different from an normal ESTA?
A transfer refers to a passenger switching planes at the airport to continue their trip. During a transit, you land in the USA and wait inside or outside the aeroplane before proceeding to your final destination in the same plane. An ESTA, visa or American passport is required for a transfer and a transit.Is your travel to the US occurring in transit meaning?
What is your travel to the US occurring in transit to another country meaning? If you are planning to stop for a short period in a country on the way to your destination, it means that you will be in transit. This can happen if your plan has to refuel or if you have to change flights.Do I need ESTA for transit?
ESTA is required in all cases of entering the U.S. Travelers must apply for and receive ESTA even when transiting in the U.S. to a third country without a visa. You must apply for ESTA in any of the following cases: transit, transfer, or stopover (layover).What is ESTA transit visa?
Travelers who qualify for visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program may transit the United States. Prior to boarding the air or sea carrier you are required to obtain travel authorization under ESTA.What 10 things YOU must to know about ESTA travel authorization. Visa Waiver Program
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.