Having both visa and ESTA when travelling to the US

I have the following question about US Visa and ESTA.

I am about to travel to the US to study. I have a valid F1 Visa, but in a confusion I applied for an ESTA afterwards as well. Both these things are to the same passport. I definitely need to enter to the US using my study Visa.

Will it cause any trouble with the US Customs and Border protection? If yes, is there some way how to correct the mistake?

Best Answer

It's no problem to have an ESTA and a visa. All you must do is to inform the immigration officer of the correct purpose of your travel (study) when you arrive. Present your passport with visa and your I-20 and you'll be fine.

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Can I have both ESTA and visa?

No. An approved ESTA is not a visa. It does not meet the legal or regulatory requirements to serve in lieu of a U.S. visa when a visa is required under U.S. law. Individuals who possess a valid visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose for which it was issued.

Do I need an ESTA if I have a visa?

I have a valid visa. Am I required to apply for ESTA? No. Only travelers entering the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program by air or sea carrier are required to apply for travel authorization under ESTA.

Can I apply for a B2 visa if I have an ESTA?

Even if you have a valid ESTA, if you apply for a visa and the application is denied, this is a changed circumstance that requires you to reapply for ESTA and the new ESTA application will likely be denied now that you have a B visa denial on record.

Can I have two estas in different passports?

No. Each Visa Waiver Program traveler must have an approved travel authorization for the passport they plan to use before they travel to the United States. If a traveler obtains a new passport, they must submit a new travel authorization application in ESTA using the new passport.

What is the experience of traveling on an ESTA?

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