Road RALLY - ESTA or VISA (for abroad travellers)

[vasek.g3]

Can someone help me with this please ?
For the Road Rally do I need VISA or ESTA (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ ) is enough?
This question is probably more for non US members,
but their opinion or answer will be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

[vasek.g3]

Can someone help me with this please ?
For the Road Rally do I need VISA or ESTA (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ ) is enough?
This question is probably more for non US members,
but their opinion or answer will be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

Just a small adding, the permission is for the check in (airport) and the visit connected with Road Rally...
(hopefully explained enough)

PM is OK too.

[hazineju]

Hi Vasek, I don't know the answer to the question, but based on the information below, it sounds like an ESTA would be ok. It looks like you can at least apply for the ESTA and if they don't approve it you can apply for a Visa. Here is what I found based on the site you referenced (so you may have already read this:)

You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (Visa Waiver Program) if you:

Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit;
Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country;
Have authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier;
Have a return or onward ticket;
Travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas; and
Are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Malta
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waive any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Obtain an Authorization Approved determination following a travel authorization application.
Not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
Have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Program.

[vasek.g3]

Hello Juliet,
thanks for your interest. You are right I already read this, I was (and still am) curious If some non US member used ESTA in the past for the Rally purpose.
So let´s see. I hope there will be chance to verify this by myself.
Have a great time.

Hi Vasek, I don't know the answer to the question, but based on the information below, it sounds like an ESTA would be ok. It looks like you can at least apply for the ESTA and if they don't approve it you can apply for a Visa. Here is what I found based on the site you referenced (so you may have already read this:)

You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (Visa Waiver Program) if you:

Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit;
Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country;
Have authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier;
Have a return or onward ticket;
Travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas; and
Are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Malta
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waive any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Obtain an Authorization Approved determination following a travel authorization application.
Not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
Have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Program.

[LoDrop]

I'm probably going to the rally this year, and it would be my first time....

I'm from Switzerland and I will surely just use an ESTA, that will be enough...plus applying for a VISA is a hassle..trust me (done it)!

[vasek.g3]

Hi Alain!

Thanks for reply. This year it seems I won´t manage the Rally.
I don´t have enough time for music (It makes me sad. I can´t hardly imagine my life without music)
and participating the Rally without being prepared 100+ % would be not the best idea.
But I plan to visit NY at the beginning of 2012, It will be partly connected with music too.
So I think ESTA should be enough for this purposes.
Anyway have good luck and fun! I´m sure, it will be a great experience and chance to change your ideas into reality!
All the best from CZ.
Vasek

I'm probably going to the rally this year, and it would be my first time....

I'm from Switzerland and I will surely just use an ESTA, that will be enough...plus applying for a VISA is a hassle..trust me (done it)!

[LoDrop]

Hey Vasek!

Too bad you can't make it...I've never been to the rally, but from what I've heard, it doesn't matter whether you're prepared or not, you can always make connections and learn lots of new things.....but I will sure find out soon enough

yeah, an ESTA should be fine...

peace
Al