4 ms·

My partner and I are visiting Europe shortly (from NZ). We were going to transit the US on the way back, stopping for a few days. Luckily we hadn't booked ret

by frio 10y ago

My partner and I are visiting Europe shortly (from NZ). We were going to transit the US on the way back, stopping for a few days. Luckily we hadn't booked return flights yet, and have since decided to visit Canada instead (luckily, Air NZ runs direct flights from Vancouver to Auckland now). We're pretty boring pakeha, and I doubt we'd have trouble at the border. But... given a few months more until we'd be visiting, we're uncertain enough about what other legal requirements might get rammed through (and the ETSA is already enough of a hassle) that it just doesn't seem worthwhile. This is just an anecdote, and I'm sure I'm being overly paranoid. But I don't really want to tack on a potentially very stressful end to a holiday. It makes me sad to think of how trivial an inconvenience this is for me, compared to friends I have who are much more strongly affected by the ban.

Joky 10y ago
> (and the ETSA is already enough of a hassle) I don't get this part? Can you clarify what part is a hassle? ESTA just seems great to me: fill a form online and get (most of the time) an "immediate tourist visa". When you're from a country that isn't in the ESTA program, then it can be a hassle! You don't really get a visa, but an approval for visa exemption I believe.
- frio 10y ago
  You're right -- the concept is great :). Last time I got an ESTA, however, the site was somewhat byzantine, chock-full of confusing legalese and the response was slow. Comparatively, to get into Europe for 90 days we just have to arrive (https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/travel-tips-travel-europe https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/travel-tips-travel-europe) -- same goes for Canada. However, after checking, it does seem like the site has improved a lot. It's been a while :).
  - emilyfm 10y ago
    Canada does require advance authorisation to arrive by air, the ETA (CA$ 7 online). http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
    - frio 10y ago
      So it does; thanks! I didn't see any indication that existed on the various NZ government sites about travelling. That would've made for an unfortunate arrival.
  - germanier 10y ago
    The European Union will introduce a similar system, ETIAS, soon. https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/fact-sheets/docs/20161116/factsheet_-_etias_en.pdf https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/wh... The whole concept goes against the concept of visa-free travel. No matter what they are termed those are effectively – usually automatically processed – visa against the spirit of bilateral visa-free agreements. It used to be that you can turn up at the border to apply for entry there instead of beforehand. Those "travel authorizations" are a step back. Not to mention all the data footprint that this process creates additionally.

by frio 10y ago

Joky 10y ago

> (and the ETSA is already enough of a hassle) I don't get this part? Can you clarify what part is a hassle? ESTA just seems great to me: fill a form online and get (most of the time) an "immediate tourist visa". When you're from a country that isn't in the ESTA program, then it can be a hassle! You don't really get a visa, but an approval for visa exemption I believe.

frio 10y ago
You're right -- the concept is great :). Last time I got an ESTA, however, the site was somewhat byzantine, chock-full of confusing legalese and the response was slow. Comparatively, to get into Europe for 90 days we just have to arrive (https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/travel-tips-travel-europe https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/travel-tips-travel-europe) -- same goes for Canada. However, after checking, it does seem like the site has improved a lot. It's been a while :).
- emilyfm 10y ago
  Canada does require advance authorisation to arrive by air, the ETA (CA$ 7 online). http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
  - frio 10y ago
    So it does; thanks! I didn't see any indication that existed on the various NZ government sites about travelling. That would've made for an unfortunate arrival.
- germanier 10y ago
  The European Union will introduce a similar system, ETIAS, soon. https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/fact-sheets/docs/20161116/factsheet_-_etias_en.pdf https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/wh... The whole concept goes against the concept of visa-free travel. No matter what they are termed those are effectively – usually automatically processed – visa against the spirit of bilateral visa-free agreements. It used to be that you can turn up at the border to apply for entry there instead of beforehand. Those "travel authorizations" are a step back. Not to mention all the data footprint that this process creates additionally.