Clarification on ESTA VISA - Timeline between travels & ESTA for Biz. Trip?

[MrR]

Hi there,

I would like to clarify few things with our experts if that's ok?

I hold British citizenship and have got my ESTA visa last Dec. I did travel to USA to visit my relatives / friends and stayed couple of weeks and then returned to UK by end Dec itself. The questions I have here are,

Q1: I did notice there are restrictions / VISA services suspended for USA travel due to Covid-19. Does it mean, my current valid ESTA visa also can't be used until the VISA service related suspensions are lifted? or can I use that as it was already approved / issued last year?

Q2: Is there any time limit / duration I need to factor before my next travel to USA using the same ESTA visa as its valid until end of next year 2021. In other words, should I be in UK for sometime (like, 1 month or 3 months or any time period) between my travels to USA?

Q3: Can I use ESTA visa for any of my business trips / purposes? i.e. attend few meetings at my employer's main / registered office site?

Thanks in advance!

[Zerubbabel]

Hello

I used the same ESTA to travel multiple times to the US for multiple purposes. As long as it's valid, you don't need an ESTA per trip. That's during normal time.

As for now, even with valid ESTA you can't travel to the US unless you are a US citizen or a US resident. If you try to travel there with your ESTA, it will be cancelled and they won't let you in. Technically, you won't be able to board a US bound plane from the UK.

"In accordance with Proclamation—Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus, effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on March 16, 2020, the entry into the United States is suspended for most individuals, other than United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, who have been physically present within the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe, or the Republic of Ireland within 14 days of travel to the United States. Proclamation 9993 regarding travel from a Schengen Area country also remains in effect. Any traveler with a valid ESTA who is subject to the Proclamation and who attempts to travel the United States in violation of the Proclamation will have their ESTA canceled. ESTA will not refund applications that are canceled due to this Proclamation. Travelers who have questions about whether they are subject to, or exempted from, the Proclamation should refer to the Proclamation language, and consult with the U.S. Department of State and the air carrier, as appropriate, in advance of travel to avoid travel disruptions. Proclamation 9984 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus and Other Appropriate Measures To Address This Risk), Proclamation 9992 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus), and Proclamation 9993 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus) all remain in effect."

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

[MrR]

Thank you for your kind response and it certainly clarifies my 1st question.

Please can you (or someone) help me to clarify my 2nd and 3rd question too, in light of, when the restrictions (Visa ban situations) are lifted?

Q2: Is there any time limit / duration I need to factor before my next travel to USA using the same ESTA visa as its valid until end of next year 2021. In other words, should I be in UK for sometime (like, 1 month or 3 months or any time period) between my travels to USA?

Q3: Can I use ESTA visa for any of my business trips / purposes? i.e. attend few meetings at my employer's main / registered office site?