Your trip to the USA is fast approaching, but you can’t get your hands on your ESTA file? No problem! We’ll show you how to find your ESTA form so you can travel to the USA without a hitch!
How to find an ESTA form
Contents :
All ESTA applications are made online, via the official U.S. government website. Once you’ve completed the online form, you’ll need to pay the application fee. Once this formality has been completed, your request for authorization to stay in the USA is transmitted to the American authorities. You will then be given an application number.
To retrieve your ESTA, go to the US Customs and Border Protection website and click on “Check existing application”, then on “Check individual status”. At this point, you will be asked to provide three elements to retrieve your ESTA form:
- ESTA application number ;
- your biometric or electronic passport number ;
- your date of birth.
If these three items of information match your file, you’ll be able to retrieve the details of your ESTA form and see if it’s still valid.
If you obtained your ESTA via a private website, you can also simply log into your customer area to retrieve your ESTA authorization.
Please note that the ESTA authorization is not valid indefinitely. It can only be used for two years, provided you have a valid passport for the entire period. You don’t need to print out your temporary residence permit, as the ESTA is electronically linked to your passport via a microchip.
Find an ESTA form without a file number
Can’t find your ESTA file number after repeated checks? Don’t panic, the U.S. government has foreseen this situation and offers an alternative. To find your ESTA form, follow the same procedure as above. However, instead of entering your file number, you’ll need to enter your country of citizenship, the date your passport was issued, its expiry date and your date of birth.
Status of a recovered ESTA
Checking your ESTA status can only provide 2 answers: your ESTA is still valid, or it is no longer valid.
Valid ESTA
If your ESTA form is still valid, you can travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. However, make sure you comply with the conditions imposed by the Visa Waiver Program, particularly as regards the length of stay in the USA (90 days maximum) and the reason for travel (tourist, business or transit trip).
Consequently, if you plan to do an internship in the USA, study at an American university or work, obtaining an ESTA will not be enough. You will need to apply for a visa at the American embassy or consulate general.
ESTA expired: how do I renew it?
If, after checking the information on your ESTA form, you discover that your ESTA has expired or that some of your details are out of date, you will need to apply for a new authorization. If the information on your electronic or biometric passport is out of date, you must apply for a passport renewal before ordering a new ESTA.
The ESTA renewal process is very simple. In fact, all you need to do is bring your passport and a credit card, and fill in the online form again, in the same way as for the first application.
Please bear in mind that this authorization in no way validates your entry into the United States. Only customs officers at the border can validate your entry into the United States. If you pose no threat, and if you answer the officer’s questions truthfully, you should have no problem gaining access to U.S. soil.
