As you probably already know, the American authorities are particularly strict when it comes to immigration. To reinforce the country’s internal security, they impose travel authorizations on all foreign nationals wishing to stay on American soil. Today, there are three travel documents authorizing entry into the USA: the ESTA, the non-immigrant visa and the Green Card. In this article, we take a look at all these authorizations, who they are for and how to obtain them.
ESTA: a temporary residence permit
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ESTA was created by the U.S. government to reinforce the Visa Waiver Program, a scheme involving 41 member countries, the majority of which are members of the European Union.
In concrete terms, ESTA authorization allows you to travel to the United States of America without a visa, for a maximum period of 90 days. However, residency in the U.S. for less than three months is not enough to qualify for ESTA authorization. In fact, this authorization request can only be made for three types of trip: tourism, business travel and transit.
ESTA authorization request
You should know that applying for an ESTA is much simpler than applying for a U.S. visa. You don’t need to go to your American embassy, as the procedure is done online only.
To obtain your ESTA document, you need to fill in an online form. The form is available on the official U.S. government website, or on private websites specializing in ESTA issuance. The ESTA form is simple to fill in: all you need to do is provide your personal details, detail the conditions of your stay in the USA (reason for stay, address of residence, emergency contact person) and answer a short questionnaire.
The ESTA online application is not free, but it’s much cheaper than applying for a visa to the USA. The cost of the latter varies from $185 to $360, depending on the type of visa ordered, whereas an ESTA costs just $21.
If you meet the ESTA eligibility criteria, you can travel to the USA without a visa. With this travel document, you can even organize several trips to the U.S. during the 24-month validity period of this authorization.
Are you planning to travel to the USA as an exchange student, intern or investor? Then you are not eligible for ESTA. The appropriate document for this type of trip is the USA visa.
The non-immigrant visa: a travel document for many situations
The non-immigrant visa differs from the ESTA authorization not only in its period of validity, but also in its conditions of use. In fact, there isn’t just one visa, but dozens of different ones. Each is dedicated to a specific situation when visiting the United States. By way of example, here is a list of the main U.S. visas:
- B2 visa for tourists;
- B1 visa for business travellers ;
- F1 visa for students ;
- J1 visa for trainees ;
- E1 visa for contractors.
How do I get a visa?
To apply for a visa, you need to make an appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll be asked to provide a number of supporting documents relating to your project, and you’ll be interviewed by a consular officer to determine whether you are eligible to enter the USA. The validity of this travel document varies from visa to visa, generally ranging from 6 months to 3 years.
Are you planning to immigrate and live in the United States for the long term? If so, the only travel document you’ll need is a green card.
Green Card: the travel document you need to become a permanent resident of the United States
Commonly known as the Green Card, this immigrant visa entitles the holder to permanent resident status in the USA. This authorization is obtained from the USCIS. With a Green Card, you are authorized to work freely in the United States, just like any other American citizen.
Obtaining a Green Card
There are several ways to obtain a Green Card:
- through family reunification (spouse, child or parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident);
- by a sponsoring employer ;
- through the green card lottery thanks to the Diversity Visa Program.
Although often associated with the American dream, applying for a green card is an obstacle course. In addition to the numerous supporting documents required, you’ll need to be extremely patient to obtain this travel document. In fact, it often takes several years to obtain the card.
Other travel documents required for a trip to the United States
Going to the USA requires a travel authorization as mentioned above, but that’s not all.
Valid passport: an essential element for obtaining your travel document to the USA
Whatever travel document you’re looking to obtain, having a biometric or electronic passport is a sine qua non.
The validity of your passport should also be taken into account. If your passport expires before you leave, you won’t be able to obtain authorization to travel to the USA. We therefore advise you to apply for a new passport as soon as possible. You will then be issued with a biometric passport, an identity document consisting of an electronic chip containing your biometric information (fingerprints and passport photo).
Transport ticket: an essential document to guarantee your exit from the country
If your stay in the USA is a temporary one, it is highly likely that the American authorities will ask for proof that you are leaving the country on time. The best proof is your travel ticket: your round-trip ticket or your onward ticket if the USA is not your final destination.
