Are you planning to visit the USA in the near future? You’ll need a travel authorization to enter the USA. Fortunately, thanks to the Visa Waiver Program set up by the American authorities, an electronic authorization is all you need: the ESTA. But what makes it different from a U.S. visa? Who is it for? How is it obtained? We explain everything you need to know about ESTA.
ESTA United States: definition
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To strengthen the country’s internal security and make it easier to enter the country, the U.S. government has introduced the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This travel document is distinct from a visa for the USA. It is not intended for the same travelers, and is issued in a different way. You’ll never see a physical version of the ESTA, since it’s a 100% electronic travel authorization. It is attached directly to the traveler’s electronic or biometric passport, via the microchip.
To apply for ESTA, you must first be a national of one of the 41 VWP member countries. You can easily consult the list of member countries on the official U.S. government website.
How to use ESTA
The ESTA is a temporary travel authorization, i.e. it does not allow you to immigrate to the United States of America under any circumstances – only the Green Card does. In concrete terms, the ESTA document allows travel to the USA for a maximum of 90 days, for a total of 24 months from the date of issue. However, the ESTA validity period may be shortened if your passport expires during this period. If this happens to you, your authorization will become unusable and you will have to apply for a new one.
Another important point: to go to the USA with an ESTA, only three types of travel are authorized:
- tourist stay ;
- business travel ;
- transit.
In other words, if you’re going to the USA to study, do an internship or work, you’ll need to apply for a visa from the consular services of the US embassy.
Please note that this travel authorization can only be issued if you hold a valid passport. If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to renew your passport before applying for ESTA.
Once you are certain that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the document online.
The ESTA application process
Unlike the traditional visa, which requires you to go to the U.S. embassy in person, the ESTA can only be obtained remotely. All you need is your passport and your computer!
To apply for ESTA, log on to the U.S. ESTA website and complete the online form.
ESTA form
Established by US Customs and Border Protection, the ESTA form is essential for verifying that you do not represent a danger to American citizens.
Completing this online document is relatively straightforward, but requires a certain amount of concentration. If you make a mistake on the form, your application may be rejected by the American authorities.
At this stage, you’ll need to provide personal information about your marital status or your biometric or electronic passport (country of issue, date of issue and passport number). You must also state the reason for your visit to the United States. Finally, the ESTA form ends with a brief questionnaire. All you have to do is answer yes or no to questions about your state of health, your criminal record, your previous travels and so on.
Once you have submitted your questionnaire, your application will be processed within 72 hours. If you don’t mind and meet the above requirements, your application will most likely be approved.
If your application is rejected, make sure you didn’t make a typing error when filling in the form. If you do make a mistake, you can reapply for an ESTA within 10 days of your first application.
On the other hand, if the information you provide seems correct, you are not eligible for ESTA. The only way to travel to the U.S. is to apply for a visa.