ESTA Travel Authorization – ESTA USA

ESTA USA For Citizens of Visa Waiver Countries

Two ways are available for a Visa Waiver citizen to enter the USA:

Under the USA Visa Waiver Program with an official ESTA Travel Authorization
You can get a B-1 Business Visa, B-2 Tourist Visa, or other traditional US visitor visas

ESTA Travel Authorization in four easy steps

STEP 1:

Start ESTA Application

STEP 2:

Review and Submit

STEP 3:

Pay the ESTA fee

STEP 4:

Get ESTA by Email

What is an ESTA USA Application?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa application system allows travelers from Visa Waiver Countries to enter the US without needing a conventional visa. ESTA USA is a visa waiver for eligible travelers who would otherwise be forced to stand in long queues at border crossings. The ESTA visa waiver project aims to protect against illegal immigration and criminal activities. ESTA USA also strengthens border security in all 50 states.

A valid ESTA application is valid for up to two years unless your passport expires earlier. Overstaying the 90 days is a violation of visa terms. Imagine a traveler with an ESTA USA who tries to stay longer than 90 days or uses the ESTA Application to work or study in the US. If this happens, the traveler will be banned from entering the US and may also lose their ESTA.

How long does an ESTA USA approved visa remain valid?

Citizens of qualifying countries will be issued an ESTA US that is valid for two years. Travelers may be eligible for a traditional US Visa or an ESTA visa waiver depending on their purpose and length of stay. Travelers who are planning to stay less than 90 days may be able to complete an ESTA form online and receive authorization.

ESTA does not grant entry to the United States. The border officer will have the final word and decide whether or not you are allowed to enter the United States based on your accuracy and reliability in the ESTA US Visa online application.

Official ESTA USA Requirements

ESTA has fewer nationality requirements than traditional visa applications. Travelers who want to apply for ESTA USA need only a biometric passport with a machine-readable chip and a credit or debit card that has enough funds to cover the ESTA fee.

Unlike a standard US visa application, ESTA USA does not require applicants to submit hotel and flight bookings, proof of funds, or an interview with the nearest US embassy. Even after authorization, the traveler may fill out the form to provide additional information about the itinerary.

List of Visa Waiver Countries

Andora
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Rep.
Denmark

Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel

Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands

New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea

Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom

ESTA Eligibility Test

ESTA is available only to citizens of Visa Waiver Countries traveling to the United States. Therefore, checking if you qualify for ESTA before submitting an online application is essential. If your travel objectives differ from the ESTA criteria, you must apply for a conventional visa. This is because ESTA US allows you to enter the US for up to 90 days, primarily to travel for business, leisure, or transit purposes.

Online is the only way to apply for ESTA. You don’t need to bring any forms with you or visit your nearest US Consulate or Embassy. Moreover, ESTA US will link your passport to the ESTA US, so border control officials can track the progress of your application simply by typing in your passport number. Discover today if you are eligible to apply for ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. You can check your application status by visiting the Check & Update ESTA page.

How does ESTA USA review my information?

It is crucial to provide accurate and up-to-date information when completing an ESTA online application. Authorities compare the ESTA US form with a variety of security databases. These databases will store all of your personal data, including past travel information, criminal records, violations of travel laws, and more.

If any of your information does not match the data in the database, the system will reject your application. Travelers should therefore double-check their contact, address, and data. Double-checking the spelling of your given name and last name on your passport and any other information you may have is essential.

Passport expiration dates are also important to travelers. You may be denied ESTA if your passport expires within 6 months of entering the United States.

When should I apply for an ESTA visa?

Applying for ESTA at least a week before you travel is vital.

Although the ESTA electronic application system provides responses much faster than traditional visa processing, applying earlier is still advisable for various reasons.

You may have made an incorrect entry in your ESTA US application. This could lead to rejection or the need for correction. It could take some time to reapply for the visa exemption. You’ll therefore need to give yourself plenty of time to overcome any obstacles.

If your application does not meet the requirements for the travel authorization, you may also be asked to provide additional supporting documents or even undergo an interview. This may take much longer than the usual ESTA visa waiver approval time.

In some cases, ESTA requests may need to be manually processed.

In this case, for instance, if the ESTA US has been hacked by hackers, immigration officials, and travel officials will intervene manually to review the backlog of applications. This can take anywhere from one to seven days for a response.

Who needs ESTA visa waiver for travel to the US?

Citizens of visa-exempt countries who wish to travel to the US temporarily must obtain an ESTA visa. It also applies to children and minors. In the case of a child or minor traveler, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for completing and submitting the ESTA application online on their behalf. It may be necessary to provide additional information regarding the trip.

Dual citizens should ensure their passport is from a nation exempting them from visas. The application will be rejected if the applicant submits the ESTA form using a passport issued by a government that does not qualify.

Remember that a tourist who wants to travel to the United States on a short-term basis but isn’t a citizen of an ESTA eligible nation must obtain a US visa. The ESTA US does not work the same as a standard US visa. The traditional US visa requires a more significant number of documents. These include (but are not limited to) a travel itinerary, hotel and flight reservations, proof of funds, and medical insurance. Travelers who need to apply for a US visa in the traditional way must also undergo an interview with immigration officials from their nearest US Embassy.

How much time does it take to complete the ESTA?

Online ESTA applications should not take longer than 15 minutes. The response to the application submitted by applicants should arrive within 72 hours. However, there may be delays depending on the situation. We encourage travelers to check if they qualify for ESTA and apply for the waiver of visa weeks before their trip. DHS encourages travelers to apply for ESTA as soon as possible after they begin planning their trip.

What should a traveler do if they are denied an ESTA authorization?

If the US government rejects an ESTA request, but the traveler wants to visit, they can still apply for a visa. They can do this at any American embassy. We recommend contacting officials if you feel authorities made a mistake or if you believe you misinterpreted something or assumed it was a reason for your denial but later realized that it wasn’t.

When is it necessary to re-apply for an ESTA visa?

You must apply for a brand new ESTA if you plan to use it after your current one has expired. This is why the term “reapplication” rather than “renewal” is used. There is no way to extend the expiration date on an ESTA. If you intend to travel without a visa to the U.S. in the future and use ESTA, you must reapply.

What if I am in the US, and my ESTA expires?

You don’t need to worry if your ESTA expires before you leave. If your ESTA is valid at the time of entry into the U.S., you will not have to apply again. It is the same when you change to connecting flights within the U.S. As long as your ESTA remains valid, you will not have any problems when changing flights. Depending on the arrangements made with the country that the connecting flight is going to, you may be denied entry into the U.S. or even not allowed to board if your passport expires before the ESTA expires. It is generally recommended to renew your passport one year before its expiration.

Do I need to get an ESTA for my child to travel to the USA?

All visitors to the U.S. who do not have a visa must obtain ESTA authorization. This applies to all travelers, regardless of age. All family members or groups traveling to the U.S. must have ESTA authorization. This includes minors, infants, and preschoolers. ESTA is valid regardless of age for two years.