Regulations have been in force since 2009 for citizens of countries benefiting from the Visa Waiver Program. To enter the U.S., you need an ESTA authorization. This must be applied for before you leave, to determine your readiness to set foot on American soil. You’ll need a valid passport, which can be biometric or electronic, to travel to the USA.
Details of the ESTA form
The ESTA form is to be completed exclusively online. You can fill in the ESTA application form on the official U.S. government website or on a private website. You’ll need to identify yourself and answer questions relating to U.S. admission criteria. It’s advisable to apply around 72 hours before departure. Without this online form, you won’t be able to board a boat or plane for your trip to the USA.
The ESTA form consists of different parts. The first concerns the applicant: surname, first names, date of birth, nationality… The second is for the passport number (biometric or electronic passport) and expiry date. The ESTA was created to encourage the entry of foreign nationals who are part of the Visa Waiver Program. Nevertheless, the internal security of the U.S. territory must be preserved. This is why one of the security measures is to have you answer a series of questions. These questions relate to your legal and medical history. Their purpose is to determine whether or not you are a potential danger.
The ESTA covers a stay in the USA of up to 90 days. Authorized stays include business, transit and tourist travel.
The ESTA form, a mandatory document
Since January 2009, the ESTA form has been a mandatory document for travel to the USA. This procedure is valid for countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. The document applies if you are traveling to the USA for tourism, family reasons or business for a period of less than 90 days.
This additional means of control was introduced to improve American national security. Before boarding a flight, this request for authorization makes it possible to determine whether a person has the right to travel to the USA.
To apply for this document, you don’t need to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate. If your ESTA application is refused, you will need to apply for a visa at the US embassy.
Travelling to the USA with ESTA
Once you have submitted your authorization request, you will receive an automatic response. It may be a travel authorization granted, an authorization pending or a travel unauthorized. Once your request has been granted, your ESTA form is valid for two years. During this period, you can travel to the USA as often as you like, without any problems.
