ESTA authorization is intended for foreign nationals from countries that are members of the Visa Waiver Program. For beneficiaries, traveling to the USA has never been easier, as they no longer need to go to the US embassy to apply for an American visa. But do you know where to find the ESTA form and how to apply for authorization? Find out in detail in this article.
Where to find the ESTA form ?
Unlike applying for a tourist visa, you don’t need to go to the nearest U.S. embassy to complete the ESTA form. You can only apply for ESTA by filling in an online form.
You will find the ESTA form on the U.S. government website or on a private website. In addition to issuing the ESTA document, a specialized site will guide you through the entire process, giving you access to a customer service department staffed by professionals accustomed to dealing with the sometimes fussy American authorities.
What information is required to complete the ESTA form?
The ESTA form is divided into three distinct parts. You must answer all the questions as honestly as possible, even if you think that a particular answer may prevent you from obtaining authorization to travel to the USA. Knowingly lying when filling out the ESTA form form exposes you to problems, even legal action, once on American soil, as homeland security is a sensitive issue on the other side of the Atlantic.
The first part is designed to collect as much personal information as possible. You’ll need to provide your surname, first name, maiden name, date and place of birth, postal address, e-mail address, telephone number, employer details and passport number. You can also mention your social network profiles (for the moment, this is optional).
The second part concerns the duration and final destination of your trip to the United States of America, the name of your hotel and the contact details of a local contact. If you don’t have this information when you fill in the ESTA form, you can enter “unknown” as your answer.
The third and final part of the form is a closed questionnaire. This means that you can only answer yes or no to the questions asked. The questions ask about your criminal and medical history, whether you carry a contagious disease or have ever had problems with the law in the USA or in your country of origin. You will also be asked if you have ever been refused a USA visa, or if you intend to work, commit crimes or attacks once on American soil.
As mentioned above, it’s vital to answer these questions as honestly as possible, even if you think it might cost you your ESTA.
Remember that an ESTA refusal does not mean that you cannot travel to the USA, but simply that you do not meet the criteria imposed by the Visa Waiver Program. You must contact the American consular authorities in your country to apply for a tourist visa.
Other ESTA formalities
Filling out the form is not the only ESTA formalities to be completed. In order to apply for a travel authorization, a number of other points must be met.
One of the most important ESTA formalities concerns the passport. As the ESTA is an electronic travel authorization, it is electronically linked to the owner’s passport. For this link to be possible, it is essential to have a valid passport. By valid, we mean a biometric or electronic passport.
If you don’t already have one, make sure you take the necessary steps to obtain one. Applying for a new passport can take up to a month, and it’s important to note that emergency passports are not ESTA-compatible.
You should also make sure that your stay in the USA falls within the scope of the Visa Waiver Program. To do so, you must be traveling for business or pleasure for a maximum of 90 days.
If you’re traveling as a family, ESTA authorization is required for all persons on the trip, even very young children.
You have the option of making a group application, or you can enter the details of all family members. If the children traveling with you are not your own, you will need an authorization to leave the country signed by their legal guardians, together with a photocopy of their identity papers.
You now know the ESTA formalities formalities so you can leave for the United States with peace of mind.
Remember that your request must be made at least 72 hours before departure. Enjoy the great plains of the American West!
