A visa is the safest and most traditional way to stay in the USA. For several years now, however, it has been possible to apply for anESTA “Electronic System for Travel Authorization”. This allows certain travelers to be exempt from visa requirements. Nevertheless, foreign nationals are required to have a valid passport covering their entire stay in the USA. An electronic or biometric passport only.
What is ESTA USA authorization for?
ESTA USA authorization has become the preferred document for travel to the USA. On the one hand, it was introduced to improve American homeland security as part of the Visa Waiver Program for travel to the USA. On the other hand, the ESTA facilitates administrative procedures for both the traveler and the American embassy.
You’ll be asked to complete an online form when your stay is 90 days or less, and you’re going to the USA for tourism, family or business purposes. The same applies to transiting American soil. But that’s not all: if you’re traveling to the USA by boat or plane, you’ll need an ESTA form before boarding. However, you’ll need to choose an airline or shipping company approved by the American authorities.
If your trip is longer than 90 days, or if you want to travel to the USA to do an internship or study, for example, the ESTA will not be issued. In these cases, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
However, it’s not always enough to have your ESTA and valid passport with you. In fact, it’s the immigration officers at customs or at the border crossing who will decide whether or not you can enter the United States. Their decision is based above all on the conformity of your travel documents and the certainty that you do not represent a threat to national security.
Is the ESTA document free or subject to a fee?
Previously, ESTA forms were available free of charge. As of September 8, 2010, a fee has been charged. The amount charged depends on the site where the request for authorization was made. You can fill in the ESTA form on the official U.S. government website, or on a private website, depending on whether or not you need assistance.
You will receive an answer as soon as possible after submitting your request. If your application is pending, you’ll receive a reply within 72 hours, otherwise it will be given immediately. For this reason, we advise you to apply for your ESTA no later than three days before you leave.
How do I fill in the ESTA application form?
You can obtain an official ESTA either from the official website or from an independent site. In both cases, you’ll be asked to fill in a form. The form may vary slightly, however, since it is mainly filled in by a team of professionals when you use a private site.
As a general rule, travelers are required to state their identity: surname, first name, date of birth, nationality… You’ll also need to provide the information on your passport, such as expiry date and passport number. You’ll then be asked to answer personal questions about your health, any legal problems you may have had, any visa refusals you’ve already encountered following an application to the American embassy, and so on.
Be very careful with this questionnaire, as a wrong answer or error could result in your authorization being put on hold, or even refused. In this case, you will have to wait 10 days before you can submit your application a second time.
