It’s common knowledge that the American authorities are serious about their country’s internal security. The result is a certain amount of anxiety when it comes to filling out an ESTA application for travel to the USA. The slightest mistake can cost you your
How do I complete an ESTA USA?
Summary :
First of all, you need to know that you can apply for ESTA authorization by filling in an online form. You don’t need to contact the U.S. embassy or consular authorities in your country, as you would for a tourist visa. ESTA can be obtained simply by filling in the ESTA form on the official U.S. government website.
Before you start your online application, make sure you have a valid passport to hand. Valid doesn’t just mean that the passport’s validity is sufficient to cover your entire stay in the USA (which, remember, must be a tourist or business trip not exceeding 90 days), but must also meet the security measures imposed by the US government, by being a biometric or electronic passport. You’ll also need a credit card to pay for your application. It is possible to make a group application and pay the ESTA fees in one go.
The ESTA form is divided into three distinct parts, each focusing on specific information. Filling out an ESTA requires concentration, as a simple typing error or oversight can lead to your authorization being denied.
The first part focuses on the traveler’s identity and information. You will be asked to provide your full name, date and place of birth, full contact details, passport number, as well as its date of issue and expiry. You will also be asked to provide details of your employer, if applicable, as well as any dual nationality. It’s important that the data you enter matches the data in your valid passport. For example, for a married woman, the surname to be chosen between maiden and married name depends on the name entered in the passport. Similarly, certain dual nationalities may be incompatible with the Visa Waiver Program.
The second, and shorter, part is about your trip to the USA. You are asked to state whether you are going to the USA for transit through the country, or for a temporary stay. In the case of a temporary stay, you’ll need to provide an address in the USA, as well as the contact details of someone in the country. There’s no need to panic if you don’t know this information when you fill in your ESTA application, as it’s possible to answer “unknown”. You can update this information later, even after your ESTA has been granted. It’s important to note that the ESTA is only applicable to certain types of stay (transit, tourism or business of 90 days maximum). Failure to meet the required conditions will result in refusal of your entry to the USA.
The third part is a closed questionnaire (so the only possible answers are yes or no) about the potential risk you represent to the national security of the United States of America. The questions cover a wide range of eventualities, from your criminal and medical history, to your previous U.S. visa applications, to your intention to carry out attacks once in the United States. It’s important to answer as honestly as possible, or risk prosecution.
Once you’ve filled in all the fields, you’ll be asked to check them one last time before paying the application fee and finalizing your request. The response is almost instantaneous, but sometimes the request is put on hold. The U.S. government is committed to responding to all authorization requests within a maximum of 72 hours.
Is there an alternative to the ESTA form?
Visa-exempt travellers requiring assistance in filling in the form can apply to a private service provider. To do so, simply choose a private site and fill in the simplified form usually found on the home page.
A team of professionals collects the necessary information and carries out this administrative procedure on your behalf. Your data is checked before being sent to the American authorities, which reduces the risk of refusal. You will receive a reply to your authorization request by e-mail within 3 days. You will also find the status of your electronic travel authorization in your customer area.