When it comes to traveling to the USA, one question comes up regularly: how do I get my ESTA? The ESTA authorization application is a consequence of the Visa Waiver Program set up by the American authorities, and replaces an application for an American tourist visa. However, the ESTA document is not accessible to all travelers, and several other conditions must be met to obtain ESTA authorization. We explain in this article.
How can I obtain an ESTA?
Summary :
Unlike applying for a USA visa, obtaining an ESTA does not require making an appointment at the American embassy to meet with a consular officer. For the sake of simplicity, the U.S. government has made it possible to apply online.
You can find the ESTA application form on the government website or on a private website specializing in ESTA applications. You don’t need any supporting documents to apply for ESTA; the application form is all you need. In both cases, you need to fill in an online form divided into three parts (the form is generally simplified and checked for you if you use the services of a private site).
The first part of the online form asks you to enter your personal details, such as your surname (please note that married women must enter their maiden and married names), first name, date and place of birth, passport number and so on. You must also enter your full contact details, as well as information about your employer, if applicable.
The second part focuses on your trip to the USA. You are asked to provide the address of your destination in the USA, as well as the contact details of a local person. Rest assured, the answers to these questions are optional, and you can answer “unknown” if you don’t have this information when you fill in the ESTA form.
The third part is a closed questionnaire designed to determine whether you represent a threat to the internal security of the United States of America. Questions range from your criminal and medical history, to your intention to commit attacks once on American soil. Answer these questions as honestly as possible, but be aware that an affirmative answer means you won’t get your ESTA authorization.
In order to submit your application and obtain your ESTA, you must pay a processing fee. Once the entire process is complete, your application will be processed either immediately, or within 72 hours. Travelers are therefore advised to apply for authorization as early as possible, and no later than 3 days before departure.
When granted, the ESTA is linked to your biometric (or electronic) passport number and is valid for multiple entries into the USA for a period of 2 years. Of course, if you obtain a new passport or change your gender, citizenship or name, a new application is required immediately.
If you have been unsuccessful in obtaining your ESTA, this means that you do not meet the requirements for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, and you must apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy, bearing in mind that it can take several weeks to obtain a visa.
What are the conditions for obtaining ESTA authorization for the United States?
As mentioned above, the ESTA application is a consequence of the Visa Waiver Program. This program is called the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and was created in 1986. Thanks to this program, foreign nationals from member countries are exempt from having to apply for a tourist visa before traveling to the USA.
The first condition for obtaining an ESTA is therefore to be a national of one of the program’s member countries. There are currently 38 countries covered by the VWP. The list of countries can be consulted on the U.S. government’s official website, as well as all over the web.
Another condition for obtaining an ESTA is to have a biometric or electronic passport. The ESTA is an electronic travel authorization linked to the holder’s passport number via a microchip. A valid passport is of course essential.
The final requirement for ESTA authorization is that you are traveling to the USA for tourism, business or transit to your final destination. To obtain ESTA authorization, you must enter the USA by air or sea, and your stay in the USA must not exceed 90 days.