ESTA authorization enables millions of people to travel to and transit through the United States of America, without having to apply for a U.S. visa or visit the U.S. embassy. But how do you obtain an ESTA? What are the conditions required to benefit from it? And if you don’t have to go to the US embassy, how do you apply for an ESTA?
Requirements for ESTA access
Summary :
To obtain an ESTA, several conditions must be met simultaneously. First of all, it’s important to note that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, is a measure derived from the Visa Waiver Program set up by the U.S. government in 1986. This program authorizes nationals of member countries to travel to the USA without having to apply for a visa in advance.
The first requirement for an ESTA is to be a citizen of one of the countries that have signed up to the Visa Waiver Program. The list of the 38 countries concerned can be consulted on the official government website. Foreign nationals of VWP member countries can obtain an ESTA, provided their dual nationality is not incompatible.
Another condition is that the passport must meet the requirements of the American authorities. For the American government, a valid passport means that it must be valid for the duration of your trip to the USA, and that it must be an electronic or biometric passport. What’s more, the ESTA, once granted, is linked to your passport number. Your passport must be equipped with the necessary electronic systems to enable it to be scanned by U.S. customs officials upon arrival at the border.
Let’s take a look at the requirements for a stay in the United States. To qualify for an ESTA, the trip must meet three specific criteria. Firstly, it must be for tourism, business or transit. Secondly, the temporary stay must not exceed 90 days. Finally, the traveler must enter the U.S. by air or sea.
The final requirement for travel authorization is proof that the traveler is not a threat to U.S. homeland security, either in terms of terrorism (past trips to Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen) or medical conditions (contagious disease or mental illness).
How do I apply for an ESTA?
To apply for ESTA, you need to fill in an online form. There is no other way to obtain an ESTA form. The online application can be made on the government website or on a private website. The ESTA will be identical in both cases, the difference lying in the assistance provided on a specialized site which is absent from the government site.
To fill in the ESTA form, you need to have your passport to hand, as several items of information are required. And, of course, you should answer as honestly as possible, even if you think your answer might jeopardize your chances. National security is not a subject to be taken lightly in the United States of America.
Once you have completed the form, you must pay the fees associated with your request. You will receive a reply within 72 hours. Once granted, the ESTA is linked to your passport for a period of 2 years. If you obtain a new passport for any reason (change of name, gender, citizenship, etc.), a new application is required.
How do I access my ESTA?
Whether you want to know your ESTA status following an application, or check the validity of your electronic travel authorization, you can access your ESTA online. To do so, go to the official website with your application number and passport number. If you don’t have an application number, you can still access your ESTA using your passport number, date of issue, expiry date and issuing country.