All foreign nationals wishing to set foot on American soil need the right travel document. This can take the form of a visa application or an ESTA application. While the notion of a U.S. visa is clear to most travelers, defining the ESTA remains more complicated for many. We’re going to explain what ESTA is, what it’s for and what it looks like, so that you have the clearest possible definition of ESTA.
Defining ESTA: why does it exist?
Summary :
All foreign nationals are required to apply for a USA visa for a stay in the United States, whether for tourism or not. To facilitate entry to the USA, and thus promote US tourism, the US government set up the Visa Waiver Program in 1986. The program began with the UK as the only member. Over the years, the program has expanded to include 41 countries.
In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the US government could no longer allow unchecked travellers to enter the country, but could not reintroduce visas for everyone. The American authorities therefore decided to introduce an electronic travel authorization system: the ESTA. Its mission is to screen visa-exempt travelers. All nationals of the countries concerned must apply for ESTA authorization before boarding a plane or ship bound for the United States.
What are the ESTA eligibility requirements?
ESTA authorization is intended only for nationals of countries that have signed up to the Visa Waiver Program. This is the primary eligibility criterion, with possible exclusion based on dual nationality.
To enter the United States, you need a valid passport. This does not simply mean that the passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay, but that it must be a biometric or electronic passport. In fact, only these passports are equipped with electronic systems that can contain ESTA authorization and the information needed to identify the holder. What’s more, these passports are difficult to falsify.
The traveler’s identity is only one of the elements to be taken into account. The stay itself must meet the ESTA requirements. The stay in the USA must be a tourist or business trip lasting no more than 90 days. The ESTA is also required for transit via the USA to a final destination. You must also enter the USA by air or sea. This means that to enter the USA by land, an ESTA is not required.
Introduction to ESTA travel authorization
We’ve seen that ESTA can be defined as an alternative to the U.S. visa, but what does the ESTA document look like and how does this authorization request materialize? Let’s tackle these questions one by one.
What does the ESTA document look like?
ESTA stands for “Electronic System for Travel Authorization”. This means that the ESTA is not an ordinary paper document, but an authorization linked electronically to the passport number. That’s why a biometric or electronic passport is essential to obtain ESTA.
The validity of the ESTA depends on the validity of the passport. This means that if you have a new passport, the ESTA obtained will be null and void. A new ESTA application is required to travel to the USA.
How do I obtain an ESTA?
Unlike a visa application, which requires a visit to the U.S. embassy, an ESTA application is made exclusively by filling out an online form. The ESTA form is available on the U.S. government website or on specialized websites.
To read: https: //www.mendocinomuseum.org/comment-obtenir-esta-usa/
To apply for an ESTA, you need to fill in the ESTA form online. Filling in the form involves filling in fields relating to your personal details and passport data, as well as answering a series of questions enabling the American authorities to determine whether you represent a risk to American homeland security. Passport validation is only effective if the ESTA fee is paid by credit card.
The travel authorization application is processed electronically, so care must be taken not to make any typing errors. A reply is given quickly: it can be immediate or take up to 72 hours. Once granted, the authorization is linked to your passport for two years, unless the passport is less valid. ESTA allows multiple entries.
The definition of ESTA is now complete. You know who it’s for, the specific requirements for travel to the USA, what form the authorization takes and how to obtain it. Now all you have to do is prepare for your trip to the USA.