Since 2009, a new ESTA formality has been required to obtain access to the United States. This electronic travel authorization allows you to board a plane or boat without a visa. The online ESTA form is quick and easy to complete.
The aim of this system is to preserve homeland security and guarantee the well-being and health of American citizens.
When should I apply for authorization to travel to the United States?
ESTA authorization applies to very specific travel conditions. Before making your request, make sure you meet the Visa Waiver Program’s expectations. To qualify for the VWP, you must meet the following conditions:
- be a national of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program;
- your stay in the USA is for tourism, business or transit;
- you plan to stay in the USA for up to 90 days;
- you have a round-trip ticket;
- you have a valid biometric or electronic passport.
If you don’t meet all these requirements, you won’t need to apply for ESTA. The American authorities are very strict when it comes to rules for entering the country. However, this does not necessarily call into question your plans for a stay in the United States of America. You can always apply for a visa at the US embassy or consulate.
How to fill out the ESTA form?
To apply for ESTA, you need to fill in an online form. The ESTA form consists of a series of questions that must be answered. The questions concern identity, passport references, details of travel to the USA, and physical and mental condition.
Once the questionnaire has been completed, the applicant must carefully check the answers before validating the application. As the ESTA document is not free of charge, an administrative fee must be paid when the applicant completes registration.
The questionnaire responses are then analyzed by US Customs and Border Protection computer systems. The latter rely on a very extensive database, and you should be aware that if you provide false information, the lie is likely to be detected very quickly, and the consequence will be purely and simply a lifetime ban from the VWP.
Under normal circumstances, the final status of the ESTA application is determined within 72 hours. However, it is very common to receive ESTA approval within minutes of submitting your application.
If you receive a negative response from the U.S. government, first make sure that it’s not simply an oversight or error. If it is, you’ll need to submit a new application online. On the other hand, if your application has been rejected because you do not meet the requirements of the USA visa waiver scheme, you will need to apply for a visa at the US embassy.
Do I need to print out the ESTA travel authorization?
As its name suggests, the ESTA is an electronic document, meaning that it is directly synchronized with your electronic or biometric passport, so there’s no reason to misplace your travel authorization. The ESTA is valid for two years, but if your passport expires before this deadline, you will no longer be able to use the ESTA document, just like your visa. You will therefore have to start the travel authorization process all over again using your new passport.