To combat terrorism and strengthen homeland security, the United States introduced ESTA electronic travel authorization in 2009. This temporary residence permit now allows foreign nationals from Visa Waiver Program member countries to travel to the USA without applying for a visa.
Formalities required for a short stay in the USA
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security pays particular attention to travelers wishing to enter the country. Whatever the reason for your visit to the U.S., a valid biometric or electronic passport and authorization to remain on U.S. soil are systematically required. To this end, the U.S. government has introduced three types of authorization: ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), visa and Green Card.
Let’s take a closer look at the ESTA travel document. This allows you to travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure for up to 90 days, without having to obtain a U.S. visa. And if you’re only entering the U.S. for a transit stop, you’ll also be eligible for ESTA.
What’s more, the U.S. authorities require travelers to have a round-trip ticket to prove that they are not planning to immigrate to the United States.
The formalities involved in obtaining an ESTA document are simpler and quicker than those required for a visa. There’s no need to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate; you can simply apply for ESTA online by filling in a form.
How do I obtain Electronic Travel Authorization for the USA?
The electronic travel authorization application is web-based only. There are two ways to obtain it:
- make a request on the official U.S. government website;
- submit an ESTA application on a private website for personalized assistance.
The ESTA form requires various types of information. For example, you’ll need to provide your civil status details, or transcribe certain elements from your electronic or biometric passport (passport number, place of issue, expiry date, etc.). Then you’ll be asked to explain why you’ve come to the USA, and to answer questions about your legal history and current health. Lying at this stage is inadvisable, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection analyzes all responses via computer systems that aggregate millions of data points. If the computers find an error, inconsistency or even a lie, the ESTA application will simply be rejected.
In the event that you make a typing error or misspell your passport number, you will be able to apply again. However, you will have to pay the ESTA fee again. If your ESTA is refused because you lied, the U.S. authorities can ban you permanently from the Visa Waiver Program.
If you are planning to travel to the USA, it is advisable to take this step several days in advance. The deadline for submitting your request is 72 hours before your departure.
To travel to the USA, is it necessary to have a paper electronic travel authorization?
As its name suggests, the electronic travel authorization is an immaterial document: there is no paper version, as is the case for a visa. Everything is done on your passport, as long as it is valid. A scan of your ID just before boarding will suffice to determine whether you have ESTA or not.
If the U.S. authorities decide to issue you an ESTA, which is most of the time the case, you’ll be able to travel to the U.S. as many times as you like. However, each stay must not exceed three consecutive months.
If you’re planning a longer vacation in the USA, contact the consular services to apply for a tourist visa. On the other hand, this formality is less economical and takes longer.