All travel to the USA, whether for business or pleasure, requires ESTA authorization. Created in 2009 by the U.S. government, this travel document allows you to enter the U.S. without a visa, which is far less restrictive and more economical. You can apply directly online, simply by bringing your biometric or electronic passport.
Let’s take a look at the exact conditions for ESTA authorization and how to apply.
ESTA authorization eligibility criteria
The ESTA document is much less complicated to obtain than the USA visa. Nevertheless, the U.S. government does not issue travel authorizations to every candidate for entry onto U.S. soil. Precise criteria have been established to qualify for ESTA authorization. If any of the eligibility requirements are not met, the ESTA application will be rejected.
To be eligible for ESTA, make sure you comply with the following points:
- the traveler must be staying in the USA for tourism purposes (visit to New York, roadtrip in the American West, etc.) or as part of a business trip. If the ESTA applicant simply wants to transit the U.S. territory before leaving for a border country, he or she can also benefit from ESTA authorization;
- the national must be a citizen of one of the countries participating in the visa waiver scheme;
- the planned stay in the United States of America does not exceed 90 consecutive days;
- the traveler has no terrorist intentions or contagious diseases such as tuberculosis.
If you meet all these requirements, you will probably be eligible for ESTA. However, to obtain travel authorization, you must complete an online ESTA form.
This questionnaire can be accessed via the official U.S. government website. Applicants must upload their passport and answer all questions about their identity. He then answers a few questions about his criminal record and his health.
Note that if you already have a valid U.S. visa, or even a Green Card, you won’t need to apply for ESTA.
How do I use the ESTA document?
If you obtain a temporary residence permit, you can travel to the USA without a visa. There’s no need to print out the ESTA document, since it’s an electronic authorization. The ESTA authorization is simply linked electronically to your passport. The ESTA is valid for two years, but you must ensure that your passport does not expire within this period, in which case the authorization will no longer be valid.
Please note that even though the ESTA allows you to stay in the United States as many times as you like, you are still required to respect the maximum stay of 90 days. If you break this rule, the U.S. authorities may simply deny you access to ESTA for good.
Updating your ESTA before departure
If your application has been approved, a file number corresponding to your ESTA has been sent to you electronically.
This identifier is very important, as it will enable you to update certain information in your ESTA file from your online space. Please note that the ESTA can only be updated for certain data (email address, resort details, flight number). If any of your passport details are no longer up-to-date (address, name, etc.), you will need to reapply for ESTA.