If you’re planning a trip to the United States, you’ll probably need an ESTA. This residence permit, introduced under the Visa Waiver Program, has been compulsory since 2009 for stays of less than three months. To apply, you need to fill in an online form, available on the official U.S. government website or specialized private platforms. This step is of the utmost importance, as the answers to the questions asked determine the status of your ESTA authorization. It is therefore important that no errors appear on the form and that all your information is up to date. Find out what to do if you need to make any changes to your ESTA form.
The ESTA form
The ESTA form asks for a variety of information, including details of your identity and your stay in the United States. The U.S. authorities require travelers to retranscribe on the questionnaire the same information that appears on the electronic or biometric passport. The slightest difference may result in your application for a temporary residence permit being rejected. That’s why it’s so important to check that you haven’t made any mistakes or forgotten anything, and to update your data as soon as possible.
Modify the ESTA form before validation
If you notice an error on the ESTA form before sending it, it is entirely possible to correct it. In fact, all information can be modified (marital status, passport number, reason for staying in the USA) until you have paid. It is in anticipation of these errors that the system prompts the requester to check all the information he has provided before validating his request.
Edit the ESTA document after sending the questionnaire
New elements may arise before you leave for the USA. This refers to new information about your trip to the United States, such as a change of address or even a change of passport. In this case, the American authorities require you to update your ESTA file. However, only the email address, flight number and resort can be changed after the ESTA form has been submitted. For all other information, you will need to reapply for authorization to travel to the United States.
Modify the ESTA form after a refusal
You foolishly made an error on your form that caused you to reject your application? Don’t panic! Just wait 10 days from your first request to make a new request.
It is also possible that your ESTA document has been rejected because your passport is no longer valid or is not tolerated (optical reading passport). Indeed, to stay in the US, the US government requires to have a biometric or electronic passport valid. If you are concerned by this situation, you must contact your city hall to apply for a new passport to renew your application online.
On the other hand, if your ESTA application has been rejected for another reason (no criminal record, study or internship in the United States, vacation exceeding 90 days, etc.). You need to apply for a visa at the American embassy or consular authorities.
Should I pay to modify my ESTA?
The moment you update your ESTA authorization will determine whether you need to pay back or not.
If the update takes place before sending the form to the US Department of Homeland Security, no amount is required, you can change all the information for free. On the contrary, if a modification of important information is necessary after validation of the order, it will be necessary, as we have described, to redo a new request. To complete this process, the U.S. authorities require payment of an ESTA processing fee of 21 U.S. dollars.