Prior to 2009, travelers were required to apply for a visa at the American embassy in order to travel to the USA. Since then, however, the government has introduced a new travel authorization system. This authorization strengthens security measures on American territory and facilitates administrative procedures for travellers in search of the American dream. The ESTA was born out of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. It’s easy to apply online, but an ESTA authorization is still required for your stay in the USA.
ESTA document presentation
This document has totally revolutionized the way countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travel to the USA. Gone are the long waits and high costs for a USA visa at the US embassy.
Who can apply?
Not everyone can obtain an ESTA, as applicants must meet a number of conditions to be eligible. To qualify, the traveler must be from a country covered by the exemption scheme, have a valid passport (the passport must be biometric or electronic), and be staying in the USA for a maximum of 90 days to discover the country, do business or transit before moving on to another destination.
How long does it take to get a response?
In terms of waiting time, the issuance process is nothing like that of a traditional visa, where you often have to wait several months. U.S. authorities process your authorization request very quickly, within 72 hours at most, and sometimes in just a few minutes.
How much does this authorization cost?
The cost varies according to the site where you apply for ESTA. On the official U.S. government site, the price starts at 21 U.S. dollars. On a private site, the price may be higher, but this is justified by the fact that you don’t have to do anything except fill in a simplified form to receive your ESTA.
How long is the authorization valid?
As a general rule, ESTA authorization is valid for 2 years. However, this validity period may be reduced if the traveler no longer holds the same biometric or electronic passport as at the time of application. The ESTA is linked to your passport number. If you lose your passport number, or if it expires, you will need to apply for a new one.
Why is ESTA mandatory?
Authorization is required to travel on American soil. The American authorities are very vigilant, especially since the terrorist attacks the country has suffered. The ESTA allows the authorities to know who is entering or leaving the country, for what reasons, and for how long they are staying. Homeland security is the primary concern of the American authorities and government, which is why it’s essential for you to obtain an ESTA if you don’t have a visa from the US embassy.
Apply for mandatory ESTA authorization
To apply for your ESTA document, you’ll need to prepare your electronic or biometric passport in advance. You’ll also be asked to provide a credit card to pay the fees. There’s no such thing as a free ESTA; part of the fee goes to finance tourism in the USA.
Then choose the platform on which you prefer to order and fill in your ESTA form: the U.S. government website or a site specialized in this formality.
On this online form, you’ll be asked to complete a number of fields. For example, you’ll need to provide personal information such as your first name, last name, e-mail address and passport number. The government site goes even further, asking you questions about your health or legal history.
At the end, it’s a good idea to reread it several times until you’re sure that all the information you’ve provided is true. Click on the “Submit” button. Your application will be examined and you should receive a reply from the US authorities as soon as possible. We hope you enjoy your trip to the USA!