The U.S. authorities have introduced the ESTA form to make it easier for foreign nationals with a valid biometric or electronic passport to enter the United States. The question arises as to whether this request is an additional step, whether it is mandatory, whether there is a fee, when it should be made, etc. In this article, we answer all these questions to help you prepare for your stay in the USA.
The ESTA USA form
The ESTA application form was created to make it easier to obtain authorization to travel to the USA, and also to reinforce the country’s internal security. It’s an online application that asks for the usual information, such as marital status, reason for travel and passport number. Since 2009, this form has made it possible to avoid applying for a U.S. visa for travel to the United States, for the full two-year validity period. You no longer need to go to the U.S. embassy to apply for authorization.
Is the ESTA form compulsory?
The ESTA document is mandatory in several circumstances. In fact, receiving an ESTA is a right for certain nationals of countries covered by the USA Visa Waiver Program, but it is also a duty, as travelers must follow several rules to benefit from it and be able to leave for the United States. The traveler must absolutely leave for U.S. soil for the purposes of tourism, business or transit. Under no circumstances may the trip exceed the 90 days authorized by the ESTA permit. If the maximum 90 days are exceeded, you risk prosecution. In addition, you must hold a valid passport, whether electronic or biometric. Applicants must not have visited the following countries since 2011: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Somalia and Sudan. If all these conditions are not met, please note that you will not be able to receive ESTA authorization, and you will probably have to turn to the American embassy to apply for a US visa.
When should I fill out the ESTA form?
It’s best to send in your ESTA form as early as possible, as soon as you know your departure date, for example. Otherwise, it’s best to apply at least three days before your departure date. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 72 hours to process your application, so if you make a mistake on your online form, it’s important to apply early. This way, if you need to rectify any information, you can always resubmit your file to the American authorities.
Where can I fill in the online form for a trip to the USA?
There are two ways to fill in the ESTA form. You can either fill it in entirely on your own on the official U.S. government website, or you can delegate the task to a private site. Of course, the cost will vary according to the method you choose. But in both cases, the document will be issued in the same way. The free ESTA no longer exists, but its price is much lower than that of a visa. The government website offers the form for $14, but does not offer personalized assistance. A specialized site, on the other hand, charges a little more for the form, as you’ll only be asked for a few details, and the private company will take care of everything for you. In any case, you don’t need to go to the US embassy to apply for a visa. There’s nothing complicated about filling in an ESTA form – the questions asked are basic, but we strongly advise you to be very careful to avoid mistakes.
What happens if the ESTA form is not completed?
You haven’t received an ESTA document or a visa to travel to the USA? You won’t be able to board a plane or boat to travel to the USA. As mentioned above, you cannot travel to the USA without prior authorization.