The ESTA is a questionnaire for foreign nationals covered by the exemption program. It enables travel to the USA without having to apply for a US visa. The traveler must travel by air or sea for a maximum stay of 90 days. The purpose of the stay in the USA must be tourism, business or transit.
It is also mandatory to obtain the ESTA form and to have a biometric or electronic passport.
Where can I find the ESTA online form?
Before you travel to the USA, you can submit your authorization request online, so you don’t have to go to the American embassy or consulate. Many online sites offer to take care of this formality. You may come across dozens of results and not know which platform to choose. We’ve written this article to help you choose.
First of all, check that you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. We’ll now show you the two ways to apply for your travel authorization to the USA: via the U.S. government website, or via a private website.
Ordering on the official U.S. government website
On the U.S. government website, you can apply for individual or group travel. At the start of your ESTA form, you’ll be asked for personal information such as your first name, surname, passport number, details of your employment, emergency contact details and your place of residence during your temporary stay in the USA. There will also be many questions about any contagious diseases you may have contracted in the past, and your relationship to the law. A file is validated following payment of the $21 application fee, which enables the United States of America to finance tourism in the USA and pay the agents in charge of your application.
Ordering from a specialized site
Don’t be surprised to see other websites offering ESTA document delivery. In fact, as ordering the ESTA can be complicated for some people, a private company can take care of the application for you. In return, additional fees are charged. However, it’s a good idea to use this service if you’re not at ease with the administrative formalities and would like personalized assistance. The private site collects your data, checks it thoroughly and then passes it on to the American authorities.
The same ESTA for every platform
Don’t worry about the document itself. Just because you choose to order your ESTA from a private site doesn’t mean you won’t receive the same document. It comes from exactly the same place. So there’s no difference between the documents issued by the U.S. government site and other online platforms.
The ESTA USA is valid for two years from the date of approval by the authorities. Travelers can make several return trips, provided they meet all the conditions. It is possible for the ESTA to expire earlier, for example if your passport is no longer valid. In this case, simply apply for a new passport at your local town hall before ordering a new ESTA. This is mandatory, as the authorization is linked to the passport number.
What to do if authorization is refused?
First of all, it’s essential to point out that refusal of an ESTA to enter the USA is a very rare occurrence. It can happen if you make a mistake when filling in the online application form. If you make a mistake in writing your name or passport number, you can reapply for authorization 10 days later. Otherwise, you will be obliged to apply for a USA visa at the US embassy.