Organizing a trip to the USA is no easy task, and the first step is to purchase a travel authorization. The ESTA form has been designed to facilitate travel to the USA for periods of less than three months, or more precisely for a maximum of 90 days. Unlike a visa, which is often a long and tedious process, the ESTA form can be requested a few days before departure, up to a maximum of 72 hours before the departure date. It is advisable, however, to apply well in advance, so as to be able to take advantage of possible remedies in the event of refusal, without having to cancel your trip to the United States.
To benefit from the ESTA document, the applicant must be a member of the Visa Waiver Program. They must also be in possession of a valid biometric or electronic passport, and be traveling to the U.S. for a short-term stay, business or transit.
ESTA fees
You may find different ESTA prices on the web. The official U.S. government website will ask you to pay the mandatory online administration fee of US$21 to process your application.
ESTA fees on the US government website
The official U.S. government website offers the same price for everyone: $21. Whether you’re registering an adult or a minor, the price doesn’t vary. This price includes the processing of your application and fees to promote tourism in the USA. All the applicant has to do is fill in an online form on the site, which consists of several steps. First, you’ll need to fill in a few fields about your identity and valid passport, followed by a few questions about your state of health and the law.
To validate your ESTA application, there’s one last step: pay the $21 online using your credit card.
Good to know: if your ESTA is refused, there may be two reasons. The first is an error in the form. This can happen, and you can reapply and pay the fee again. If this has nothing to do with it, contact the American embassy to apply for a USA visa.
What is the fee if the ESTA authorization request is for transit only?
The fee is the same whether you’re in transit or staying from a few days to several months. Although you currently only need an ESTA to transit the USA, this pass can be used several times over a two-year period for both travel and transit. So don’t forget to apply for your ESTA before you fly to your final destination.