Obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before leaving for the USA is mandatory. Only citizens of countries benefiting from the Visa Waiver Program must comply with this procedure, which represents a real advantage for travelers, since by applying for ESTA they don’t need to apply for a USA visa.
Unlike the U.S. visa application, the ESTA procedure is fast, as it is carried out over the Internet. All travelers have to do is fill in a questionnaire, which is automatically submitted to the customs authorities. The authorization to stay in the United States is valid for 2 years, and will reach the traveler within a few minutes to a maximum of 3 days.
The ESTA form authorizes visa-free travel for up to 90 days.
How to fill out an ESTA form
Required criteria
First and foremost, you must meet the following requirements:
- a valid electronic or biometric passport;
- be a citizen of one of the countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program;
- travel to the USA for up to 90 days;
- for tourism, business or transit.
Choose your site
The first step is to log on to a specialized website or the official U.S. government website. There are many sites offering ESTA document delivery. It’s up to you to choose the one that suits you best.
On a private website, you can order an ESTA for your future trip to the USA. It’s a popular formality for travelers who don’t want to apply for ESTA authorization on their own, without assistance. A team asks for just a few personal details, and it takes just a few minutes, as you generally only need to give your first name, surname, e-mail address and passport number. A team then takes charge of making the application on your behalf, maximizing the chances of approval and allowing you to travel to the United States.
On the U.S. government site, the process is less costly, but you won’t have access to personalized assistance. It’s important to check all the information you provide, because if you make a typing or spelling error, your application will be rejected. These extra minutes will enable you to pay the sum of $21 to receive your ESTA.
Gather the documents you need before you apply
It’s not enough to fill out an online application to obtain your ESTA. In fact, one document is essential to complete your application. This is your valid passport. The biometric or electronic passport is a key element of the application, as the authorities will link your ESTA to the passport number. What’s more, in most cases you’ll be asked to prove its validity by providing its date of issue and expiry date. Finally, a credit card will also be very useful to validate your application.
How to complete an ESTA form?
The ESTA form can be found on the official ESTA website.
On the official website, be extremely vigilant when filling in the questionnaire, checking all the data provided first. Then answer the questions asked by the American authorities about your health and your relationship with the law correctly, without ever lying. If you find that you’ve answered yes to a question, you’ll certainly have to apply for a USA visa at the American embassy.
On a private site, the process is shorter and is limited to a few personal details. If you receive a refusal of authorization, it’s possible that the data you’ve supplied is not correct. If this is the case, you may be able to renew your application, but you’ll have to pay the application fee again. Following a second refusal, or if you have just realized that you do not meet all the conditions for acquiring an ESTA, it is possible to apply for an American visa at the US embassy.