Residents of European countries are required to fill in an ESTA form in order to travel to the USA. This online application is a travel authorization in the form of a document to be completed with personal information. The ESTA form is easy to fill in. It allows travelers who request it to bypass the need for a U.S. visa. This is a great advantage, especially as this authorization is valid for 2 years, during which time you can make as many stays as you like, as long as they don’t exceed 90 days.
But how much does the ESTA application cost? That’s what you’ll find out in this article.
ESTA document presentation
ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is the result of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This is one of the homeland security measures put in place by the US government to protect the country.
The scheme covers 41 countries, but travelers must meet certain eligibility requirements. Foreign nationals must hold a biometric or electronic passport to prove their identity. In addition, the applicant must be staying in the U.S. for the purpose of temporary tourism, transit or business, for a maximum of 90 days. Travel must be by air or sea.
If you don’t meet all these criteria, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to realize your American dream and plan a trip to the USA. This only means that you need to apply for a USA visa at the American embassy. Applying for a U.S. visa is imperative if you’re planning a long trip, longer than three months, or if you’re leaving for reasons other than those listed above. Make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy for your trip to the USA.
How do I obtain the online form and how much does the ESTA cost?
To obtain ESTA authorization in the best possible conditions, simply visit either the official U.S. government website or a private site. You’ll see that prices can vary. In fact, on the U.S. government website, the ESTA document costs $21, as you’re on your own to complete the process, verify the data and send it off. If you need personalized assistance, an extra charge may be applied by a specialized site, as they will collect your data, examine it and then pass it on.
Due to a typing error, you received a refusal from the American authorities? You can renew your application to go to the USA, but you will have to pay the fees requested by the site concerned to resubmit your application file.
Documents required for boarding
Contrary to what you may think, you don’t need to download or print your ESTA. Even if it is possible to do this, for example, to remember the validity date of your ESTA, you won’t be asked for it when you board. As the ESTA is linked to your electronic or biometric passport, it is the electronic systems of the American authorities that will prove that you have the authorization before your departure for American soil. The only important piece of identification you need for a stay in the USA with an ESTA is your valid passport. You do not need to reapply for authorization for the full two-year validity of the document.
