Like many other official documents, the ESTA is a travel document with an expiration date. Once authorization has been granted, it is valid for a certain period from the date of issue. If you wish to travel to the USA in the future, it is advisable to renew your application some time before the expiry date.

To complete this renewal, payment of the fee is again required, the cost varying from site to site (there are many sites offering ESTA). There are a number of important steps to complete before paying the ESTA fee. Find out more about the validity and cost of the ESTA document.

Information on ESTA formalities

The ESTA is a mandatory travel document for citizens of countries benefiting from the USA Visa Waiver Program. It has been a mandatory travel formality since 2009. The ESTA formality was introduced by the U.S. Immigration Service and the Department of Homeland Security to reinforce security measures in the United States of America.

Thanks to this program, the American authorities can monitor all comings and goings on their territory, thus guaranteeing the safety of everyone, including passengers aboard ships or aircraft bound for American soil.

This authorization is available only to travelers who hold a valid passport (biometric or electronic passport), and who are traveling to the USA for tourism, business or transit purposes for 90 days.

This check is based on information provided by the traveler. It is used to determine whether a person may travel to the United States. To obtain a travel authorization, the applicant must follow a procedure that involves payment of a fee when the form is sent. We’ll be taking a look at this right now.

How much does ESTA authorization cost?

The ESTA was free for the first year of its existence, but in 2010 it became a paying service, a cost that is still very attractive. The price of the ESTA depends on the site you choose to place your order. You can order through :

• the official U.S. government website, which receives your ESTA form and has it analyzed, first by the electronic systems, then, if necessary, by a U.S. government agent. There are several steps to complete, and to validate the deposit, you must pay the sum of $14 by credit card;
• the private site of your choice. In fact, there are private sites offering a simplified online form. These private companies examine your personal information before passing it on to the American authorities. As a result, a slight surcharge applies.

A fee will be retained even if you have received a rejection from the US authorities, so don’t be surprised if the full amount is not refunded. Whether you order on the government website or on a specialized site, the response usually arrives within a few minutes. However, you may receive a reply within 72 hours of submitting your request. This depends on the number of requests received by the Americans.

Did you realize that you had made a mistake when filling in the ESTA form? We’re sorry to inform you that you’ll have to pay for your authorization again.

How long can I use my ESTA authorization?

Your ESTA document is valid for two years, from the moment you receive approval from the American authorities, following your online application. During this two-year period, the authorization holder may travel to the USA several times. But never for more than 90 consecutive days.

You may have undergone a major change in your life, such as marriage. You may have changed your maiden name to that of your husband. In this case, you’ll need to be very careful, as you’ll have to apply for a new ESTA with a new passport showing your spouse’s name.

It’s exactly the same if you’ve lost your passport or it’s about to expire.

You don’t meet all the requirements and don’t think you’re eligible for the ESTA document? There’s nothing to stop you traveling to the U.S.– you just need to apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy.