Connect with us

USA ESTA- Application Guideline

USA ESTA- Application Guideline

Travel

USA ESTA- Application Guideline

ESTA means Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an automated system the United States uses to check for the eligibility of visitors from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to travel to the U.S. for short-term business or tourism purposes without obtaining a visa. Travelers are to apply for ESTA online before traveling.

Anybody wishing to go to the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must get an ESTA authorization (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before they begin their trip.

The Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) coordinates the ESTA program.

The ESTA authorization is requested online and received at least 72 hours before the trip. However, you should obtain the ESTA as soon as possible; if you’re denied, you must apply for a non-immigrant visa, which might take some time.

Note: If your passport has been lost or stolen by the authorities and later recovered, please don’t try to travel with it to the U.S.  If you put your passport details into ESTA, they will refuse your application. Just focus on replacing your passport before you apply for ESTA.

How to apply a travel authorization to the U.S. through ESTA

Go through the list of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to know if your country is included.

Ensure that your passport meets their program requirements. You must have an electronic passport or “e-Passport” to participate in the VWP. This category of passport includes a chip.

Complete the ESTA application online.

Make Payment: The total cost is $21. When you apply, you will pay a $4 processing fee. If they have approved your travel to the U.S., you must pay an additional $17 authorization fee.

You will receive an ESTA application number when you complete and submit the form and processing fee. Use the number to check your application status. Getting feedback might take 72 hours if you have been authorized to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.

Any approved ESTA application is usually valid for two years and permits multiple visits to the U.S. within the stipulated time without needing another travel approval. If your passport expires in less than two years, you will get an ESTA approval that is valid until the visa expires.

If you travel to the U.S. for tourism or business under the VWP, you might stay for 90 days every visit.

ALSO, READ Best Sports Events to Attend in The US

Other travel documents you will need to enter the U.S.

Although you might be qualified for the VWP, you will also need to come with a passport from your own country to enter the U.S. Usually, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you will leave the U.S. except your country has an official agreement with the U.S.

If you enter the U.S., officials at your port of entry will give you a Form I-94W, an electronic record of your entry date.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

You can apply if you:

Want to travel for 90 days or less?

Plan to travel to the United States for business, work, or fun.

Are presently not in possession of a visitor’s visa.

Intend to apply for a new authorization for one person or a group of applications for two or more persons.

Are you a citizen or bona fide national of a Visa Waiver Program country?

Things needed to apply?

Home address and phone number.

Emergency points of contact are phone and email.

Valid passport(s) from a Visa Waiver Program country.

List of Visa-Waiver Countries

Valid email address.

Payment method:

The application fee is USD 21.00.

Valid payment methods include MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB or Diners Club only), and PayPal.

The following information might also be needed:

Aliases or other names (If applicable).

National ID or personal ID number (if applicable).

Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI ID number (if applicable).

Employer’s address and phone number (if applicable).

U.S. point of contact name, address, and phone (if applicable).

Reference

https://it.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-waiver-program/esta/

https://www.usa.gov/visa-waiver-esta

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

Originally posted 2024-01-16 10:05:13.

Continue Reading
You may also like...
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Travel

To Top