What is the ESTA electronic travel authorization?

Travelling to the USA without a visa: electronic travel authorization

For travelers from member countries of the Visa Waiver Program, entry to the United States is relatively easy. They can now enter the U.S. without a visa, with only a electronic travel authorizationcalled ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This is simply a self-administered form that can be filled in online.

It should be noted that the ESTA document is subject to a few restrictions. Nationals of countries that are not members of the Visa Waiver Program cannot apply for ESTA. With this program, the Department of Homeland Security controls travelers wishing to enter the United States.

The requirements for requesting an electronic travel authorization ESTA

Even if you are a national of one of the 38 VWP member countries, this does not mean that you are automatically eligible for theelectronic travel authorization ESTA. The U.S. government has defined a strict framework for entering the U.S. without a visa. That’s why it’s important not to skip any steps in organizing your trip to the United States. First and foremost, make sure you meet the following conditions:

• hold an electronic or biometric passport whose validity date has not expired;
• the stay must be for tourism (visit to New York, road-trip in California, camping in Yosemite, etc.) or business purposes;
• the total duration of your stay in the USA must not exceed 90 days;
• arrive on American soil by air or sea;
• be in possession of a return or onward ticket in the case of transit;
• have a bank card in order to pay the fees associated with requesting an electronic travel authorization.

If you’re satisfied that you’ve met the pre-requisites imposed by US Customs and Border Protection, you can officially move on to the next stage: the ESTA questionnaire.

Contents of the ESTA questionnaire

The main purpose of the ESTA questionnaire is to draw up a profile of the traveler and ensure that he or she poses no threat to Uncle Sam’s country.

There are two ways to complete the ESTA questionnaire. You can apply via the official U.S. government website, or use the services of a private site.

Although simple to fill in, the ESTA form requires a certain amount of concentration. Indeed, if you make the slightest typing error, particularly in your name or passport number, the American authorities will not do you any favors and will directly reject your application for an electronic travel authorization.

In concrete terms, the ESTA questionnaire is divided into 3 stages. The first, very basic, part is devoted to filling in your personal details (surname, first name, date of birth, etc.). Next, you’ll be asked to provide your passport details (country of issue, expiry date, passport number, etc.), as well as the reasons for your stay in the United States. Finally, you are asked to provide simple yes/no answers to questions about your criminal record and health.

Once the questionnaire has been completed and payment for theESTA authorization authorization, your ESTA application is officially transmitted to the U.S. government.

How to obtainESTA authorization ?

If theelectronic travel authorization USA is granted, you can benefit from it for exactly two years from the date of issue. The ESTA can be used as many times as necessary during this period. However, you must ensure that your passport is still valid during this period. If you have obtained a new biometric passport in the meantime, you will need to apply for a new ESTA. Remember that the information contained in your passport must correspond in every respect to the information on your ESTA authorization.

ESTA authorization refusal: what are the solutions?

If the American authorities refuse to grant you theelectronic travel authorizationPlease check that this is not due to an oversight or error made when filling in the online form. If this is the case, you will have to pay for a new ESTA document.

Finally, if you plan to travel to the U.S. for a vacation of more than 90 days, or for professional reasons, you can apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy.