Recovering lost ESTA authorization documents
ESTA is a mandatory travel authorization created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ESTA authorization is intended for nationals of the 41 countries covered by the
It is sometimes necessary to retrieve your ESTA authorization document. This can be useful for a new temporary stay in the U.S., or in the case of modifications. Certain changes can be made to your ESTA application. We’ll explain how to find this document quickly by taking the right steps. If you’ve mislaid your file number, there is an alternative way to retrieve your authorization document. Here’s how.
Why retrieve your authorization request?
An ESTA authorization is a document allowing travel to the United States for several stays of up to 90 days. It is valid for two years. During this period, you can update certain information, such as your e-mail address, telephone number, travel company name, flight number or ship name, destination address in the U.S., and so on. To make these changes, you need to retrieve your previously validated document. Take this opportunity to check the expiry date of your ESTA document. Rest assured, if you’ve lost your document, there’s a solution. You can log on to the site you used to register for ESTA.
As a reminder, ESTA applications can be made via the official U.S. government website, but also via a private site. The private site allows you to check the veracity of your information, to limit the risk of your application being rejected. When you obtained your ESTA, you had to fill in an ESTA form and apply online. In fact, you don’t need to go to the American embassy (unlike when applying for a visa) to travel to the USA with ESTA.
How do I retrieve your application?
If you wish to retrieve your travel authorization application, you have two options. The first is to use the file number. The second is to retrieve your application without using the file number. All you need is your biometric or electronic passport. This famous number is obtained after you have registered your application. When you apply on a specialized website, you’ll usually receive an e-mail with a PDF copy of your travel authorization and your ESTA number.
You may be asked for this number, which will be used to consult or update your file. To retrieve your application, first enter your valid passport number and your date of birth. You can then retrieve your authorization by entering your passport number, your country of citizenship, the date of issue of your ePassport (or biometric passport) and your date of birth.
Note: we recommend that you print out the ESTA number provided by the US authorities, so that you can easily access your authorization. You can also print out the ESTA, which we also recommend. This will give you a quick overview of the document’s expiry date. What’s more, it will make your job easier and prevent you from unpleasant surprises. Even if the electronic systems of customs officers can easily find it at the border, having a printed ESTA can save you a lot of time.
ESTA requirements to obtain this document and travel to the USA
Would you like to visit the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls? Or would you like to take a roadtrip through the American West? Under certain conditions, you can go to the USA without an American visa, using only your French passport, but you’ll need a specific authorization.
Travelers wishing to spend a temporary stay on American soil will have to apply electronically for a travel authorization, known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This procedure, which can be carried out online,
Persons who must apply for a travel authorization
The authorization to travel to the United States is a document valid for 2 years, and is obtained by completing the ESTA form online. This questionnaire must be completed at least 72 hours before the expected date of departure. If you don’t apply for ESTA authorization, or if you don’t meet the ESTA eligibility criteria, you must apply for a USA visa at an American consulate or embassy. ESTA authorization is required for transit, business and tourist travel to the USA. This permission is also granted to babies whose names appear on their parents’ tickets.
Reminder: to apply for an ESTA, you need to visit the official U.S. government website, or a private site. There’s no need to go to the U.S. embassy. The independent site will also check your data, detect any errors, archive your travel authorization for 2 years and provide you with an account with storage of your information.
Eligibility requirements for the Visa Waiver Program
To qualify for travel authorization, you must be a national of one of the countries included in the program and meet the following conditions:
- plan a trip of up to 90 days;
- have a biometric passport (fingerprints) or electronic passport, issued in a member country of the ENP (Visa Waiver Program);
- travel to the USA on one of the airlines or shipping companies approved by the American authorities;
- have a ticket to another country or a return ticket upon arrival in the United States. This proves that you have left the country;
- not represent a threat to the country’s internal security.
Note that in the case of stopovers, the final destination must not be an adjacent island or border territory. This condition applies only to residents of these areas.
If you meet all these eligibility criteria, you can apply for ESTA authorization. To do this, choose either the government website or an independent site. Keep your valid passport handy. You’ll need it to complete the online form (passport number, date of issue, etc.). Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a reply within 72 hours. That’s why our team advises you to apply at least 3 days before leaving for the USA.
Please note: even if you obtain an ESTA application and a new passport, you may still be refused entry by customs. Indeed, in certain rare cases, it is possible to be refused entry. In such cases, you’ll need to apply for a U.S. visa at the U.S. embassy.
What are the best sites for filling in the ESTA form?
The ESTA travel authorization for the USA is a mandatory information system. It was introduced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Its purpose is to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the USA for stays of up to 90 days. They can travel for business, transit or tourism, without having to apply for a visa. The purpose of this authorization is to maintain the internal security of the United States.
By completing the online application form, you will receive a travel authorization. We recommend that you do this at least 72 hours before departure. This document also reduces the waiting time at the border. In fact, information on each traveler is already in the customs database before arrival. There are many portals available to help you apply for a travel authorization.
Sites for filling out ESTA forms
You can fill in the form to travel to the USA on specialized websites. In fact, there are a number of portals offering assistance with the process. Thanks to these tools, you can easily obtain your authorization. All you need to do is complete four steps: fill in the ESTA application form, submit your application, make your payment and receive your authorization by e-mail.
All the steps involved in obtaining authorization to travel are completed by filling in the online form. The ESTA document is used by the U.S. authorities to better control travelers on temporary visits of less than three months.
You can also visit the official U.S. government website to apply for your ESTA. You don’t need to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate to travel to the U.S. with an ESTA, unlike with a U.S. visa.
In both cases, don’t forget to bring your biometric passport. The electronic passport is also valid for ESTA applications.
Why register for the Visa Waiver Program on a private website?
To obtain your authorization to travel to the USA, you can validate your registration using a private site. Thanks to this platform, you can benefit from numerous services such as support available for any questions you may have, data verification before submitting your application, the possibility of correcting any errors before proceeding with payment, etc.
These sites, which specialize in ESTA application registration, also offer other services. For example: filling in your ESTA application, modifying your data, retrieving your document or accessing qualified assistance. By using this service, you can be sure that your application will be validated quickly.
Whether you apply on the government website or via a private site, your trip to the USA may unfortunately still be in jeopardy. In fact, it’s before you board your plane, at the border crossing, that everything comes into play. Customs officers can refuse you entry to the U.S. if they consider you to be a danger. However, such cases are extremely rare.
What name should I put on the married ESTA form?
The ESTA electronic form is a document you need to complete before traveling to the United States. To benefit from this authorization, you must be eligible for the program. You must be a national of one of the countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program. In addition, you must meet all the eligibility criteria for the authorization. To obtain this travel authorization, you need to fill in an electronic form available on specialized websites. If you’d like to travel to the USA with a married woman ESTA, you can fill in your application on a dedicated site. Many married women wonder what name they should put on the form. In this article, you’ll find the answers to these questions, so that you don’t run into any problems during administrative checks.
What name should be entered on the ESTA form for married women?
When you fill in an ESTA application form, you need to provide a lot of information. The first questions concern information about the traveler’s identity. Please note that the name to be entered on your plane tickets and ESTA authorization must be the same as that shown on your biometric (fingerprint) or electronic passport.
All you have to do is copy the information in the name field of your passport. If you don’t, your documents may not be valid. For example, on a valid passport, a married woman’s name is written as “maiden name” or “married name”. You can copy it like that, but we advise you to put only your maiden name for better legibility. Make sure you don’t make any mistakes, otherwise your trip to the USA could be cancelled.
Where do I fill in the ESTA application form?
When you need to spend a temporary stay in the United States, you need to complete your application online by logging on to a specialized site. It doesn’t matter if it’s for tourism, transit or business. You’ll need to visit either the official U.S. government website, or a private site. For an ESTA, you don’t need to apply at an American embassy or consulate. This makes ESTA applications very different from visa applications.
Once you’ve chosen your site, you’ll need to fill in an online form. On this ESTA form, you’ll need to fill in information such as your passport number and nationality.
The American authorities take this form very seriously. It was designed to facilitate the arrival of foreign nationals on American soil, but above all to maintain the country’s internal security. You’ll need to fill it in carefully if you don’t want your application to be refused. If it is, you can reapply, or apply for a U.S. visa at the U.S. embassy.
Questions about the ESTA form for the USA
To obtain authorization to travel to the USA for tourism, transit or business purposes, you need to fill in an online form. This document includes a great deal of information that the traveler must fill in correctly in order to receive the precious document. Although it only takes a few minutes to fill in the
What questions are asked when applying for ESTA? Where do I apply for ESTA authorization? Should I go to the American embassy or consulate? Answers in the article.
Where can I access the visa waiver application form for travel to the USA?
To make it easier for you to apply for ESTA travel authorization, we recommend that you take the time to fill in the ESTA form. We therefore recommend that you access
You can also apply via the official U.S. government website. In both cases, you’ll need to answer the same questions, and be careful about the veracity of your answers. You don’t need to go to the U.S. embassy, as you do for the USA visa application.
Finally, once your request has been submitted, you will benefit from the services of a team if you use a private site. This team will check the questionnaire and contact you in the event of any errors.
Questions on the ESTA form
The first step in receiving ESTA travel authorization is to complete the online application. This questionnaire has several sections. Four sections are mandatory, one is optional. This concerns information about your itinerary during your stay in the USA.
The first information to be filled in concerns the traveler: surname, first names, nationality, etc. Next, you’ll need to fill in the data on your biometric or electronic passport: expiry date, passport number, validity period, etc. Another, optional, section deals with optional itinerary data. Finally, a last section goes into more detail about your medical information and criminal record. This last section is very important. It enables us to determine whether you are a risk to the homeland security of the United States.
These last answers are very important, as they determine whether or not your application will be accepted by the American authorities, who are responsible for validating the eligibility of your application.
Examples of questions asked on the ESTA form
Finally, here are some questions to ask when applying for an ESTA and entering the United States:
The U.S. government will ask:
- do you suffer from any contagious or transmissible disease or psychiatric disorder?
- do you use narcotics?
- have you ever been in prison and why?
- do you intend to engage in immoral actions in the United States?
ESTA and U.S. embassy, how to obtain the form?
ESTA is a visa-exempt travel authorization for travelers entering the United States. The ESTA covers a temporary stay (90 days maximum) of a tourist, transit or business nature. This visa-exempt travel authorization is valid for two years. This means that anyone holding this form is entitled to make further trips to the United States. ESTA authorization is mandatory. In fact, it is a means of reinforcing homeland security for foreigners wishing to travel to the USA.
To obtain one, you’ll need to have a valid passport and fill in an online form before you leave. Your authorization request will be processed immediately, once the form has been completed. A check must be made to detect any omissions or errors. If everything is correct, the ESTA application will be processed as quickly as possible.
How do I obtain an ESTA form?
The procedure for obtaining the form is simple. All you have to do is go to a private website or the official U.S. government website and apply online. The first thing to do is to identify yourself and answer all the questions relating to the criteria for admission to American soil. You must also be a citizen of one of the foreign countries included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Please note that you must apply for your ESTA document at least 72 hours before your trip to the USA. This will ensure that you receive your authorization on time. Unlike applying for a USA visa, you don’t need to go to the American embassy or consulate to request your ESTA.
To apply for ESTA, you’ll need your biometric or electronic passport and your airline ticket. You’ll need to provide a number of details, such as your nationality and passport number.
When is an ESTA application rejected?
The American authorities do not always approve your request for ESTA authorization. The reason for refusal may be an error in filling in the form. It may also be due to the duration of your electronic or biometric passport. This is the main reason why you need to be very careful when entering your data.
It could also be that you have not respected the time limit for your stay in the U.S. during a previous trip, or that one or more boxes on the application form have not been filled in correctly. To avoid problems of this kind and make your trip to the USA a success, take great care when filling in your application, or use a website offering assistance with your ESTA application.
If your ESTA application is rejected, you can always reapply or go to the US embassy or consular authorities to apply for a US visa and leave for the USA.
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.
ESTA questionnaire information for travel to the USA
If you’re planning a trip to the USA, we advise you to find out what you need to do. For complete and precise information on the documents you need to prepare, and how to fill in the ESTA form correctly for visa-free travel, read this comprehensive article.
In most cases, you’ll benefit from the fast-track ESTA process. If the ESTA application is rejected, the only remaining option for travelers to the U.S. is to obtain a U.S. visa from the U.S. embassy.
What you need to know for a trip to the United States
Foreign nationals who are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program will find it easier to travel to the USA. Membership of the program exempts nationals from US visa requirements for business, leisure and transit travel of up to 90 days. However, the government has set up an electronic travel authorization system to control entry and prevent people who pose a risk or threat to the country’s internal security and health.
Travelers must obtain ESTA authorization before leaving for the USA. If you don’t obtain this authorization, you’ll need to apply for a visa. For information, the ESTA is valid for 2 years, for a temporary stay and for several entries. The traveler will have to pay certain fees for the processing of the file by the American security service.
Travelers must have a valid passport and apply online if they wish to enter the U.S. with an ESTA.
Filling out the ESTA questionnaire correctly to obtain travel authorization
When applying for ESTA authorization, it is essential to fill in the online form correctly. A mistake, an oversight, a misunderstood question or an incorrectly formulated answer are all grounds for refusal of authorization.
We therefore recommend assistance in filling out the ESTA form via the official U.S. government website.
If you are unsuccessful in obtaining your ESTA the first time, you can always reapply. If this is also refused, you will need to apply for a visa at the US embassy.
Be aware that whatever happens, customs officials will always have the last word on your arrival on American soil.
Visa waiver program and procedure for travellers
The procedure for traveling to the United States has evolved considerably since its creation in 2009. The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from member countries to travel to the USA with ease. For security reasons, ESTA was introduced to check the identity of visitors. Before starting the procedure for your temporary stay, you need to know whether you can travel without a US visa. If you don’t need a visa, you must apply for the ESTA form at least 72 hours before you leave.
Impact of the visa waiver program on travelers
In 2009, the U.S. government introduced the Visa Waiver Program. Thanks to this system, over thirty countries benefit from visa-free entry to the USA. The program exempts travelers who wish to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days from the onerous visa application procedure at the American embassy.
Those eligible for visa waiver must, however, apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to departure. Please note that
You will still need a valid passport (e-passport or biometric passport) to travel to the USA.
ESTA application procedure
To obtain ESTA authorization, applicants can complete the online form available on the official website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. All nationals of countries participating in the program are potentially eligible for visa waiver. However, to ensure the safety of the country and its travellers, the Department of Homeland Security must check the applicant’s identity against its database. It will select and refuse entry to people who are likely to pose a threat to homeland security or public health.
Obtaining an ESTA permit is a prerequisite for free entry into the United States. To ensure that it is obtained, the applicant must correctly complete an online form. The questions on the ESTA form focus on the applicant’s identity, physical and mental health, and plans for tourism or business travel.
The ESTA form is available on the U.S. government’s official website. It is designed to obtain as much information as possible about you and your biometric or electronic passport. For example, you’ll be asked for your nationality and passport number.
Please note: even if you obtain an ESTA, it is the customs officers at the border post who will decide whether or not you can enter the country.
How much does an ESTA travel authorization cost?
ESTA travel authorization is required for entry into the USA. It is issued only to foreign nationals covered by the USA Visa Waiver Program. They must have a temporary stay of 90 days or less. It is valid for two years. During this period, travelers can make several visits to the USA. The ESTA application is subject to a processing fee, following a decision by the American authorities to add a processing fee.
ESTA also serves to maintain the country’s internal security.
Completing the ESTA application form
Thanks to the official U.S. government website, you can easily obtain your ESTA. Your application is reviewed and processed fairly quickly. If all the information is correct and complete, in most cases your application will be received within a few minutes (maximum 72 hours). However, if there are any errors in your application form, you’ll need to make a new request.
In order for the American authorities to accept your application, you must bring your valid passport (passport number and date of issue are required). Electronic or biometric passports are accepted. You don’t need to have your plane ticket in hand; you can buy it later. We advise you to apply quickly, in case you need to regularize the situation with the American embassy in the event of a problem, for example. Make sure you have filled in all the details and ticked all the right boxes on the online form. There’s no need to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate for the ESTA form.
For all questions relating to finding a job in the USA, answer “no” only. If you’re planning to travel to the USA as a family, every member of the family, regardless of age, must obtain ESTA authorization. Freight forwarders can either enter the U.S. with a U.S. visa, or with a simple ESTA document. You should bring this document with you, as it may be requested.
How much does an ESTA authorization cost?
The price of an ESTA authorization will depend on one key factor. The price has been $40 since September 2025.
Travelling to the USA is expensive, but you should know that applying online for an ESTA will cost you much less than applying for a USA visa, or re-applying for a biometric (fingerprint) passport.
What to expect after submitting your authorization request
Depending on the answers provided, the ESTA application may be granted, refused or pending. If it is granted, the applicant will be able to travel to the USA. However, if the application is rejected, a request for a tourist visa or green card must be made to the consular services of the US embassy.
Authorization is said to be pending if the content of the form is not clear enough and requires further study. You will receive the final decision within 72 hours. If your travel authorization expires before your return, you will not need to apply for a new authorization unless you wish to travel at a later date.
In any case, it’s the customs officials at the border post who will have the final say on your stay in the USA.
