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.
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.
