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.
