ESTA USA

ESTA USA Application in four easy steps:

1
APPLY ONLINE
2
FLY TO THE U.S.
3
IMMIGRATION
4
WELCOME TO THE U.S.
1
APPLY ONLINE
2
FLY TO THE U.S.
3
IMMIGRATION
4
WELCOME TO THE U.S.

ESTA USA Visa Application

Enjoy our expert ESTA USA knowledge and services

What is the Visa Waiver Program?

The visa waiver program is a U.S. government program that enables citizens and nationals from the 41 Visa Waiver Countries to enter the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a tourist visa for USA. The advantage of entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program is that you can travel to the United States on short notice without obtaining a visa in advance.

What is ESTA USA visa?

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA USA is an online application system developed by the United States government to pre-screen travelers before they are allowed to board an airplane or ship bound for the United States. Starting on January 12, 2009, any person entering the United States under the visa waiver program is required to hold an approved ESTA Travel Authorization..

Who Needs to Apply for ESTA USA visa?

All travelers entering the United States (by air or sea) under the visa waiver program are required to hold a valid ESTA travel authorization. The purpose of ESTA USA is to allow the US Department of Homeland Security to pre-screen all Visa Waiver Travelers before they leave their respective countries. U.S.-bound travelers are recommended to apply for ESTA Travel Authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure.

What are the ESTA USA Requirements?

To avoid any unexpected situations on your arrival in the USA, you must familiarize yourself with the regulations before traveling to the US.
First, you cannot bring an empty or low-powered battery on certain flights. You may have your mobile phone charged at any time. If you violate this rule, you may not be allowed to board the aircraft. You will need to complete Customs Form 6059B during the flight. This form is used to track any particular items brought into the country. The I-94 form is created when you pass through Border Control. This form is not available on paper for travelers who arrive by air. It can be downloaded electronically.
The US Customs and Border Protection will review your documents. A CBP officer will also perform the US-VISIT procedure. This involves taking your fingerprint and a photograph and verifying your identity using this biometric data. The US authorities are authorized to see details about your travel plans. You are advised to bring with you a copy of any travel documents. You may also need to provide documents proving your financial resources. After completing these steps, you will be processed by Customs.

A valid passport must be carried with you on your entire trip, even on the day of departure. Some countries have exceptions to the rule. More information can be found on the CBP website. A visa is required if the traveler doesn’t have an ESTA USA travel authorization. Routine baggage and luggage checks are possible even if there is nothing to declare. Check the complete list at www.cbp.gov to ensure you don’t have anything to say. You may be required to show your driver’s license, documentation, and proof of liability insurance if you are traveling by land from Canada or Mexico.

When is the best time to apply for an ESTA USA visa?

Before you travel to the United States, you must apply for an ESTA USA within weeks.
Even though the ESTA electronic system responds to applications much faster than traditional visa processing methods, it is still advisable that you apply earlier for different reasons.
You may have made an error in filling out your ESTA request. This could lead to rejection or the need for you to rectify it. It might take some time to apply for a visa waiver. You’ll need plenty of time to handle any setbacks.
If your application is insufficient to allow you to travel to the United States, you might be asked to submit additional supporting documents or undergo an interview. This may take longer than the usual ESTA approval time.
In some cases, ESTA applications can be manually processed.
For example, if the ESTA USA system is hacked, travel officials and immigration authorities intervene to review the backlog manually. This situation can lead to delays of up to seven days before an answer is received.

The Visa Waiver Countries

There are currently 41 Visa Waiver countries that, as of January 12, 2009, require an approved ESTA USA Travel Authorization to visit the United States via air or sea. Individuals holding a passport from any of these countries may visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program under certain conditions. Travelers with access from any other country must obtain a B-1 or B-2 Visitor Visa in advance. Note that a travel authorization (ESTA) must be applied online in advance, while Form I-94W is usually completed while flying or at the U.S. port of entry.

If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you can travel to the United States using ESTA:

  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Czech Rep.
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom