ESTA travel authorization for the USA

Travelling to the United States without an American visa

Formalities for a stay of less than 90 days in the USA can be completed directly online. It is not necessary to obtain an appointment at the American Embassy or Consulate.

For a stay of less than 90 days in the United States: You can complete the formalities by clicking on the online form.

The online form can be completed in just a few minutes if you have your passport, and all you have to do is fill in the personal information requested to obtain ESTA authorization. Payment is made directly after completing the online form, and you will receive confirmation that your ESTA is validated within minutes.

What is ESTA?

The ESTA is an electronic travel authorization for the United States. It was introduced by the U.S. government in 2009 and must be obtained prior to boarding. The ESTA authorization is reserved for business trips and tourist stays of up to 90 days on American soil. The ESTA is also mandatory for a simple stopover on the American territory.

The ESTA is required for all eligible persons traveling by air and sea, and must be completed for each family member, including infants. You must have an ePassport or a biometric passport to apply. You no longer need to go to the U.S. Embassy or a consulate, as the application process is done entirely online. To learn more, read our page on what is the ESTA.

The ESTA is valid for two years, during which time the traveler may make as many return trips as he or she wishes. Once the validity period has expired, or if you obtain a new French passport in the meantime, a new online application must be made. In order to obtain this travel authorization, you must fill out the ESTA form. For more information on ESTA, click here.

Why is ESTA mandatory?

Traveling to the United States without a travel authorization, ESTA or US visa, is not possible. The ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is a device for strengthening security measures for travel to the United States. It is a system of pre-selection of each traveler. Based on the information provided when filling out the online questionnaire, the U.S. authorities will determine whether or not the traveler is allowed to travel to the United States without a visa.

The ESTA increases security while reducing the waiting time at the border, since it allows the customs service to have information on travelers even before they arrive on American territory. The DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is responsible for managing your ESTA application.

Which countries are covered by ESTA?

ESTA is based on the Visa Waiver Program. This scheme applies to nationals of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.

You are eligible for ESTA if you have one of these nationalities and you wish to travel to the United States for a temporary stay.

What is the difference between visa and ESTA?

We often see the two words visa and ESTA associated with each other. Many people talk about ESTA visas because the ESTA travel authorization allows entry into the USA. The issuance of a B2 tourist visa is much more binding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The various American visas allow foreign nationals to stay much longer in the United States than with an ESTA, which only allows a maximum stay of 90 days in the USA.

Obtaining a U.S. visa is a longer and more complicated process than simply obtaining ESTA authorization via the Internet. To obtain a visa for the USA, the applicant must attend an interview at the American embassy. This interview with an American agent is mandatory and decisive in obtaining a visa for travel to the USA.

How long does it take to process my ESTA form?

Once the ESTA form has been completed and payment made, processing of the ESTA authorization application begins immediately. The first step is to verify your information. This operation allows us to detect any errors or omissions when filling out the online form. If the information is complete and accurate, you can receive your application within minutes.

This document can take up to 72 hours to be issued if your application is placed on hold by the U.S. authorities. In this case, the American authorities allow themselves a maximum of three days to study your file and send us a reply.
Once you have received your ESTA, take the opportunity to read our advice on traveling to the United States. Whether you’re planning a trip to New York City, Niagara Falls or Florida, your next trip to the USA will be that much easier to plan.

Can I travel to Canada or the UK with an ESTA?

ESTA authorization does not allow entry into Canada or the UK. ESTA is for entry to the United States only. Since 2016, Canada has introduced a computerized travel authorization system similar to that of the United States. This system issues an eTA Canada authorization to travelers wishing to visit Canada.

In 2024, the British also launched their electronic travel certificate program, issuing an eTA for the UK. This advance travel certificate enables eligible foreign travelers to make a short stay in the UK without a visa.