What is the ESTA travel authorization?
The ESTA visa is an acronym for “Electronic System for Travel Authorization”. This is an electronic system for authorizing travel to the United States. This authorization was put in place in order to secure travel to the United States.
It is a program developed in conjunction with the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows travel to the United States without a visa. This document is mandatory for all visa-free travelers from countries admitted to this program.
To obtain ESTA authorization, you must complete the application form. You can fill out the form on our website.
Who is the ESTA for?
The ESTA is mandatory for all persons wishing to travel to the USA by boat or plane and staying less than 3 months on American soil. Even small children (babies) must obtain ESTA. You will find the list of countries eligible for the program below.
Do I have to enter the United States with the ESTA?
Possession of an ESTA authorization does not guarantee your admission to the United States. An immigration officer will check you once you arrive at the border crossing. They can effectively deny your admission based on U.S. law.
Is the ESTA the equivalent of a visa?
No. The ESTA and the visa are two different documents that cannot be substituted. When a visa is required, the ESTA cannot replace it. If you have a valid visa with a purpose of stay corresponding to this visa, you can go to this country without ESTA.
How long is an ESTA authorization valid?
The ESTA is valid for two (2) years from the date of approval. It can also be cancelled during its validity or terminated at the same time as your passport if it expires before the end of your ESTA’s validity.
When to apply for ESTA authorization?
It is recommended to make your request at least 72 hours before departure. Although travel authorization can be granted within minutes, if your application is pending, U.S. authorities reserve up to three days to review your application further and provide you with a response.
Can the ESTA application be accepted without a specific project?
It is not imperative to give a specific reason for travel as part of the ESTA application. It does not require your itinerary or your place of accommodation. You can answer “unknown” for many questions for which you do not have the information, such as contact in the United States.
Updates to your file are also not required once the application has been accepted.
Do I need ESTA authorization for a single stopover during a trip?
For a stopover in the United States, it is imperative for a national of one of the ENP member countries to have an ESTA authorization or a valid visa. It is necessary to mention “in transit” at the time of the request.
Why is the ESTA mandatory to travel to the USA?
The implementation of the ESTA authorization allows for the strengthening of U.S. homeland security. With it, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) evaluates your admissibility to the United States well before you arrive there, for air and sea travel. Please note that since 2022 theESTA is mandatory to enter the USA by land. They determine whether your visit poses a threat to national security or violates local laws.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a way to travel to the United States without a visa. It is only for business or tourism trips of less than 90 days. It is not possible to appeal or contest a denial of ESTA authorization.
What countries are included in the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program is the privilege of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Taiwan. You are eligible for the program if you have one of these nationalities.
Who is the Visa Waiver Program for?
Any person who is a national of one of the countries listed above is an explicit beneficiary of the Visa Waiver Program if they meet the requirements.
These conditions are:
- plan a trip of less than 90 days to the United States for sightseeing, a stopover or business;
- have a passport issued by a VWP member country;
- have an ESTA travel authorization;
- travel on a company that has signed the VWP agreement;
- Have a ticket to another country or round trip;
- Be a harmless person (not a risk to local safety, health, balance and security);
- If you have a stopover, your final destination must not be an island adjacent to U.S. soil or a border territory. Otherwise, you must be a resident of one of these places.
Are there any passport requirements in the Visa Waiver Program?
Yes, your passport must meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program, i.e.:
- have an optically readable area on your identity page,
- have an electronic passport, i.e. with an electronic chip containing a digital photo for a passport issued after October 26, 2005
- have a biometric passport, i.e. with a digital chip containing biometric data for passports issued on or after October 26, 2006.
When to apply for a visa to travel to the United States?
The USA tourist visa is mandatory when :
- you are traveling with a non-signatory airline or shipping company;
- you want to stay in the United States for more than 90 days;
- the ESTA application is likely to be refused or has been refused. In this case, the application for a temporary residence visa is required;
- you are going to the USA for a reason other than tourism or business travel.
What do I need to complete my application?
To complete your ESTA application, you need your :
- full name ;
- gender;
- date of birth (day, month, year) ;
- country of birth ;
- country of residence ;
- telephone number preceded by the country code ;
- e-mail address ;
- passport expiration date (day, month, year) ;
- date of issue of the passport (day, month, year) ;
- country of issue of the passport ;
- passport number ;
- list of diseases, allergies, mental or physical disorders that affect you;
- note that it is not mandatory to indicate your Facebook account or other social network accounts.
Please note that all this information must be provided as it appears on your passport.
Is a copy of the ESTA authorization required for boarding at the airport?
No, this is not mandatory. The Department of Homeland Security has already notified the travel company about the status of your application. We still recommend keeping a copy with you just in case.
Do I have to renew the ESTA application for future trips?
It is not possible to renew a travel authorization. A new application must be made. This can be done when:
- the application has expired or will expire soon;
- the passport must be renewed ;
- there has been a change in your life, thus modifying your identification information (moving, marriage, divorce, etc.);
- you change sex;
- you change your nationality;
- one of your answers to the closed questions (yes or no) has changed.
My ESTA authorization will end before I return from the United States. Will I have to reapply before I leave?
No, the ESTA must be valid upon arrival in the United States and not upon return from the country.
What data can I update?
you can update your :
- E-mail address;
- Address to destination (address and city).
What do I do when there are changes to my passport information?
A new ESTA application will need to be made once you have obtained your new passport. The same is true when the information in it has been modified.
Can I correct my ESTA application?
Before submitting your application, it is advisable to verify all your information. If an error is made after the application has been submitted, it will not be possible to modify the information submitted. A new application and payment will be required.
An update function is available to change the boxes that can be changed without re-applying but this only affects your email address and address on site.
There was an error in the passport’s expiration or issuance date. How to correct it?
If the application has been validated and approved, it is not possible to modify these data. You must reapply and make a new payment. The previously submitted form will be automatically cancelled.
What if my ESTA application is denied?
Not all ESTA applications are accepted. If, unfortunately, your ESTA application is denied, you will need to apply for a visa. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information on this process.
Can I reapply for ESTA after it has been denied?
Yes, you can reapply for ESTA if your previous application was denied. However, the answer will be the same if your information remains the same. However, you cannot provide false data in the ESTA application form.
This can lead to a permanent ban on staying in that country. There is also little chance that your second application will be accepted. Therefore, it is best to travel to the United States outside the Visa Waiver Program. This results in the application for a visa.
Will the system give me the reasons for the refusal?
The ESTA system only denies entry to persons who do not meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program. The same is true for individuals who pose a potential risk to U.S. security and safety. In case of refusal, the reasons will not be communicated to you.
If I am refused urgent travel, can I request an emergency appointment at the embassy?
You may be able to get an immediate appointment when the number of pending visa applications is low, but this is not guaranteed. To ensure timely departure, it is best to apply for ESTA several months in advance. This way, in case of refusal, you can apply for a visa in time.