Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTATM) is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.
When traveling to the United States with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live here. There is no set requirement for how long you must wait between visits.
Who is required to apply for ESTA? All eligible nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under VWP are required to receive an authorization through ESTA prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or vessel.
ESTA is a web-based system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel under the VWP to the United States for tourism or business. Visit the ESTA webpage on the CBP website for more information.
Traveler's emergency point of contact phone and email. Payment method: Fee for application is $21.00 USD. Valid payment methods include MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB or Diners Club only), and PayPal.
The processing of an ESTA can take up to 72 hours. It is also advisable to check the status of an already approved ESTA in advance of traveling to make sure that it is still valid. All applicants requesting an ESTA will be charged for the processing of the application.
The online US ESTA form takes only minutes to complete and your US ESTA request will be processed within 72 hours. Anyone holding a passport from one of the countries listed can apply for an ESTA to the US.
The most common reasons for rejection of ESTA application
Had serious criminal records in the past and convicted, therefore under an appeal or discussion. In the past, applied for VISA or ESTA and it had been rejected. In the past, overstayed when visited the US.
There is no limit on the number of times you may enter the U.S. under either ESTA of a visa.
Primarily, an ESTA overstay will effectively end your ESTA entitlements for life—your current ESTA will be cancelled and you will not likely be readmitted to the program in the future.
Do VWP travelers need to bring a paper printout of their ESTA approval to the airport? No. DHS will be able to communicate a traveler's ESTA status to the carriers. However, DHS recommends that travelers print out the ESTA application response in order to maintain a record of their ESTA application number.
The most common grounds for inadmissibility are: Prior history of criminal activity; Prior periods of unlawful presence in the US potentially subjecting applicants to a 3 year bar (if overstay was a minimum of six months) or a 10 year bar (if overstay was one year or more) from entering the US.
The ESTA application collects biographic information and answers to VWP eligibility questions. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets.
At the start of this year, the Henley Passport Index 2023, compiled by consultancy firm Henley & Partners, revealed that Japan had the most powerful passport in the world. For the fifth year in a row, the Japanese passport bagged the top spot—either alone or tied with Singapore.
The United Kingdom is on the list of countries that may apply for an ESTA. This visa waiver system allows British nationals to visit the US without a visa for up to 90 days.
A Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, is issued to foreign nationals who have been granted permission to live and work in the US permanently. You can obtain a Green Card through various sponsorship programs such as employment-based, family-based, asylum or refugee status, or the Diversity Visa Program.
Generally speaking, it is quite rare that a traveller to the United States needs to make an urgent ESTA application, as the usual processing time for this classic application can take up to 72 hours at most. It is therefore possible to obtain this electronic residence permit in less than 3 days.
The data you provide in your application is reviewed and verified against a series of databases in order to verify your identity and check that your passport has not been reported stolen or lost.
Do I need a visa to go to Florida? Florida is an American state located in the southeast of the United States. All foreign travelers wishing to travel to the United States in Florida must have a valid travel authorization. Depending on the purpose of your trip to Florida you can obtain a visa or an ESTA.
Authorization Approved
Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Although there are no specific rules regarding how many days in advance you need to apply for ESTA, normally you will receive the results of your application within three days, or 72 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for it at least three days in advance.
The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.