ESTA – Electronic System for Travel Authorization
The ESTA form is an online automated system, allowing eligible Visa Waiver Program citizens to request advanced authorization to board an approved carrier or vessel, traveling to the United States. Please see Signatory Carrier for more details regarding approved carriers or vessels.
ESTA application Number
The ESTA application number identifies your approval status for travel. The ESTA application number is located in the top center portion of your approval printout in the ESTA form.
ESTA expiration
The ESTA Travel Authorization is generally valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first. A visitor may travel to the USA multiple times within the two years without having to complete a new ESTA form.
Passport Country of Issuance Found in the ESTA application, the country of issue for citizens eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program should be the same as the Country of Citizenship
Biometric` Passport New passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries since October 2006 include an integrated computer chip and are machine readable. Biometric passports are also referred to as “E-passports”. Biometric passports include a small symbol in the front of your passport under the Country of Issuance.
Machine Readable Passport A machine readable passport may still be valid for certain countries under the Visa Waiver Program. Normally issued prior to October 2005, they contain two lines of text inclusive of letters, symbols and numbers at the bottom of the personal information page.
Children’s Passport Children of all ages traveling to the United States require a separate ESTA application approval. Note, there are some countries that issue a special children’s passport. These may not be eligible under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), unless issued or extended before or on 26 of October 2006.
Authorization Approved Travel authorized. The ESTA travel authorization approval status is found under your personal ESTA application number.
Travel Not Authorized: If travel is not authorized under the ESTA USA system, travelers must obtain a nonimmigrant visa at the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate before traveling to the U.S. Please verify all information in your application is correct.
Authorization Pending On occasion, the system requires additional time to confirm application details. We will continuously check the authorization system for up to 72 hours to receive a final response. In addition, there are occasions where the system is down for maintenance or exhibits communication issues. We monitor such events and make ESTA application requests as soon as available.
Signatory Carrier If arriving in the U.S. by air or sea under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must arrive aboard a carrier, known as a signatory carrier, which has signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you out of the United States if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable. Approved Signatory Carriers for ESTA USA travel can be found in the adjacent link.
Visitor Visa A visitor visa is often referred to as a B-2 visa. This is a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of tourism or other personal or social reasons. They are normally issued for up to six months. If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country, you may apply for an ESTA if your stay is for less than 90 days.
Business Visa A business visa is often referred to as a B-1 visa. This is a nonimmigrant visa for the purposes of business that does not involve receiving a salary or payment from a U.S. source. They are normally issued for up to six months. If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country, you mayapply for an ESTA if your stay is for less than 90 days
Extension of Stay An extension of stay is not available under the Visa Waiver Program. Travel to the United States is approved under the ESTA USA Visa exemption program for a period of no more than 90 days. If your schedule requires you to stay in the U.S. longer than 90 days, please visit your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information on a Visitor Visa or Business Visa.
ESTA renewal If your ESTA form or passport is expired you are required to complete a new ESTA application. Current ESTA authorizations cannot be extended.
