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The ESTA replaces the I-94W green form and allows travellers to request an authorisation for travel to the US prior to boarding the flight. Completing the ESTA form online is mandatory for all eligible citizens of designated Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries.
The answer is no, ESTA allows you to travel to the United States without having to request the traditional non-immigrant visitor VISA. However, travellers sometimes do refer to the ESTA as an ESTA visa.
If you are travelling to the United States for the purpose of work, a US non-immigrant business visa is required.
If your intentions are to request a permanent stay in the United States, you must complete the procedures for the appropriate VISA.
As of January 20, 2010 all eligible citizens of designated Visa Waiver Programme countries must complete the online ESTA application to receive US travel authorisation. You will not be permitted to board or travel to the US without your ESTA approval.
If you are travelling as part of a group, like a family holiday for example, each member of the group must complete a separate online ESTA form. The travel permit to the US is also required for children, even if they are not required to pay a fare.
You are authorised to complete the ESTA application on behalf of a family member or travelling party. A separate application and fee is required for each traveller.
An approved ESTA or valid visa does not guarantee admission into the United States. The ESTA approval authorises the recipient to travel on an approved carrier to the US. In the same way, travellers with a non-immigrant visa may travel to the United States for the purpose it was issued.
Once arriving at the first airport or port of entry, all foreign nationals with an approved ESTA or valid visa must clear immigration and customs inspection. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your documents and your case, and determine your admission into the USA. There is no transit status for international flights with a connection in a U.S. airport. All passengers from international flights must disembark the aeroplane and proceed through the regular protocol of immigration and customs processing.
Unless revoked, an ESTA approval is valid for two years from its date of approval, unless your passport expires first.
Applications may be submitted at any time prior to your departure to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that travel authorisation applications be submitted at least 72 hours prior to flight departure.
Travellers may submit their ESTA request and receive a valid travel authorisation without specific travel plans or an itinerary.
Foreign nationals travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme are not required to include travel information in order to receive an approved travel status.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages travellers to enter itinerary information to the best of their abilities at the time of the application. For example, information about the hotel or approximate city or location can be entered in the relevant fields.
An approved ESTA application can be updated as often as necessary. The traveller may update information once it has been finalised, or if returning to the US on multiple trips. Travel information fields remain optional and do not interfere or change an approval status.
The guidelines as established by US government recommend eligible Visa Waiver Programme nationals to submit their ESTA applications as early as possible and at least 72 hours prior to their intended departure.
All passengers on international flights with a stop or connecting flight in the United States require proper documentation to disembark and continue through US immigration and customs processing. Eligible citizens of designated Visa Waiver Programme countries must have an approved ESTA.
When completing the online ESTA application, ‘In Transit’ should be entered in the Address Field found under the optional Travel Information heading.
The ESTA replaces the I-94W green form and allows travellers to request an authorisation for travel to the US prior to boarding the flight. Completing the ESTA form online is mandatory for all eligible citizens of designated Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries.
The answer is no, ESTA allows you to travel to the United States without having to request the traditional non-immigrant visitor VISA. However, travellers sometimes do refer to the ESTA as an ESTA visa.
If you are travelling to the United States for the purpose of work, a US non-immigrant business visa is required.
If your intentions are to request a permanent stay in the United States, you must complete the procedures for the appropriate VISA.
As of January 20, 2010 all eligible citizens of designated Visa Waiver Programme countries must complete the online ESTA application to receive US travel authorisation. You will not be permitted to board or travel to the US without your ESTA approval.
If you are travelling as part of a group, like a family holiday for example, each member of the group must complete a separate online ESTA form. The travel permit to the US is also required for children, even if they are not required to pay a fare.
You are authorised to complete the ESTA application on behalf of a family member or travelling party. A separate application and fee is required for each traveller.
An approved ESTA or valid visa does not guarantee admission into the United States. The ESTA approval authorises the recipient to travel on an approved carrier to the US. In the same way, travellers with a non-immigrant visa may travel to the United States for the purpose it was issued.
Once arriving at the first airport or port of entry, all foreign nationals with an approved ESTA or valid visa must clear immigration and customs inspection. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your documents and your case, and determine your admission into the USA. There is no transit status for international flights with a connection in a U.S. airport. All passengers from international flights must disembark the aeroplane and proceed through the regular protocol of immigration and customs processing.
Unless revoked, an ESTA approval is valid for two years from its date of approval, unless your passport expires first.
Applications may be submitted at any time prior to your departure to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that travel authorisation applications be submitted at least 72 hours prior to flight departure.
Travellers may submit their ESTA request and receive a valid travel authorisation without specific travel plans or an itinerary.
Foreign nationals travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme are not required to include travel information in order to receive an approved travel status.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages travellers to enter itinerary information to the best of their abilities at the time of the application. For example, information about the hotel or approximate city or location can be entered in the relevant fields.
An approved ESTA application can be updated as often as necessary. The traveller may update information once it has been finalised, or if returning to the US on multiple trips. Travel information fields remain optional and do not interfere or change an approval status.
The guidelines as established by US government recommend eligible Visa Waiver Programme nationals to submit their ESTA applications as early as possible and at least 72 hours prior to their intended departure.
All passengers on international flights with a stop or connecting flight in the United States require proper documentation to disembark and continue through US immigration and customs processing. Eligible citizens of designated Visa Waiver Programme countries must have an approved ESTA.
When completing the online ESTA application, ‘In Transit’ should be entered in the Address Field found under the optional Travel Information heading.
There are several factors to take into consideration when deciding on one system over the other. Some of the most important are the following:
Length of stay: if your stay in the United States is longer than 90 days, you must request a Visa at the American Embassy; if it is 90 days or less, you may apply through ESTA.
Purpose of your visit: a United States visa will open up a wider variety of possibilities. In the following list you will see the main travel purposes and the recommended option.
In general, if you are visiting the United States for business, you may submit your request through ESTA. Here are some examples: Purchase or sale of a house or any other type of property. Visits to fairs and conventions.Signing contracts, whether personal or on behalf of your company.
Examinations and short courses: for example, summer English courses.
If your visit is for transit purposes, meaning you will only visit the United States as a means to reach your final destination in another country, you may request your permit through ESTA. Cases in which you must NOT apply through ESTA and you must request a USA Visa.
If you will be receiving compensation for your work during you stay in the United States, it is mandatory that you request a United States visa. Persons who submit their request through ESTA may not perform any kind of work activity during their visit.
If your visit is to attend a mid or long term course, you must request a United States visa. Please note that if you are taking several courses, your stay must not exceed 90 days with a travel authorisation submitted through ESTA, as there is no chance of extending or renewing this permit. It is thus highly advised that you request a United States visa if there is a possibility of you continuing your studies.
Requests submitted through ESTA do not allow you to extend, renew or change the purpose of your trip, so while you could get married in the United States, you would not be able to request residence or citizenship, nor an extension of your stay. If you are travelling for the purpose of getting married or believe that this is probable, we advise you to request a United States visa, which would allow you to apply for residence.
If you travel to the United States with the intention of immigrating to the country, your only viable option is a United States visa. ESTA does not allow any type of change to the purpose of your visit and would not allow you to request your residence or getting your green card, not even for a long-term visit.
If you travel to the United States with the intention of immigrating to the country, your only viable option is a United States visa. ESTA does not allow any type of change to the purpose of your visit and would not allow you to request your residence or getting your green card, not even for a long-term visit.
These are the minimum requirements to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) through ESTA:
Your stay in the United States will be 90 days or less. The purpose of your trip is for business, pleasure, vacations, short duration medical treatment, or transit en route to another country. You have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Programme country. You have applied for authorisation to travel via ESTA and the response has been “Authorisation Approved”. You must arrive via a Visa Waiver Programme signatory carrier. You have a return or onward ticket. Your travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveller is a resident of one of those areas. You are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Programme member countries.
Steps and requirements to submit the ESTA form, and travelling to the US without requesting a visa at the United States Embassy.
If you are a citizen of the UK, you may submit your United States travel authorisation request through ESTA and avoid travelling to the American Embassy in London.
The biggest advantage of submitting your travel request through ESTA is that you can do this online and the response is immediate. On the other hand, requesting a United States visa requires arranging an appointment and a personal interview at the American Embassy in London.
The ESTA Form is submitted online. You must have a valid passport (unexpired) at hand, and the credit card you wish to use to pay the fees.
Debit cards are also admissible, but make sure you have sufficient funds as a denied ESTA application may not be resubmitted, and if your application is denied you will have to visit the American Embassy and request a US visa.
Accepted credit cards are: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Accepted debit cards are VISA and MasterCard.
Also have an email address to hand that you access regularly and easily, as well as a telephone number (preferably a mobile phone) where you can be reached before your trip and, if possible, during your visit to the US.
Both the email address and the telephone number are optional (non-mandatory) fields which you may or may not choose to include in your application, but it is advisable that you provide this information, as if you have any questions regarding your application you will be contacted through these means. Your email address, if you choose to provide it, will also be used to notify you of any changes in the status of your ESTA request, or when it is about to expire.
If you do not have an email address, you may create a free account with gmail.com, hotmail.com, or yahoo.co.uk
The application is very simple to fill out. The DHS website is in English, and usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes to fill out the online forms. The response is immediate.
You usually receive a response within a few minutes. The maximum response time is 72 hours.
There is a processing fee and an additional fee if your application is approved. There are no additional charges, but it is possible for your credit card or bank to charge an additional fee. If you use a service such as ESTA.co.uk, they will charge a fixed price that includes all fees and expenses as well as the service cost.
Before you complete payment, verify carefully that all of the information that you have provided is correct, because if you make any mistake, no matter how small, you will have to pay again to correct it. For example, in the US the date format is different and it is a very common mistake found in ESTA Applications by British citizens (services such as ESTA.co.uk have expert agents who fill out thousands of applications per year and guarantee that your application will be correct).
Response is immediate, and it is recommended that you write down your ‘case number’, seeing as this number will be required for any verification or correction that you might have to do in the future. You will also need it to check on your application status.
You may complete an ESTA application before you know the exact dates of your trip, the exact destination or the address where you will be staying, so you are allowed to make certain changes to your ESTA application after starting the application process.
To update any information, you will be ask for your ‘case number’, which the system gave you when you initially submitted your ESTA application, as well as personal information.
You will be asked to provide:
ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that while your stay is limited to just 90 days, the application in itself is valid for two years, so if you plan to travel to the United States you may submit your request up to two years ahead of time without knowing the airline or final destination or purpose of your trip. Once your ESTA application is approved, you will have two years to use it.
If your ESTA application expires during your visit to the United States, you do not have to submit a new application as it must only be valid (unexpired) when you enter the United States.
Though the vast majority of ESTA applications are approved immediately, there is a small chance it may be denied. This does not mean you are forbidden from entering the United States, it simply means you cannot travel to the US with an ESTA.
If your application is denied or ‘inadmissible’, you may request a United States visa at the American Embassy where you will receive a personal appointment and an agent will study your case in detail.
In no case should you try to submit a new ESTA application if your initial application was denied, as there is no chance of it being reviewed. If your application is denied, contact the American Embassy to request a United States visa.
Remember that a migration officer at customs always issues the definitive entry permit for the United States.
Having an approved ESTA application does not guarantee entry to the USA. The migration officer at customs always has the final say, so you should never introduce false information in your ESTA application as the customs agent would detect this immediately and deny your entry into the country.
The customs agent, besides verifying that you meet all established legal requirements, will try to determine the risk or probability that any person may try, or may want to try in the future, to illegally immigrate into the United States. That is why providing sound proof and documents that demonstrate your ties to your country of origin may result very useful in the decisive moment that is your interview with the customs agent.
Whenever possible, prepare documents, preferably official documents that show your family ties outside of the United States. While it may be a hard-to-grasp concept, the stronger your family ties outside the United States, the smaller the risk of illegal immigration. Have documents to hand, such as:
Provide any document that proves your solid economic standing. Provide clear proof that you can pay for your stay in the United States and that once you are in the country you will not be an economic burden on American authorities.
Provide documents such as:
Prove how attached you are to your country of origin. Demonstrate that you have more reasons to go back to your country of origin instead of staying illegally in the United States.
A visa applicant may present any documents that he/she considers will be helpful to prove to the consular officer that his or her intent is not to illegally immigrate to the United States. However, keep in mind that the consular officer who conducts the interview is not required to examine the documentation you provide.
In the case of applications for tourism, transit, and shopping visas, it may be very useful and convenient to have an invitation letter drafted by an American citizen or any other type of permanent legal resident, or in any case, any other person legally staying in the United States.
Specific documentation for your type of visa.
It is mandatory you that present some type of documentation according to the type of visa you wish to receive. For example, temporary work or student visas require specific documents. You should also provide the documents I previously mentioned, as they are basic for all non-immigrant visa applications. Just keep in mind that you must be informed of the specific additional documentation for your case.
What to do if the visa is not granted.
One out of every five non-immigrant visa applications is denied. The reasons are very varied and nuanced at times. A very common reason is failing to prove to the consular officer that you have access to sufficient economical resources and strong ties to your country of origin. In other words, from the officer’s standpoint, there is a risk (small or great) that the applicant may at some point consider living in the United States once the staying period granted by the requested visas has passed.
Clear reasons for a visa denial.
Besides all the subjective reasons that the consular officer must weigh up, there are very clear reasons established by United States law that will result in your visa being denied.
In these specific cases, it is forbidden to return to the United States for periods that range between three to ten years, depending on the length of the illegal stay.
In truly extraordinary cases, it is possible to request an exception to these prohibitions.
Families travelling with children and passengers checking-in more than one luggage piece, should make note of the following recommendations. It is during the very busy times after all, that safety measures at US airports are increased and adhered to.
Remember there are limitations regarding the transport of certain kinds of items.
Remember that it is your responsibility to help your children to go through the airport’s security areas.
For an easy trip, one of the keys to success is packing in a way that it is easy to check your luggage and that complies with security requirements. This way, you will not only make the security and inspection employees’ work easier, but you will also help the flow of people and you will be done sooner.
Find out which items are restricted and which are forbidden before you pack.
Forbidden items are those that you may not for any reason carry, such as:
Other products or items are not allowed on your carry-on luggage but you may transport them in you checked luggage:
It is essential that you pack your carry-on luggage carefully to go quickly through the airport’s security check. If you are carrying liquids, aerosols, or some kind of gel follow these rules:
Liquids, aerosols, and gels must be carried in containers no larger than 100ml.
You must carry them in a transparent plastic back that closes and has a maximum capacity of one litre.
Said bag must be placed in a separate tray to make it easier to inspect.
A traveller is only allowed one piece of carry-on luggage.
There are exceptions to the allowed amount of liquids:
One million people go through United States customs inspections daily.
The process is generally quick at most ports of entry: airports, seaports, and land borders.
All travellers on the plane must fill out one customs form per family. It is mandatory for both American citizens returning home from a trip and for foreign nationals.
Also, foreign nationals travelling with visas must fill out one I-94 form per person. Those travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme who have previously applied through ESTA are not required to fill out the I-94 form.
US citizens and permanent legal residents are also exempt from filling it out.
Migration Inspection.
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer is in charge of performing this.
There are two lines, one for foreign nationals, including green card holders, and another for US citizens, whose passports will be requested by the migration officer.
Foreign nationals must provide, depending on their circumstances, their permanent residences, passports, visas, and additional documentation for certain cases, as it happens with students or K-1 Visa holders.
You may go through the security zone more quickly by following these recommendations (PDF format):
If your child can walk unassisted, it is recommended he/she goes through the metal detector on his/her own. On the other hand, if you travel with an infant, he/she will have to go through the metal detector with you.
The inspection process will also include checking baby strollers and chairs, as well as other baby articles such as diaper bags.
You can speed up the process by taking the following steps:
Generally, the migration officer will decide within a minute if he allows your entry and for how long. He or she will return your documentation with a stamped passport. Also, foreign nationals travelling with a visa will have the I-94 returned with some annotations. These are extremely important because they show your classification from a migratory standpoint and, most importantly, show the date until which you can legally remain in the country. This is the maximum amount of time you can legally stay in the US, not your visa expiration date.
Both citizens and foreign nationals can be asked to go to a waiting room so that a migration officer may perform some additional checks. Waiting time may vary depending on how busy (with international flights) the airport is at the time.
The process is the same as arriving to an airport. The only difference is that, sometimes, migratory inspections are performed inside the ship you are travelling in.
The basic process is the same. However it must be pointed out that US citizens and legal residents may use their passport card to go through land ports of entry, which makes the whole process easier and faster.
Also, Mexican citizens and residents that wish to enter the United States and limit their stay to the border zone may use a laser visa.
Once you have gone through the migratory inspection, both citizens and foreign nationals have to go through customs inspection, also performed by CPB Officers.
Travel to the USA with an ESTA
 Andorra |
 Australia |
 Austria |
 Belgium |
 Brunei |
 Chile |
|
 Croatia |
 Czech Republic |
 Denmark |
 Estonia |
 Finland |
 France |
 Germany |
 Greece |
 Hungary |
 Iceland |
 Ireland |
 Italy |
 Japan |
|
 Korea, South |
 Latvia |
 Liechtenstein |
 Lithuania |
 Luxembourg |
 Malta |
|
 Monaco |
 Netherlands |
 New Zealand |
 Norway |
 Portugal |
 San Marino |
|
 Singapore |
 Slovakia |
 Slovenia |
 Spain |
 Sweden |
 Switzerland |
|
 Taiwan |
 United Kingdom |
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In October 2012 , within the member countries of the European Union , Bulgaria , Croatia , Cyprus , Romania and Poland did not enjoy the privilege of the Visa Waiver while Argentina , Brazil, Chile and Uruguay , were in negotiations with Washington. In May 2013 Chile 's nomination to the program , which could take effect from 2014 was announced.
List of countries participating in the VWP
The passport requirements of the Visa Waiver Programme are complex, but you must not be overly concerned as all passports issued in the UK in recent years meet ESTA requirements.
Your passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page. If the passport was issued on or after October 26, 2005 – Each Visa Waiver Programme passport issued on or after this date must have a digital photo. If the passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006 – Each Visa Waiver Programme passport issued on or after this date must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.
Effective from July 1, 2009, Visa Waiver Programme countries’ emergency or temporary passports must be electronic passports.
Citizens of the following Visa Waiver Programme countries are required to present electronic passports (with a chip):
Citizens of the remaining Visa Waiver Programme countries may present a machine-readable passport (no chip).
What kind of passport do I have?
A machine-readable passport contains two lines of text with numbers and chevrons (<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page with the passport bearer's picture.
Document requirements vary according to the date a passport was issued or renewed as follows:
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before October 26, 2005 have no additional requirements.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2005 through October 25, 2006 must meet the following requirements:
A digital photograph printed on the passport data page is required or an integrated chip containing information from the data page (e-passport). A digital photo is one that is printed on the page, not a photo that is glued or laminated into the passport, regardless of the methods used in its treatment and printing.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006 are required to be e-passports.
For more information, please see the Customs and Border Protection Website, CBP.gov.
Passport owners must provide their passport number and personal identity number or PIN.
You must also provide an email address. If you do not have one, create an account before you begin with the application.
Before paying, make sure all of your information is correct. If you make any mistake in fields such as the address the passport was issued to, or when it expires, and these mistakes are detected after you pay, you will have to start the application all over again and pay once more.
Finishing the application later or making non-essential changes
It is possible to make later changes, for example, to fill out the airline, the city where you will be boarding, your address in the United States, your telephone number or your email address. In these cases, it is sufficient for you to introduce your application number or information such as your passport number, full name, and country issuing your passport.
ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
If your ESTA authorisation expires during your legal visit to the United States, you do not have to submit a new application. All will be fine.
All foreigners entering the United States with a non-immigrant Visa have a document called the I-94 or the entry/exit record, which is fundamental. Until a few years ago, citizens of the Visa Waiver Programme countries that visited the US as tourists, or those travelling on business, had to fill out a slightly different form known as the I-94W. But this is no longer so and the whole record is stored digitally. However, if you enter the United States by land, you still have to fill it out.
The only way to travel to the United States would be to apply for a non-immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Though in most cases ESTA approval is granted, it is not possible to find out the exact reason for denial if it is not granted.
In no case should you be tempted to submit a new ESTA application if your initial application was denied, and lie to get your ESTA approval. It is highly likely that the electronic system will detect your attempt, and if it does not, it will be discovered when you reach US Customs and Migration Officer and he proceeds with his examination. When a foreign national requests ESTA again and lies, he or she becomes inadmissible for entering the United States, and most likely will never be able to travel to the country.
Having the ESTA approval does not guarantee entry to the United Sates. The Migration Officer at customs always has the final say.
Steps and requirements to submit the ESTA form, and travelling to the US without requesting a visa at the United States Embassy.
If you are a citizen of the UK, you may submit your United States travel authorisation request through ESTA and avoid travelling to the American Embassy in London.
The biggest advantage of submitting your travel request through ESTA is that you can do this online and the response is immediate. On the other hand, requesting a United States visa requires arranging an appointment and a personal interview at the American Embassy in London.
The ESTA Form is submitted online. You must have a valid passport (unexpired) to hand, and the credit card you wish to use to pay the fees.
Debit cards are also admissible, but make sure you have sufficient funds as a denied ESTA application may not be resubmitted, and if your application is denied you will have to visit the American Embassy and request a US visa.
Accepted credit cards are: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Accepted debit cards are VISA and MasterCard.
Also have an email address to hand that you access regularly and easily, as well as a telephone number (preferably a mobile phone) where you can be reached before your trip and, if possible, during your visit to the US.
Both the email address and the telephone number are optional (non-mandatory) fields which you may or may not choose to include in your application, but it is advisable that you provide this information, as if you have any questions regarding your application you will be contacted through these means. Your email address, if you choose to provide it, will also be used to notify you of any changes in the status of your ESTA request, or when it is about to expire.
If you do not have an email address, you may create a free account with gmail.com, hotmail.com, or yahoo.co.uk
The application is very simple to fill out. The DHS website is in English, and usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes to fill out the online forms. The response is immediate.
You usually receive a response within a few minutes. The maximum response time is 72 hours.
There is a processing fee and an additional fee if your application is approved. There are no additional charges, but it is possible for your credit card or bank to charge an additional fee. If you use a service such as ESTA.co.uk, they will charge a fixed price that includes all fees and expenses as well as the service cost.
Before you complete payment, verify carefully that all of the information that you have provided is correct, because if you make any mistake, no matter how small, you will have to pay again to correct it. For example, in the US the date format is different and it is a very common mistake found in ESTA Applications by British citizens (services such as ESTA.co.uk have expert agents who fill out thousands of applications per year and guarantee that your application will be correct).
Response is immediate, and it is recommended that you write down your ‘case number’, seeing as this number will be required for any verification or correction that you might have to do in the future. You will also need it to check on your application status.
You may complete an ESTA application before you know the exact dates of your trip, the exact destination or the address where you will be staying, so you are allowed to make certain changes to your ESTA application after starting the application process.
To update any information, you will be ask for your ‘case number’, which the system gave you when you initially submitted your ESTA application, as well as personal information.
You will be asked to provide:
ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that while your stay is limited to just 90 days, the application in itself is valid for two years, so if you plan to travel to the United States you may submit your request up to two years ahead of time without knowing the airline or final destination or purpose of your trip. Once your ESTA application is approved, you will have two years to use it.
If your ESTA application expires during your visit to the United States, you do not have to submit a new application as it must only be valid (unexpired) when you enter the United States.
Though the vast majority of ESTA applications are approved immediately, there is a small chance it may be denied. This does not mean you are forbidden from entering the United States, it simply means you cannot travel to the US with an ESTA.
If your application is denied or ‘inadmissible’, you may request a United States visa at the American Embassy where you will receive a personal appointment and an agent will study your case in detail.
In no case should you try to submit a new ESTA application if your initial application was denied, as there is no chance of it being reviewed. If your application is denied, contact the American Embassy to request a United States visa.
Remember that a migration officer at customs always issues the definitive entry permit for the United States.
Having an approved ESTA application does not guarantee entry to the USA. The migration officer at customs always has the final say, so you should never introduce false information in your ESTA application as the customs agent would detect this immediately and deny your entry into the country.
Your ESTA travel permit is linked to your passport. If you obtain a new passport or any modification is made on your passport information, it is very important that you submit a new ESTA application. If you do not, the customs agent might not allow entry into the USA, even if you have an approved ESTA permit, due to discrepancies between your ESTA application and your passport.
You will have to apply for a new travel authorisation and pay the associated fees.
The ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that while your stay is limited to just 90 days, the application in itself is valid for two years. So if you plan to travel to the United States you may submit your request up to two years ahead of time without knowing the airline or final destination or purpose of your trip. Once your ESTA application is approved, you will have two years to use it.
There are certain cases in which it is mandatory to obtain a new travel authorisation through ESTA:
Refer to the section: ‘What information can I update in my ESTA application?’ to get a complete list of the information that you can change after submitting your application. If the information you wish to modify is in the list, you will not need to resubmit your ESTA application as you may access your information through the ESTA platform and correct it.
Foreign nationals who are travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme may not appeal the officer’s decision.
However, in cases in which a foreigner has a valid visa, it is common that he or she may appeal the officer’s decision before an immigration judge, and the judge’s decision is taken to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
It is even possible that the officer’s decision is uncertain. In such cases, he may allow the foreign national to enter, but summon him or her to appear at the immigration offices closest to his or her destination within the United States.
Establishing, to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection Officer, that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Programme and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waiving any rights to review or appeal the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection Officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Programme.
Reaffirming, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights toreview or appeal the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection Officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Programme.
Obtaining ‘authorisation approved’ determination following a travel authorisation application. Posing no threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States. Having complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Programme through ESTA.
ESTA requests may be submitted at any moment prior to your trip. Once the request is approved, it will be valid for multiple entries into United States territory for the following 2 years (or until your passport expires, whichever happens first).
The VWP is managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and allows foreign nationals from 39 participating countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The CBP or Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency belonging to the DHS, which is in charge of managing, controlling, and protecting US borders and ports of entry. The CBP is responsible for keeping any terrorist or terrorism weapons outside of the country as well as enforcing hundreds of laws in the USA.
Yes, citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Programme require travel authorisation to transit through the United States. If a traveller is only planning to transit through the United States en route to another country, when he or she completes the travel authorisation application in ESTA, the traveller should declare that he or she will be ‘in transit’, and his or her final destination location.
It is a common practice that before the 90 days that are granted by an ESTA permit are over, foreign nationals whose permit is about to expire travel briefly to Bermudas, Mexico, or Canada to request another travel permit for the United States that would grant them an additional 90 days. While entry is granted on many occasions, you must be aware that the migration officer processing your request may deny your entry to the United States, arguing that you are violating the spirit of migratory law. If you find yourself in similar circumstances whereby you need to extend your stay in the United States, we recommend you request a United States visa at the United States embassy of the country where you are, in order to avoid facing the aforementioned situation.
These are the basic requirements for entry into United States territory:
Having an ESTA travel permit or a USA Visa does not guarantee entry into United States territory, so it is important for you to know the entry requirements for the United States and the process you must follow upon arriving at the port of entry.
USA ESTA Form: Steps for submitting your ESTA application for travel to the US.
This is the normal submission process for your ESTA application for travel to the USA, and below are the usual steps of this process. I have added some practical advice and comments, which I hope will be of use.
Application process for travelling to the USA with ESTA.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (similar to the Home Office in the UK) and the United States Customs and Border Protection Service have provided a safe public access website with an automated form to be filled out by yourself or anyone else. The DHS ESTA form is in English. The form we offer at ESTA.co.uk includes a step-by-step guide that will allow you to complete your application without problems.
This article is about completing the process in the original website in English.
Step 1: Complete your Application
Enter all required information:
• You will be asked to provide information from your passport;
• To enter your travel arrangements;
• Your credit card information;
• You will have to answer seven security questions.
IMPORTANT: Each member of your party must have an approved travel authorisation or a visa, regardless of age,
prior to travelling to the United States.
Step 2: Submit your Application
After introducing all your information and clicking on ‘accept’, you may review your answers for accuracy one last time before you make the final submission.
To make corrections, return to the application by selecting the ‘previos’ button on your explorer.
Step 3: Record your Application Number
After you submit your application, the system will provide you with an application number. Record this application number for your records.
If you want to check the status or to update your application, you will be asked to provide your application number, passport number, and date of birth.
Step 4: Make Payment
Enter your credit card information for payment of fees associated with the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 as well as processing fees.
Once you enter your personal, travel and credit card information into the secure website, your application is processed by the system to determine if you are eligible to travel to the United States without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Programme.
Step 5: View your Application Status
The system will deliver an automatic response.
In most cases the ESTA system will return an Application Status immediately.
In cases where more time is needed to process an electronic travel authorisation application, an answer will usually
be returned within 72 hours.
If the response was not immediate, you will be notified by email as soon as your response is received.
Important: keep a printed copy
Before departing for the US, the carrier you are travelling with will verify electronically whether or not your ESTA is valid with the US Customs and Border Protection Service.
It is neither mandatory nor essential that you carry a copy of your approval as the system is completely automated and airlines and ship companies that travel to the US have access to verify the status of your ESTA application.
However, it is wise and practical to write down your number or even to carry a printed copy of your travel permit to speed up the process at the airport before you depart and when you arrive at the port of entry in the United States.
ESTA will provide the validity dates when your request is approved. A traveller must apply for a new travel authorisation when a previous ESTA authorisation or the applicant’s passport expires.
If your travel authorisation is valid for travel to the United States, but expires before your return or exit from the United States, you will not need to apply for an ESTA again before you leave the US.
ESTA travel authorisation must only be valid upon your arrival to the United States.
ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that while your stay is limited to just 90 days, the application in itself is valid for two years, so if you plan to travel to the United States you may submit your request up to two years ahead of time without knowing the airline or final destination or purpose of your trip. Once your ESTA application is approved, you will have two years to use it.
If your ESTA application expires during your visit to the United States, you do not have to submit a new application as it must only be valid (unexpired) when you enter the United States.
There are certain cases in which it is mandatory to obtain a new travel authorisation through ESTA:
ESTA application data remains in ESTA servers for a maximum of two years, which is the maximum period of time that the approved ESTA is valid, or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first. The DHS will maintain this information for up to one additional year. Once this period passes, the data is moved to the archive where it will be kept for investigatory purposes and to allow for information recovery as required by national security legislation.
Once the information is archived, the number of officials with access to it will be further limited. This retention is consistent both with CBP’s border search authority and with the border security mission mandated for CBP by Congress.
Data linked to active law enforcement lookout records, CBP matches to enforcement activities, and/or investigations or cases, including applications for ESTA that are denied, will remain accessible for the life of the law enforcement activities to which they are related.
As DHS transitions to a paperless I-94W, the ESTA application data will replace the data that is collected through the paper I-94W. In those instances where ESTA application data is used in lieu of the information collected through the paper I-94W, the ESTA application data will be maintained in accordance with the retention schedule for the I-94W: 75 years
ESTA is a travel permit, not an identity document. The ESTA authorisation is linked to your passport when you submit your application, so in case your passport expires, your approved ESTA permit also expires. A new ESTA request is required after renewing or updating your passport.
The ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that while your stay is limited to just 90 days, the application in itself is valid for two years. Exact travel dates are not required to complete the ESTA application. The online application form includes optional destination and airline carrier fields. These optional travel detail fields can also be updated once your travel information to the United States is confirmed. The travel authorsiation is granted for multiple trips througout the two year validity period.
There are certain cases in which it is mandatory to obtain a new travel authorisation through the online system:
Reasons pertaining to public health and security, the protection of local animal and plant wildlife and, of course, national safety, are the premises under which these limitations are imposed on what foreign visitors and citizens can bring into the United States.
these prohibitions and watching over ports of entry, whether aerial or maritime.
The same rules apply to both foreign travellers and United States citizens or other permanent legal residents that
return to the country after travelling abroad, as well as foreigners entering the country as tourists or with a kind of visa
or travel permit obtained through ESTA.
There are, besides the list of prohibited products, some products that can be brought into the United States as long as current laws and norms are complied with.
Within this category we highlight:
Any article, software, or even blueprints, if they can be given military use, must be registered and a license must be obtained for them to be introduced into the country.
To be able to go through customs with weapons and/or ammunition, you must obtain a permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
If the person carrying the weapon already had it before leaving the country, he or she will not need to provide said
permit. It is always important to register the weapon with the CBP before you travel using the 4457 form.
It is important to make sure that the vehicles you wish to bring into the country comply with current United States anti- pollution norms.
To make sure, your best resource is the EPA’s website:
The EPA is the agency in charge of environmental affairs for the entire country.
Department of Motorised Vehicles:
In the United States, each state establishes norms regarding motorised vehicles, so you must contact the agency in the corresponding state. Here is a list per state.
Generally, vehicles under 2 years old coming from Europe or Canada comply with all requirements as they are. It is also easy to get a temporary entry permit for the vehicle as long as the necessary modifications are performed so that the vehicle complies with the norms. In these cases it is common to pay a bond that guarantees that said modifications will be performed. If they are not performed, the vehicle must be taken out of the country or destroyed. In any case you will not be allowed to drive in the country without those modifications.
Automobiles brought in by non-residents who will be in the country for less than a year are exempt from complying with these norms, but said vehicles may not be sold in the United States.
If you need to introduce this type of article into the country, you need a permit from the US Department of Agriculture or any of the Disease Control Centres. Among the articles that usually belong in this category are molluscs, animal tissues, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
There is no exact limitation on the amount of alcoholic beverages you may bring into the country. The amount depends on the state to which you are travelling, and you must check before travelling.
To import live plants or seed, you are likely to require a permit.
If you introduce fake articles to United States territory, the CBP may impose a fine or sanctions. Said articles are limited to one per person and in no case may they be sold in United States territory.
It is prohibited to bring into the United States any article coming from embargoed countries such as Iran, Myanmar, Cuba, and part of Sudan.
There are also partial embargos for products coming from countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, the Balkan countries, or Sierra Leone.
There is an exception to this rule: books, magazines, movies or similar products, as well as gifts or items for household use whose value is not greater than 100 USD.
You may only bring medicines that are legal in the United States into the country, and which be bought legally in the US with a prescription.
It is thus illegal to bring in products such as needles, unless you have a doctor’s prescription that proves their medical use, if you are diabetic, for example.
It is important to point out that in the United States, contact lenses require a prescription, so it is necessary to carry enough supplies with you if you will not be able to visit an ophthalmologist in the United States who may prescribe them to you.
You are allowed to enter to the United States with the medicines you normally require. You must always carry a medical prescription with you to prove this, and the medicines must remain in their original container. The amount you may bring in will vary depending on its availability in the United States, how much your treatment requires, and how long you are staying in the country. Also, when the person bringing these medicines in is a citizen or permanent resident, the allowed amount will be limited to 50 doses.
In any case, you must notify the customs agent in the case that any these medicines can be used as narcotics or that are addictive, such as certain cough medicines, anti-depressants, or sleeping pills.
It is possible to introduce most processed foods as well as coffee, tea, honey, spices, vinegar, and oil into the United States.
Instant soups and similar products are not allowed.
Some baking products as well as cheese are allowed. It is important to check whether the foods you are bringing in are allowed.
You may introduce rice, but it can be problematic.
Unprocessed vegetables and fruit must be declared at customs and may be allowed depending on their place of origin as well as the place of origin of the person carrying them. Not declaring these articles may incur a 500 USD fine.
Introducing farm animal meat into the country is prohibited whether it is raw or processed... So no, you may not take a piece of ham with you.
To be able to introduce these articles you must prove beyond any doubt that these are not stolen objects, so you must clearly prove their succession of ownership.
As long as you have an export permit issued by the country of origin, you may bring objects such as sculptures, murals, ritual objects and colonial art into the United States. You must be careful, as there are many cases in which permits issued by stores, even renowned establishments, may be fake or not valid.
With the purpose of not encouraging the art plunder that has been common in certain countries, art objects coming from Mali, Cyprus, Iraq, or Cambodia are examined with special care.
Throughout most of the United States, cats do not need a rabies vaccine certificate. Dogs, however, do need it, unless they come from a country where there are no cases of rabies. The vaccine must be administered between 30 days and one year before travelling.
While it is not required at customs, keep in mind that the airline you are travelling with will probably require a good health certificate that shows that the animal is not suffering or carrying a contagious disease.
It is strongly recommended that you are informed on each state’s requirements when you bring pets into the US. Laws and norms vary from state to state.
It is prohibited to import products containing dog or cat hair. The fine for breaking this prohibition may reach $10,000.
As for house birds, they must be quarantined when entering the United States. The owner must notify this before travelling, fill out the VS 17-129 form and pay for the cost of the quarantine, also before travelling.
Hamsters, rabbits, Guinea pigs and similar animals can be brought in without paperwork by it is advisable to have some recent certificate on hand to prove they are in good health to avoid problems at customs.
ESTA application data remains in ESTA servers for a maximum of two years, which is the maximum period of time that the approved ESTA is valid. If the obtained permit expires before these two years, the data present in ESTA servers is also archived.
DHS will maintain this information for up to one additional year. Once this period passes, the data is moved to the archive where it will be kept for investigatory purposes, and to allow for information recovery as required by national security legislation. Once the information is archived, the number of officials with access to it will be further limited.
This retention is consistent both with CBP’s border search authority and with the border security mission mandated for CBP by Congress. Data linked to active law enforcement lookout records, CBP matches to enforcement activities, and/or investigations or cases, including applications for ESTA that are denied, will remain accessible for the life of the law enforcement activities to which they are related.
As DHS transitions to a paperless I-94W, the ESTA application data will replace the data that is collected through the paper I-94W. In instances where ESTA application data is used in lieu of the information collected through the paper I-94W, the ESTA application data will be maintained in accordance with the retention schedule for the I-94W: 75 years.
The information collected by and maintained in ESTA may be used by other components of DHS on a need-to-know basis, consistent with the component’s mission.
Under current agreements between DHS and the Department of State (DOS), information submitted during an ESTA application may be shared with consular officers of DOS to assist them in determining whether a visa should be issued to an applicant after a travel authorisation application has been denied.
Also, any information submitted in an ESTA form may be shared with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign governmental agencies or multilateral governmental organisations responsible for investigating or prosecuting the violations of, or for enforcing or implementing, a statute, rule, regulation, order or license, or where DHS believes information would assist enforcement of civil or criminal laws.
Additionally, information may be shared when DHS reasonably believes such use is to assist in anti-terrorism efforts or intelligence gathering related to national or international security or transnational crime. All sharing will remain consistent with the Privacy Act System of Records Notice, which was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2008 and is available on the DHS Web site.
While carriers will not receive the ESTA application information that travellers provide to DHS, they will receive confirmation of a passenger’s ESTA status via the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), indicating whether an ESTA is required and whether authorisation has been granted and is still valid (that it has not expired or been cancelled).
If you travel as part of a group, like your family for example, each member of your family must fill out an ESTA Form; even the underage members who do not pay a fare must have an approved travel authorisation.
If any member of your family does not have a Visa for travel to the US, you are authorised to submit an ESTA request on behalf of another traveller (your spouse or children, for example), applying for an additional ESTA form per traveller.
Applying for your ESTA travel permit is a simple process that takes between 5 and 15 minutes, and you receive an immediate response to your request.
It is important that you apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before your trip, as this is the maximum response time for the DHS. Applying with enough time will assure that you get a response before your trip.
If you have reasonable doubts as to whether your ESTA application will be approved or denied, it is best to apply for an ESTA at least 15-20 days before. Thus, if your application is denied, you may request a visa.
The minimum computer configuration to be able to access the online system and submitting you application for United States travel authorisation are very simple, and any modern computer will meet the requirements. In any case, if your computer is older or if you have not updated your software in a very long time, make sure your computer has updated versions of:
How does my computer need to be equipped in order to submit an application for an ESTA for authorisation to travel to the United States?
The minimum computer configuration to be able to access the online system and submitting you application for United States travel authorisation are very simple, and any modern computer will meet the requirements. In any case, if your computer is older or if you have not updated your software in a very long time, make sure your computer has updated versions of:
Your travel authorisation has been approved and you are authorised to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme.
The system displays confirmation of the application approval and a payment receipt notice showing the amount charged to your credit card.
Remember that a travel authorisation does not guarantee admission to the United States. An approved ESTA application only allows travel to the port of entry, where a Customs and Border Protection Officer will have the final determination on whether you are admitted into the United States or not.
For more information we recommend reading this article:
The Visa Waiver Program ESTA Application
You are not authorised to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme. The system displays a payment receipt notice showing the amount charged to your credit card for the processing of the ESTA application.
The electronic system has determined that you cannot travel through the VWP by applying to ESTA. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits you from travelling to the United States using an ESTA, but you may still request a US visa, so I recommend you contact the American Embassy in London to request a visa.
Your travel authorisation is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application.
This response does not indicate negative findings; it only means that your application requires a review (keep in mind that an automated system cannot solve 100% of all cases immediately).
A determination will usually be available within 72 hours and you will be notified by email so you can check on the definitive status of your request.
When you receive the notification, return to this website and choose ‘Retrieve Previously Submitted Authorisation to Travel to the United States for One or More Persons.’
Your application number, passport number, and date of birth will be required to check the status of your application.
Remember that a travel authorisation does not guarantee entry to the United States, as a US Customs and Border Protection Officer at the US entry port will make the final decision (this is the way in all cases, regardless of the travel permit you have, whether it is an ESTA or a visa).
If your application is denied you may not travel to the USA using ESTA, but you may request a United States non-immigrant visa at the American Embassy in the UK. This response does not deny you entry to the United States; it simply prohibits you from travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme with ESTA.
Application approvals will usually be granted for a maximum of two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever happens first.
ESTA will provide the validity dates when your request is approved. A traveller must apply for a new travel authorisation when a previous ESTA authorisation or the applicant’s passport expires.
If your travel authorisation is valid for travel to the United States, but expires before your return or exit from the United States, you will not need to apply for an ESTA again before you leave the US.
ESTA travel authorisation must only be valid upon your arrival to the United States.
Can I apply for an ESTA if I am not sure whether I will be travelling to the United States?
Potential travellers may submit their ESTA request and receive travel authorisation without specific travel plans if they want to be able to travel at any given moment. Visa Waiver Programme travellers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for a travel authorisation. If a traveller’s destination address in the United States is unknown, at the time when he or she completes the application for an ESTA for travel authorisation, the traveller should enter the name of the hotel or approximate location he or she intends to visit. Travellers may update this information when their plans are finalised, but they will not be required to update their destination addresses or itineraries should they change after their travel authorisation has been approved. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that applications for travel authorisation be submitted for an ESTA as early as possible, as soon as, or even before travel is planned.
Travellers applying for admission to the United States with an ESTA, who are determined to be inadmissible to the United States, will be denied admission to United States territory and returned to their country of origin, or a third country from which the traveller holds a round-trip ticket, aboard the carrier on which the traveller arrived in the United States.
If you receive a ‘Travel Not Authorised’ response to your ESTA application but still wish to travel to the United States, you must request a visa from the United States Embassy in the UK. This response only prohibits you from travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme and does not determine your eligibility for a visa.
If your ESTA application is denied and you wish to proceed with your travel plans, you must request a non-immigrant visa at the United States Embassy in London or the United States Consulate in Edinburgh or Belfast. You will find additional information on the visa request process online at the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
DHS has carefully developed the ESTA programme to ensure that only those individuals who are ineligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme, or those whose travel would pose a law enforcement or security risk, are refused a travel authorisation. While the ESTA website provides a link to the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Programme (TRIP) website, there are no guarantees that a request for redress through DHS TRIP will resolve the Visa Waiver Programme ineligibility that caused an applicant’s ESTA application to be denied.
Please note that embassies and consulates are not able to provide details about ESTA denials or resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial. Embassies and consulates will be able to process an application for a non-immigrantvisa that, if approved, will be the only way that a traveller whose ESTA application has been denied would be authorised to travel to the United States.
Unfortunately, the Department of State is unable to guarantee next-day appointments because of varying demand for Visas. As a result, travellers are encouraged to apply for an ESTA approval far in advance of the proposed travel. Remember, you can submit your ESTA application ahead of time, even if you are not sure if you will travel to the United States, and details such as your address and contact information can be modified after you get your travel permit.
Information about the appointment process is available at the nearest consular section or at www.travel.state.gov.
If a traveller is denied ESTA authorisation and his or her circumstances have not changed, a new application will also be denied. A traveller who is not eligible for ESTA is not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Programme, and should apply for a non-immigrant Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Reapplying with false information in order to qualify for travel authorisation will make the traveller permanently ineligible for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme.
For more information, you can visit the State Department’s website: www.travel.state.gov or the consulate’s website:
The biggest advantage of submitting your travel request through ESTA is that you can do so online and the response is immediate. On the other hand, requesting a United States visa requires you to schedule an appointment and a personal interview at the American Embassy in London.
The ESTA Form is submitted online. You must have a valid passport (unexpired) to hand, and the credit card you wish to use to pay the fees.
Debit cards are also admissible, but make sure you have sufficient funds as a denied ESTA application may not be resubmitted, and if your application is denied you will have to visit the American Embassy and request a US visa.
Accepted credit cards are: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Accepted debit cards are VISA and MasterCard.
Also have an email address to hand that you access regularly and easily, as well as a telephone number (preferably a mobile phone) where you can be reached before your trip and, if possible, during your visit to the US.
Both the email address and the telephone number are optional (non-mandatory) fields which you may or may not choose to include in your application, but it is advisable that you provide this information, as if you have any questions regarding your application you will be contacted through these means. Your email address, if you choose to provide it, will also be used to notify you of any changes in the status of your ESTA request, or when it is about to expire.
If you do not have an email address, you may create a free account with gmail.com, hotmail.com, or yahoo.co.uk
The application is very simple to fill out. The DHS website is in English, and usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes to fill out the online forms. The response is immediate.
You usually receive a response within a few minutes. The maximum response time is 72 hours.
There is a processing fee and an additional fee if your application is approved. There are no additional charges, but it is possible for your credit card or bank to charge an additional fee. If you use a service such as ESTA.co.uk, they will charge a fixed price that includes all fees and expenses as well as the service cost.
Before you complete payment, verify carefully that all of the information that you have provided is correct, because if you make any mistake, no matter how small, you will have to pay again to correct it. For example, in the US the date format is different and it is a very common mistake found in ESTA Applications by British citizens (services such as ESTA.co.uk have expert agents who fill out thousands of applications per year and guarantee that your application will be correct).
Response is immediate, and it is recommended that you write down your ‘case number’, seeing as this number will be required for any verification or correction that you might have to do in the future. You will also need it to check on your application status.
You may complete an ESTA application before you know the exact dates of your trip, the exact destination or the address where you will be staying, so you are allowed to make certain changes to your ESTA application after starting the application process.
Airline you are travelling with.
Departure city for your trip.- Address where you will be staying during your time in the United States.
Contact telephone number.
Email address where your wish to receive notifications.
To update any information, you will be ask for your ‘case number’, which the system gave you when you initially submitted your ESTA application, as well as personal information.
You will be asked to provide:
ESTA travel authorisation is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that while your stay is limited to just 90 days, the application in itself is valid for two years, so if you plan to travel to the United States you may submit your request up to two years ahead of time without knowing the airline or final destination or purpose of your trip. Once your ESTA application is approved, you will have two years to use it.
If your ESTA application expires during your visit to the United States, you do not have to submit a new application as it must only be valid (unexpired) when you enter the United States.
Though the vast majority of ESTA applications are approved immediately, there is a small chance it may be denied. This does not mean you are forbidden from entering the United States, it simply means you cannot travel to the US with an ESTA. If your application is denied or ‘inadmissible’, you may request a United States visa at the American Embassy where you will receive a personal appointment and an agent will study your case in detail.
In no case should you try to submit a new ESTA application if your initial application was denied, as there is no chance of it being reviewed. If your application is denied, contact the American Embassy to request a United States visa.
Remember that a migration officer at customs always issues the definitive entry permit for the United States.
Having an approved ESTA application does not guarantee entry to the USA. The migration officer at customs always has the final say, so you should never introduce false information in your ESTA application as the customs agent would detect this immediately and deny your entry into the country.
If you plan on doing any driving in the United States, it is recommended that you obtain an international driver’s license.
The Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) is a US Government Programme, specifically from the Department of Homeland Security (DHP), an equivalent to the Home Office in the UK. It authorises entry to the United States to foreign nationals of 39 countries with low illegal immigration rates to the United States, without the need for applying for a US Visa.
The VWP allows for a stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, medical, or any other non-work related stay shorter than 90 days.
In which cases can I apply to ESTA?
ESTA stands for ‘Electronic System for Travel Authorisation’.
ESTA allows to travellers to file, and receive, a travel permit to the United States online, based on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). Currently the VWP only allows for online applications through ESTA.
ESTA is an authorisation for travel to the United States issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and filed through an electronic system that allows prospective travellers to request an entry permit into the United States online.
No, ESTA allows you to travel to the United States without the need for a VISA and is limited to certain cases for a maximum stay in the United States of 90 days.
Working hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: https://uk.usembassy.gov/
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1K 6AH
United Kingdom
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom
Switchboard: [44] (0)20 7499-9000
You may also schedule an appointment through the call center:
Callers from within the UK should dial 020-3608-6998
Callers from within the U.S. should dial 1-703-439-2367
Working hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: http://edinburgh.usconsulate.
3 Regent Terrace
Edinburgh EH7 5BW
Phone [44] (0)131 556 8315
Fax [44] (0)131 557 6023
Working hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: http://belfast.usconsulate.gov
Danesfort House
223 Stranmillis Road
Belfast BT9 5GR
Phone: [44] (0)28 9038 6100
Fax: [44] (0)28 9068 1301
All passengers travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme must apply for
ESTA authorisation, which must be approved before travelling to the United States by air or sea.
If you travel as part of a group, such as your family for example, each member of your family
must fill out an ESTA Form; even the underage members who do not pay a fare must have
approved travel authorisation.
If any member of your family does not have a visa for travel to the US, you are authorised to
submit an ESTA request on behalf of another traveller (your spouser or children, for example),
applying for an additional ESTA form per traveller.
Does an ESTA or a visa guarantee entry to the United States?
If your ESTA request or visa is approved, you are allowed to travel to the United States. This
does not guarantee admission into United States territory.
Once you arrive to the United States, at the entry port, a US Customs and Border Protection
Officer will review your case, and will determine whether or not you may be admitted based on
United States law.
How long is my ESTA approval valid for?
Unless revoked, an ESTA approval is valid for two years from the approval date, or until the
passport expires, whichever comes first.
Do I need to apply for an ESTA if I will only be transiting the United States en route to another country?
Yes, citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Programme require travel
authorisation to transit through the United States.
If a traveller is only planning to transit through the United States en route to another country,
when he or she completes the travel authorisation application in ESTA, the traveller should
declare that he or she will be "In Transit", and state his or her final destination location.