The term ESTA refers to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This automated system determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The program allows citizens of member countries to travel to the US for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days at a time without a visa.
To qualify for an ESTA, you have to be a citizen of one of the VWP countries and you also have to meet all of the other VWP requirements.
How long does it take to complete the ESTA application form?
The ESTA application form is available at the official website address mentioned above. It normally takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. It is important, however, that you review your application carefully before submitting it, so it may take a bit longer, depending on your individual circumstances.
Before starting the application process, make sure that you have the following information and documents available:
- A valid passport issued by a VWP country.
- Your passport biographical information (name, date of birth, passport number, etc).
- Your travel itinerary details (flight numbers, arrival and departure dates, etc).
- Emergency contact info.
- The necessary debit or credit card to pay the application fee of $21.
What are the steps involved in the ESTA application process?
Once you have clicked on the Apply for ESTA button, you will have to provide the following:
- Enter your biographical information, such as your name, date of birth, passport details, and contact information.
- Enter some personal information, including details about your employment, travel history, and any possible criminal background you might have.
- Enter more info about your travel plans. The list includes your travel itinerary details (including arrival and departure dates), your flight numbers, and your accommodation details.
- Answer a few eligibility questions. In this section, you should respond to questions related to your health, past immigration violations, and whether or not you pose a potential security risk.
- Before going any further, you should carefully review all the information you’ve entered to ensure there are no mistakes. Once satisfied, submit the application and proceed to payment.
Finally, make the necessary payment. You can use your credit or debit card to pay the application fee of $21 USD (as of 2024). Do not forget to do this. Your application will not be processed before you’ve made a payment – and if you haven’t done so within seven days, it will expire, and you will have to start from scratch again.
After I’ve submitted an ESTA application can I check its status?
Yes, you can check the status of your ESTA application online at the same official ESTA website where you initially applied, i.e. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.
To check the status of an application, you will be asked to enter your application number, passport number, and date of birth. You will find the application number in the email confirmation that you received after you submitted your application.
If your application is still pending, you will see a message that says “ESTA Application Pending.” This means that your application is still being reviewed.
Once your application has been approved, you will see a message that states, “ESTA Application Approved.” This means that you are now authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Should your application have been denied, there will be a message that says “ESTA Application Denied.” This unfortunately means that you are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You can still apply for a visa to visit the United States, although we recommend that you first try and resolve the issue that caused your ESTA application to be rejected in the first place.
How long before the start of my trip should I apply for ESTA?
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends that you apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before your travel date. This gives CBP enough time to review your application and reach a decision
If your application is approved, your ESTA will be valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
If you are applying for ESTA at the last possible minute, there is a very real chance that your application may not be approved before the start of your trip. This is because CBP may not have enough time to process the application. Additionally, if there are any problems with your application, such as incorrect information or missing documentation, you may not be able to resolve them in time for your trip. In that case, you could end up trying to board a flight to the United States and being prevented by the airline staff from doing so.
We can not stress this enough: To avoid any problems, it is best to apply for ESTA as soon as possible, especially if you will be traveling during peak season.
If my ESTA application is not successful and I apply for a visa how long will it take?
The processing time for a US visa varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your nationality, and the current workload at the US embassy or consulate where you are applying.
In general, however, you can expect the visa processing time to take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. You can check the visa processing times for your particular country on the website of the US embassy or consulate where you are applying. If you need a visa urgently, you may be able to apply for expedited processing, but this will involve an additional fee.
Here are a couple of tips for speeding up the visa processing time:
- Apply for the correct type of visa.
- Be accurate and honest on the visa application.
- Gather all of the required documentation before you submit your application.
- Make sure that your application is complete and accurate.
- Submit your visa application as early as you can.
- Pay the relevant visa application fee.
- Do not be late for the personal visa interview.
- Be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans and why you are visiting the United States.
Is an ESTA cheaper than a US visa?
Yes, an ESTA is cheaper than a US visa. The ESTA application fee is currently USD 21. The visa application fee for the United States differs depending on the type of visa an applicant is applying for. For example, at the time of writing the application fee for a B-1/B-2 visa is USD 185 (as of 2024).
In addition to the application fee, you may also have to pay other costs, such as a visa issuance fee and a reciprocity fee. The reciprocity fee is charged to nationals of specific countries to offset the high cost of visas that US citizens have to pay to visit those countries.
The total cost of a US visa can, therefore, be significant – particularly if you are applying for visas for a large family. An ESTA, on the other hand, is a relatively cheap way to visit the United States.
If you are a citizen of a VWP country and you are planning to travel to the US for tourism or business for no longer than 90 days, we recommend that you rather apply for an ESTA. It is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to get authorization to travel to the United States.