The ESTA electronic travel authorization system was set up to reinforce security measures in the United States. It is only accessible to a tiny proportion of travelers. Only nationals of countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program are authorized to apply for ESTA authorization. There is some basic information you need to know about this application before making it. If this is your very first application, read on to find out what you need to know before you apply online.
Traveler information
First of all, you can apply for the ESTA document on the official U.S. government website, or on a specialized site. The private site generally offers a simplified form, asking for a few personal details such as your first name, surname and passport number. On the U.S. government site, however, the form is more comprehensive. In this article, we take a closer look at all aspects of the ESTA form.
The first part of the ESTA application form concerns information about the traveler. This can be you or a third party, as the traveler is not obliged to apply for ESTA himself. Surname, first name, gender, date of birth, e-mail address and employment details are all required.
Passport data and addresses
The second section of the ESTA travel authorization application form concerns passport details. Since identity is already covered in the first section, here it’s mainly a question of passport dates. Your passport number is requested. Make sure it contains 2 digits, then 2 letters and finally 5 digits. This is the most common error made when filling in the online form, so be sure to reread it several times before validating this step. You’ll also need to provide the date your passport was issued and its expiry date. This proves to the American authorities that you have a valid passport. Please note that only biometric passports and electronic passports are acceptable forms of identification for your stay in the USA. Under no circumstances can you travel to the USA with an identity card or any other type of passport. The third section of the ESTA USA form collects information on your home address, your address during your stay in the USA, etc.
Closed questions at the end of the form
The form ends with closed questions, i.e. questions that require a yes or no answer. These cover your health and your history with the French justice system. This section also allows the U.S. government to look into your history with the American justice system and your involvement in reprehensible acts with regard to homeland security in general. In a way, this section retraces your past in order to judge whether or not you represent a danger to the United States of America. Please note that if the answer to any of these questions is yes, you will probably not be able to receive your ESTA and stay in the USA.
Payment information
There’s no such thing as a free ESTA. To receive it, you automatically have to pay the ESTA fee. Whether you order your ESTA USA from the U.S. government website or a private site, you’ll need to pay the required fee to validate your ESTA application. You’ll need your credit card number and expiry date. After payment, you’ll receive a reply within 72 hours.
What happens if I fill in my online form incorrectly?
You don’t have to cancel your trip to the USA if your application was rejected due to an error in the online form. Renew your ESTA application ten days later, as you may receive approval for your trip to the USA.
If the response from the American authorities is a definitive refusal, it is still possible for the traveler to apply for a USA visa at the American embassy. To obtain a U.S. visa, an interview with an officer at the U.S. embassy is required.