What is the USA ESTA
The USA ESTA is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization introduced by the American Government to enable citizens of the countries participating in the Visa Waiwer Program to obtain an online travel permit for the purposes of tourism, transit or business.
A holder of the ESTA is entitled to numerous entries to the USA throughout two years of the permit’s validity period or until the individual’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Also, ESTA enables staying in the USA for up to 3 months (30 days) upon each visit.
Please note that ESTA remains valid for 2 years and it cannot be renewed or extended. Should your ESTA expire, you will need to submit a new online application to visit the United States again.
Since the introduction of the ESTA system in the USA in 2009, the number of international travelers has significantly increased. It is no surprise as the ESTA application can be completed within minutes from the comfort of one’s home!
Check your eligibility and obtain the ESTA permit if you consider visiting the United States for short-term related to leisure, business, or transit.
Save plenty of time and go through only a 3-step online application process to receive the approved ESTA straight to your email inbox.
USA ESTA requirements
Applicants eligible for the USA ESTA simply need to have the following:
- a passport from one of the VWP country valid for at least 6 months from the date of the intended arrival in the USA;
- valid means of online payment;
- active email address;
- working electronic device, e.g., laptop/tablet/PC/smartphone;
- stable Internet connection.
Please do note that ESTA processing time may take up to a few business days. Apply for your ESTA at least 3 business days prior to the planned arrival in the United States!
USA ESTA application form
Go to the application panel and indicate your travel purpose. Next, click the ‘Apply Online’ button and go through three steps more, including:
- Fill out the online form: enter all the required details, including your correct passport no., email address, etc.
- Pay the ESTA processing fee: choose the most convenient method of online payment and cover the fee of 49 Euro.
- Refresh your email inbox: receive the application confirmation message containing your individual application number; your ESTA will also arrive into your email inbox as soon as the US Government approves it.
Please bear in mind that the final decision as well as the processing time is at the total discretion of the US Government. Make sure to provide true and correct information in your ESTA application to ensure its immediate approval.
USA ESTA validity
From the moment the US Government approved your ESTA application, your travel permit will remain valid for 2 years.
Throughout this 2-year period, you are allowed to enter and re-enter the United States numerous times. Your every single stay in the country can be as long as 90 days.
Important: Make sure your passport will not expire for the entire duration of your planned stay in the USA. Should your passport expire, your ESTA will automatically become invalid too – both documents are digitally linked. Any change in your passport data, or your passport’s loss will require submitting a new ESTA application.
Who needs an ESTA to the USA – list of eligible countries
ESTA is a mandatory document that must be obtained by nationals of all the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Below, you will find the complete list of the countries eligible for 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
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
Transit Information
If you are among those travelers who just want to transit through the USA before reaching their final destination, you still do need to obtain an ESTA.
ESTA is required even if you do not plan to exit the airport transit area before boarding your connecting flight.
FAQ
When will I receive my ESTA to the USA?
Your approved ESTA will arrive into your email inbox once approved. It totally depends on the US authorities when they issue its approval. Nevertheless, it should take up to a few business days. Double-check your ESTA application form before submitting it further so that no corrections, which could extend the waiting time, will be necessary.
Do I need to print the US ESTA?
As soon as your ESTA is approved, the PDF file containing the ESTA confirmation will be sent to you via email. There is no need to print it out since the issued ESTA is directly linked to the applicant’s passport. Make sure to take your valid passport for your trip.
What if my ESTA to the USA is not approved?
It is very rare that the US does not grant the ESTA approval. Nevertheless, should it happen to you, do not hesitate to contact us immediately. Our experienced visa consultants will do their best to make any corrections (if applicable) to receive your ESTA approval on time.
How long can I stay in the USA with my ESTA?
Every holder of a valid ESTA can enter the USA numerous times and stay for up to 90 days each time. The trip to the United States must be related to tourism, transit or business.
What is the validity of the US ESTA?
ESTA is issued for 2 years and this validity period starts from the date of issue. Please do remember that should your passport expire or be changed or lost, your ESTA will become invalid and you will need to submit a new application.
Do children need an ESTA to the USA?
Yes. ESTA is a necessary document for every national of the VWP countries, regardless of their age. An underage traveler must submit a separate ESTA application. However, as they cannot do it on their own, it is a parent or legal guardian who is responsible for applying for ESTA on behalf of every underage traveler.
What must I have to apply for the US ESTA?
USA ESTA requirements were reduced to the minimum. One only needs to have a valid passport, access to an active email address, valid means of online payment and Internet-accessed working electronic device.
What is the processing time for the US ESTA?
The application for the US ESTA should be completed at least 3 business days in advance of one’s planned entry to the States. The processing time may take up to a few business days. Make sure to provide only true and correct information to avoid the need to re-submit your ESTA form.