Electronic Travel Authorization - ESTA Visa - application form is an online system implemented by the United States Government and managed by the Department of Homeland Security, that determines the eligibility of citizens or nationals of designated countries to travel to the United States, prior to initiating the travel.
The purpose of this application is to conduct an initial screening of passengers before opening the right to enter the United States. The online form replaces the onboard paper and customs entry requirements for all passport holders of visa waiver countries.
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FAQ
What is a travel authorization? |
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To strengthen the security of travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, requirements to travel visa-free have been enhanced. Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries will still be eligible to travel without a visa but will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the United States.
Here is how the travel authorization process works:
The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection have provided a secure public Web site with an automated form for you, or a third party, to complete in order to apply for a travel authorization. Once you enter the required biographic and travel information on the secure Web site, your application is processed by the system to determine if you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa. The system will provide you with an automated response, and prior to boarding, a carrier will electronically verify with the United States Customs and Border Protection that you have an approved travel authorization on file. |
Who is required to have a travel authorization? |
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All passengers traveling under the Visa Waiver Program are required to have an approved travel authorization prior to traveling to the United States by air or sea. Even non-ticketed infants are required to have an approved travel authorization, if they do not have a visa for travel to the United States. An application may be submitted by a third party on behalf of a Visa Waiver Program traveler. |
Does a travel authorization guarantee me admission to the United States? |
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If your electronic travel authorization is approved, this approval establishes that you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not guarantee that you are admissible to the United States. Upon arrival in the United States you will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry who may determine that you are inadmissible under the Visa Waiver Program or for any reason under United States law. |
How long is my travel authorization valid? |
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Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The Authorization Approved screen displays your travel authorization expiration date. |
When do I need to apply for a travel authorization? |
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Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that travel authorization applications be submitted at least 72 hours prior to travel. Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. |
What should I do if the information on my passport has changed? |
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If you obtain a new passport or there is a change to your passport information, you must apply for a new travel authorization. |
What is the Visa Waiver Program? |
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The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers admitted under the Visa Waiver Program must agree to waive their rights to review or appeal, as explained in the Waiver of Rights section of the Application screen.
For further information refer to § 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187, and 8 C.F.R. § 217. |
Who is eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program? |
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To enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you must satisfy all of the following conditions. If you fail to satisfy any of the following conditions, you must obtain a visa in order to enter the United States:
Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less as a nonimmigrant visitor for business or pleasure.
Have a passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country.
Be a citizen or eligible national of the Visa Waiver Program country that issued your passport.
Citizens of the following VWP countries are required to present electronic passports: Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Malta, and South Korea.
Citizens from VWP eligible countries other than Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Malta, and South Korea must present a machine-readable passport. 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 10/26/05 have no additional requirements.
If a passport was issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/05 and does not meet the following requirements, the traveler must obtain a visa:
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/05 through 10/25/06 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.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 are required to be e-passports.
Temporary, emergency, official and diplomatic passports are exempted from digital photo and electronic chip requirements, but must be machine-readable. This rule applies to all Visa Waiver Program countries except for Germany. Temporary or emergency German passports are not valid for Visa Waiver Program travel, and must contain a visa for admission to the United States.
Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection Officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waive any rights to review or appeal of 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 Program.
Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of 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 Program.
Obtain an Authorization Approved determination following an travel authorization application.
Have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination other than a territory bordering on the United States or an adjacent island of which you are a resident, subject to certain exceptions enumerated at § 217(a)(8) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187(a)(8).
Not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
Have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
If arriving by air or sea, arrive aboard a signatory carrier, a carrier that signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you out of the United States if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable.
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When must I obtain a visa instead of using the Visa Waiver Program? |
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If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air carrier.
If you intend to visit the United States for more than 90 days.
If you believe any grounds of inadmissibility of the Immigration and Nationality Act § 212(a) apply to you, you should apply for a nonimmigrant visa before traveling to the United States. Although you may be inadmissible to the United States, you may qualify for a non-immigrant visa and waiver, which will allow you to travel to the United States.
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Are there disadvantages to using the Visa Waiver Program? |
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Before using the Visa Waiver Program, be aware of the following conditions that apply and carefully consider your options:
If you are admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status.
If your admission is denied, you have no right to appeal a determination as to admissibility.
If you are found to have violated the terms of your admission, you also have no right to review or appeal, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
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Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program? |
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Andorra - Austria - Australia - Belgium - Brunei - Chile - Czech Republic - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - France - Germany - Greece Hungary - Iceland - Ireland - Italy - Japan - Latvia - Lithuania - Liechtenstein - Luxembourg - Monaco - Netherlands - New Zealand Norway - Portugal - Republic of Malta - San Marino - Singapore - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - South Korea Taiwan - United Kingdom |
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