The ESTA form is an essential step in planning your next trip to the USA. It is important to note that a single error in this form can result in the American authorities refusing to accept you in the United States of America. Hence the importance of knowing its usefulness, how to fill out the ESTA questionnaire and especially where to complete it.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know before leaving for the USA with your ESTA authorization.
What is the purpose of the ESTA form ?
The ESTA form is used to obtain an electronic authorization to travel to the United States. This authorization is issued only under certain conditions. Foreign nationals are required to be from one of the countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. They must also hold a biometric or electronic passport. The duration of the trip must not exceed 90 days and the national must be traveling to the United States for a vacation, a business appointment or for transit.
Once you’ve completed the ESTA form, the document can be used for the full two-year period of validity. Please note that the passport number is linked to your authorization. If you no longer have the same passport, you must apply for a new ESTA to travel to the USA.
The authorization only allows you to travel to the United States, but the customs officer is the only person who can let you cross the U.S. border.
How to fill out the ESTA questionnaire ?
Now that you know what the ESTA questionnaire is for, you need to know how to fill it in when applying online. This will depend on the site you choose to obtain your ESTA document. Indeed, it is possible to order on a specialized site or on the official site of the American government. Find out the differences between these sites so you can make the choice that is right for you.
Fill out the ESTA on the U.S. government website
If you order from the U.S. government website, the price will be 21 U.S. dollars. The ESTA form is composed of several parts:
- your marital status and valid passport details;
- Emergency contact information and location of accommodation within the United States;
- questions about your criminal and medical history.
It can take up to 72 hours for the U.S. authorities to approve your application, but you may receive the ESTA within minutes. You can fly to the USA as soon as you have received the authorization.
Error in the ESTA form
To enter the USA, your ESTA questionnaire must contain no errors. If you receive a refusal from the authorities because of a typo, it is possible to reapply. You must pay the fees requested by the site.
Is the denial due to non-compliance with the eligibility criteria? You must then turn to the American embassy to apply for a USA visa.