{"id":442,"date":"2014-11-17T21:53:56","date_gmt":"2014-11-17T20:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esta-etats-unis.net\/how-to-obtain-an-esta-electronic-travel-authorization-for-the-usa\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T10:16:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T09:16:22","slug":"how-to-obtain-an-esta-electronic-travel-authorization-for-the-usa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/esta-etats-unis.net\/en\/","title":{"rendered":"How to obtain an ESTA electronic travel authorization for the USA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ESTA, Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is an electronic travel authorization system for the United States. This system was put in place to enhance the security of travel to the United States. The ESTA travel authorization<\/a> for the USA is granted to any person from a country that benefits from the Visa Waiver Program and whose travel for tourism, business or transit lasts no longer than 90 days. We explain the ESTA form, the information you need to enter on it and how to change the information on your U.S. ESTA.<\/p>\n\n

Can I fill out the ESTA form to go to the United States?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

If you are a citizen of one of the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you may be eligible to apply for an ESTA. Here is the list of countries concerned: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

It is mandatory to have a biometric or electronic passport before applying online.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In addition, you must be leaving for tourism, business or transit purposes. This stay must not exceed 90 days on American soil. It is strictly forbidden by the American authorities to stay longer on American soil, you will be in the illegal by committing this act. If you wish to stay longer in the U.S., apply for a U.S. B2 visa<\/a> instead.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Travel from your home country to the United States must be by air or sea with a company recognized by the U.S. government.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

It is also imperative that you have not visited the following countries since March 2011: Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Syria or Sudan. In this case, your request will be automatically denied.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

If you meet all these criteria, we explain how to order your ESTA<\/a> for the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

On which websites can I apply?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

Unlike applying for a U.S. visa, the applicant does not need to go to the U.S. embassy to apply for an ESTA. Everything happens online and in a few clicks. You don’t need to fill in any paper documents – the form is available online. The payment of the order validates your request for authorization, that is why it is useful to have your credit card with you when you fill out the online questionnaire. Without payment, your request is not taken into account.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

You must apply for ESTA<\/a> United States on the official government website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Once the information on the form has been correctly filled out, all you have to do is pay the fee for your request and wait for a response. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will decide whether or not to grant ESTA travel authorization.<\/p>\n\n

How long does it take to receive a response?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

The interest of the ESTA application also lies in the speed of the response. While a USA visa sometimes requires several months of waiting, the ESTA is issued within 3 days maximum, with most often an immediate response.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

To see the answer, go to the official website of the American government and indicate your ESTA number and your passport number. There are three possible statuses: <\/span><\/p>\n\n