ESTA Application

 Ready to get your ESTA? The guide below explains exactly what an ESTA is, when you need one and what to watch out for. But if you’re ready to get your ESTA now, apply via the official ESTA website.

 It replaced the old system of filling out a green I-94W piece of paper on a plane into the US. With that method, you'd only find out on arrival if US security decided you didn't fit under the VWP, based on what you put on the form and any further questions asked.

 Only a US Customs and Border Protection officer at the point of entry can decide whether you're actually allowed in or not. He or she may decide that you don't fit the VWP criteria after all. It's completely at their discretion.

 Dual national of or travelled to, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen? You might need to apply for a visa. Even if you have a British passport, if you've travelled to these countries since 1 March 2011, you'll need to contact the US Customs and Border Agency to check.

 Four dollars covers the ESTA administration and, rather bizarrely, $17 goes to a fund to promote US tourism – ironic as perhaps a better way to promote US tourism would be not to charge people who want to visit.

 Just before booking flights or accommodation, the very first thing to do is to apply for your permit to travel, just in case you're rejected or forget nearer the time of the journey. This minimises the risk of losing flight or hotel money.

 Simply visit the US Department of Homeland Security’s ESTA page. The instructions are available in a choice of languages, but your responses must be in English. It’s far from a slick website, so pay careful attention as you complete each page. It should only take about five minutes.

 The latter can be added or amended at a later time, but approximate info is often sufficient. For a full list of what you'll need to provide and help on how to answer the questions, go to the US Department of Homeland Security.

 Although you don’t need to present the reference number at Border Protection when you land on US soil, print it out and bring it to the airport. That's because some airlines may require the printout upon check-in, so check with yours. Rather frustratingly, it isn't emailed to you.

 However, if you do lose it, it's possible to get it back on the ESTA website. Click 'Check ESTA status' and enter your name, passport number and date of birth. This is also a handy way to check if you're still covered by a previous ESTA, as the site will also tell you when your ESTA expires.

 The US Department for Homeland Security says it can’t stop this. But its logo is trademarked, so only if you see this will it be legit (though the scam websites do have very good imitations). The easiest thing to remember is: use the link in this guide and it's the official route.

 Travellers denied an ESTA should apply for a non-immigrant visa at a US Embassy. They'll still be charged a $4 admin fee for the rejected ESTA application. Visit the US Department of State website for more info on visas.

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 Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).

 Traveling for purposes other than tourism, business, or transit: The VWP covers visits for tourism, business, or transit only. If your purpose of visit involves family reunification, working, or another type of immigration, you’ll need to apply for a corresponding visa, such as a fiancé visa (K-1) or a work visa (H-1B).

 Inadmissibility: If you have past history such as criminal convictions or violations of U.S. immigration laws (such as overstaying a visa or being deported), you may be inadmissible. Inadmissible individuals are not allowed to apply for entry into the U.S. unless they have an approved Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.

 Step Fill out the Application Form: The form asks for details such as your name, date of birth, passport information, and travel plans. You will also need to answer eligibility questions related to health, criminal history, and travel history.

 Welcome to our ESTA Visa Blog. Stay up to date with all our latest news and launches. Only the best quality makes it onto our ESTA Visa Blog! If there is a topic you would like us to write about then please get in touch with us on contact page. We will be adding all of the latest news and relevant topics to do with travel to the USA and how it may affect your application for travel. We also like to cover other topics that may be of interest to you once you arrive in the USA. Please check back regularly for the latest posts.

ESTA Application

 Holidays in Monterey with your ESTA application and ESTA USA ESTA USA travel – Welcome to our ESTA travel guide for Monterey. ESTA stands for “Electronic System for Travel Authorisation”. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security manages the VWP which issues the ESTA. You can comple…

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 The ESTA mobile app is available in 24 languages and serves travellers in all 41 VWP countries. These citizens are permitted to travel to the U.S. for business or tourism and stay up to 90 days without a visa. The ESTA application is valid for two years or until the traveller’s passport expires.

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 An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is part of the USA’s visa waiver program, which lets visitors stay for 90 days or less. Most people from the UK will need to get one in advance of their trip, regardless of whether they arrive by boat or plane.

 Note that you don’t need an ESTA if you’re driving into the country from Mexico or Canada. Those who are going to the USA to work or for longer than 90 days won’t be eligible for an ESTA and will need to apply for a visa instead.

 You apply via the US Department of Homeland Security’s ESTA web page. You’ll be asked for details like your home address, passport number and expiry date. You can add or amend the address where you're staying in the States at a later time.

 In terms of how long it takes to get an ESTA, once you’ve submitted your ESTA application, you may be told instantly whether it’s been accepted or rejected. In other cases, you can check the status afterwards, as a decision can take up to 72 hours.