ESTA - FAQ

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a computer-based system used for traveling to the United States for tourism, business or transit. Applying for ESTA is mandatory for citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program, and must be done prior to boarding a flight or ship bound for the US.

The visa waiver program is a U.S. government initiative that allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
It was created to promote tourism and business travel to the United States, and currently includes 39 countries, primarily in western Europe and parts of Asia.

To apply for ESTA you must be a citizen or eligible national of one of the 40 Visa Waiver Program countries:
Andorra Australia Austria Belgium Brunei Chile Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal San Marino Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom

Yes, ESTA is required for citizens or eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who want to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit purposes for up to 90 days.
However, travelers with a valid US visa do not need to apply for an ESTA.

Yes, ESTA is required even if you are only entering the USA in transit to another country

ESTA allows you to stay in the United States for a maximum of 90 days

ESTA allows you to stay in the United States for a maximum of 90 days. If you plan to stay any longer, you must apply for a different type of visa beforehand.
It is important to adhere to the maximum stay and not overstay, as it can result in serious consequences such as future travel bans or visa denials.

You must leave North America completely to reset the ESTA 90 day limit. Travelling to Canada or Mexico to try and reset the 90-day counter is not allowed.

ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. During the 2 years you can enter US without having to re-apply for ESTA.

You can use your ESTA travel authorization for multiple trips over a period of two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
The timer is starting on the date that your ESTA was approved. You don't have to re-apply for ESTA during the two year validity period.

If your ESTA expires while in the United States, your departure date will not be affected. However your passport must be valid for the entire trip.

No, you don't need to wait until your ESTA expires to reapply.

Yes, children are required to have their own ESTA travel authorization to travel to the United States. The ESTA application can be completed by the parents or by the guardian of a child who is travelling to the US. Children must have their own valid passport in order to qualify for ESTA. States.

You need to get a new ESTA if:

It is important to apply for the ESTA at least 72 hours before departure to avoid any travel disruptions.

ESTA requires you to have :

As soon as your ESTA status changes, we will inform you immediately via e-mail.

ESTA allows you to enter the United States for tourism, business, or transit purposes for up to 90 days

No, ESTA only allows you to enter the US for tourism or business purposes. If you plan to work or study in the US, you must explore other visa options available.

Yes, ESTA allows you to undergo medical treatment in the US. The United States can provide world-class medical treatment to patients from all over the world. The country boasts some of the best hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities in the world, with highly skilled doctors and advanced equipment.

Yes, you need to apply for an ESTA even when entering the USA by land. As of 2023 the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will no longer issue Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, to travelers arriving to the United States by land. This change is expected to reduce the amount of time spent at the border and make the process smoother for travelers.

No, ESTA does not require you to have travel plans. However, you will be asked to provide information about your intended travel, such as the address of your first accommodation in the US and your purpose for traveling, during the ESTA application process. It is always recommended that you have at least tentative travel plans before entering the US.

Entry to the United States without a visa is usually not possible if:

You can apply for an ESTA without a return flight, but it is important to remember that an ESTA approval does not guarantee entry into the United States since US border officials could have reason to believe that you intend to remain in the United States illegally. We would recommended to have a return or onward ticket to demonstrate your intent to comply with the US immigration laws.