The United States implemented its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in 2008 to support its Visa Waiver Program. The system makes it easier for travelers to visit the US and abide by the country's travel laws, removing the time-consuming requirements of applying for a full visa. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the ESTA program.
The ESTA program was rolled out in August 2008 and became mandatory on January 12th, 200Essentially, the program is an automated vetting system that determines whether a traveler is eligible to enter the United Stats without a visa.
There are now 41 countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP was introduced in 1986 to facilitate visa-free travel to the US for select nationals, catering to tourists, business travelers, medical visitors, and other temporary stays.
In light of elevated security concerns after 9/11, the US government imposed stricter entry requirements and eventually decided it wanted travelers to provide certain information in advance of traveling. Since 2010, travelers applying for an ESTA must pay a fee - as of April 2024, it will cost a total of $21 for each approved ESTA, which includes a $4 processing fee and a $17 authorization charge. When the scheme first came out, it was completely free before the US implemented a $14 charge in 2010, going up to $21 in 2022.
To apply for an ESTA, travelers need to visit the official ESTA application website here. The multistep process includes entering personal information and flight details and answering eligibility questions. The program can sometimes require additional information, such as employment details, depending on the circumstances.
After completing Step 6 of your application, you will need to submit payment. Once this is done, the automated system will determine your eligibility and approve or deny your application. Often this happens almost instantaneously, but can take up to 72 hours or longer in some cases. According to the official ESTA application website, the process can best be described as follows:
Once you enter the required biographic, travel, and payment information on the secure website, 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.
The ESTA website claims that the average time it takes to complete your application is 23 minutes, but this does not mean you have been approved yet. An update on your application will usually take no more than 72 hours.
Be advised that travel to certain "countries of concern" will also rule out ESTA approval in the majority of cases. Under the TerroristTravel Prevention Act of 2015, applicants who have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since March 1, 2011, will likely be rejected - however, those who have visited these countries for military or diplomatic reasons will be exempt.
If approved, an ESTA will usually be valid for up to two years (or whenever your passport expires, if earlier), meaning you can apply for one well in advance of your trip without worrying about it expiring too soon. An ESTA is available for stays of up to 90 days for business or pleasure. Be sure not to overstay your 90-day limit—not only is this a criminal offense, but it will likely result in all future ESTA applications being rejected.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advises applying for an ESTA when you make your flight reservation. If you can't make your application right away, be sure to do it at least 72 hours before your flight—leave it any later than this, and there's a good chance you won't get your approval in time. Even with an ESTA, travelers are not guaranteed entry to the US upon arrival in the country - entry for each individual is determined at the discretion of a CBP officer.
An ESTA is usually the best choice for temporary visitors to the US, be it for business or leisure. Compared to visas - which require embassy interviews, weeks or months of processing and higher costs - an ESTA can be acquired within three days (usually a lot quicker than that) at a fraction of the cost.
An important clarification: obtaining ESTA in itself does not guarantee entry into New York upon arrival at customs. It only authorizes the traveler to board the means of transportation en route to the United States. The access to the United States of America is perfected with the immigration and customs controls that are carried out as soon as you land in one of the airports of New York. Here the customs controls will verify your identity, the validity of the documents in your possession (Passport + ESTA) and what you are carrying in your luggage.
If in doubt, do it even a week before leaving for the USA, when you are sure that the trip will take place without unforeseen events, and that the information on the hotel where you are staying is confirmed (although it is possible to change it).
In the first place, if you don’t speak English, you should change the language to something else. For example, you could change it to French, German, or Spanish. There are little flags at the top on the right. Please do so in order to get a better idea of how to answer the questions.
In the next step, pay with a credit card (the only form of payment). There is a fee of 14 dollars for this service. Scams happen if you end up on a website that asks you to pay more than 14$. Leave that site and come back to the right one: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
Authorization pending: Check the ESTA website again, you will receive a response within 72 hours. You will get an email with the number of your ESTA process. If you want to go back to the ESTA website and see how your process is going, you can use this.
If in the meantime other information has changed, such as your passport number because you have renewed it in the meantime (because it has expired/been lost, etc.), then it is NOT possible to update it, but you will have to apply for a new ESTA, following the normal procedure described on this page (with new payment).
You don’t have to print your ESTA. It can also be on your phone. After going through all your documents at the airport, they’ll ask you to show them your ESTA documents. You can show proof of your ESTA on your phone.
ESTA ApplicationEveryone from the UK going to the USA, even those just passing through, must fill out an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) form in advance. This guide explains what an ESTA is, how to get it, how long it lasts for, what to be wary of and how to avoid paying more than the official $21-per-person fee.
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).