Travel formalities

Security measures for travel to the United States

13 November 2025 comments off

The American authorities are very strict when it comes to immigration. To ensure that homeland security is maintained on American territory, the government has set up various travel authorizations for anyone wishing to stay in the USA.

There are three official travel authorizations for foreign nationals: the green card, the non-immigrant visa and the ESTA. Find out in this article how to travel to the U.S. while respecting all security measures, and choose the travel authorization that best applies to you.

Staying in the United States: particularly strict security measures

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. administration drastically tightened security measures concerning access to U.S. soil. This led to the creation of a special agency: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The main objective of this government agency is to strengthen the country’s internal security. As such, its missions are varied:

  • prevent and manage the risk of terrorism within the country ;
  • fighting illegal immigration ;
  • combat the introduction of illegal products into the U.S. (drugs, contraband, etc.).

CBP is also responsible for granting ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) authorizations for short stays in the USA.

ESTA authorization: what is it?

ESTA authorization was introduced in 2009, as part of the Visa Waiver Program. The purpose of this authorization is to make it easier for travelers to enter the United States, while checking each applicant individually to ensure optimum security.

The ESTA document is not intended to replace the U.S. visa and is subject to very specific conditions:

  • the stay in the USA must be for tourism or business purposes (business trips); it may also be transit;
  • arrival in the country must be by air or sea;
  • Travel to the USA is limited to a maximum of 90 days;
  • travelers must have a valid passport (biometric or electronic passport).

Meeting these eligibility requirements is not enough to obtain ESTA; travelers must complete an online form. The ESTA form is available on several different sites. You can apply either on the official U.S. government website, or on a specialized private site.

In concrete terms, the ESTA form takes the form of an online questionnaire. During this stage, ESTA applicants are asked to provide their marital status and passport details (passport number, date and country of issue, expiry date, etc.). Applicants must also justify the reason for their visit to the USA. Finally, the traveler must answer a number of questions about his or her health, criminal history and previous travels.

In most cases, the ESTA application is granted directly. If it is, the temporary travel authorization is valid for two years, less if the passport expires during that time.

If ESTA authorization is refused, the traveler must apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy.

Travelling to the USA on a visa

Applying for a USA visa is a longer and more tedious procedure than for ESTA. Applicants cannot apply online, but must go through the consular services or the American embassy.

The visa covers a multitude of situations, of which there are more than fifty. Here are the main ones:

  • B-1 visa for business travel ;
  • B-2 visa for tourist stays of more than three months ;
  • F-1 visa for students ;
  • H-3 visa for trainees ;
  • O visa for people with extraordinary skills (athletes, artists, etc.)
  • Q-1 visa for individuals participating in cultural exchange programs.

As well as taking longer to obtain, the visa application is more expensive than the ESTA. A minimum of $185 is required for a tourist visa, and sometimes more for certain visas.

The validity of the visa varies according to the type of authorization, from 1 to 10 years, and is sometimes renewable.

Permanent residence in the United States with a green card

If a foreign national simply wishes to live in the United States and settle there permanently, he or she must apply for a green card. This document is a permanent resident card that allows long-term residence in the USA, with the same rights as American citizens.

The green card is very difficult to obtain, as the government selects applications on a case-by-case basis. In addition, you must have an American sponsor to support your application. The green card can be requested for professional or family reunification reasons, for example.

There is a type of green card that requires no sponsorship and is open to everyone. It is obtained by drawing lots. To be eligible for this green card, you must meet the following criteria:

  • have a high school diploma or have worked for at least 2 years in the last 5 years (for a position requiring at least two years of training);
  • be born in a member country of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.

Obtaining a green card is a real obstacle course. It requires patience and rigor to complete all the administrative procedures. On average, you’ll have to wait almost two years before you’ll finally have your precious travel document.