There are many sites offering to issue ESTA documents. Let’s take a look at how to obtain an official ESTA document and avoid excessive prices.

ESTA form: how and where to fill it in?

ESTA is an electronic travel form introduced under the Visa Waiver Program. To fill in the questionnaire, you can visit the official U.S. government website, or go to private platforms specially dedicated to ESTA issuance.

Contents of the ESTA form

If you come across a private site that promises to provide you with temporary residence authorization without having to fill in the ESTA form, chances are it’s an attempted scam. The ESTA form is sent directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, so that it can draw up a precise profile of the traveler and ensure that entry into the U.S. does not pose a risk to U.S. citizens. The online form is therefore an essential step in obtaining your ESTA authorization.

What’s more, the official ESTA questionnaire requires you to provide specific information. It is divided into three parts:

• the first part is dedicated to the traveler’s personal information (surname, first name, date and place of birth, etc.);
• The second part is designed to provide information about your biometric or electronic passport (passport number, country of issue, expiry date) as well as the conditions of your trip (reason for stay, address in the USA, etc.);
• the third part consists of closed questions about your health and any criminal record you may have.

Here again, beware. If you visit a site that asks you to fill in an online form that doesn’t ask for any of this information, it may be a red flag. You’ll need to be extremely vigilant, as this could be a fraudulent site.

ESTA fee: the online payment stage

The online ESTA application is subject to a fee. However, the price is still more attractive than that of a tourist visa or any other American visa.

The basic fee for ESTA authorization is $40. Private service providers usually add an additional fee for individualized assistance.

If the total cost of your ESTA turns out to be more than €100, it’s not justified, so don’t be fooled.

You should also make sure that the payment site respects the “HTTPS” protocol. To do this, simply check your browser’s address bar: the word “HTTPS” should appear before the domain name. This protocol ensures that the payment procedure is reliable and secure, considerably reducing the risk of your credit card number being stolen.

ESTA validity for your travel authorization

The ESTA form is not a long-term document. It is valid for only two years from the date of issue. During this period, you will be entitled to travel to the United States, subject to the conditions attached to this authorization: a stay of less than 90 days for tourism or business purposes (business travel). You are formally prohibited from engaging in any kind of profit-making activity.

Please note that the ESTA form may expire before the due date if your passport expires before the two-year mark. In this case, you’ll need to order a new passport and submit a new ESTA application.

What is the ESTA number for?

The ESTA number is a file number that directly identifies your ESTA authorization upon boarding and during your stay on American soil. If the American authorities put your ESTA application on hold, you can use it to check your status.

The deadline for receiving a decision on your ESTA application is 72 hours, so don’t panic if a few hours after submitting your application you still haven’t received a reply to your authorization request.

On the other hand, if after 72 hours of filling in and paying the online form, you still haven’t received an ESTA number or a reply, you could be the victim of unscrupulous crooks who want to cheat you out of your money. In this case, you should contact the police as soon as possible to lodge a complaint and stop payment.

Visa application: beware of scams

If your ESTA application has been rejected, you will need to apply for a visa for your trip across the Atlantic. However, the method of obtaining a USA visa is different from that of the ESTA document. The visa is only issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate general, after a physical application. Under no circumstances should you trust websites that promise to send you a visa over the Internet, as their sole aim is to rip you off.