To travel to the United States, it is essential to apply for ESTA authorization online. The cost of obtaining ESTA authorization varies according to the site on which the application is registered. In this article, we take a look at the purpose of ESTA authorization and the fees involved.
How do I apply for ESTA?
Foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) must have their ESTA on board. The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of the 38 participating countries to travel to the USA without a visa. However, several conditions must be met. The ESTA application applies in particular to travelers who are visiting the USA on a temporary basis for tourism or business. Transit through the USA also falls into this category, and therefore requires ESTA authorization.
Applying for ESTA authorization involves logging on to the official U.S. government website. In order to give the applicant’s request more chance, the site provides support and assistance. Don’t try to apply for ESTA at an American embassy, as they won’t be able to help you, as ESTA can only be applied for via the web.
The ESTA application is in the form of a questionnaire to which the applicant must provide answers. Accurate answers will make it easier to obtain ESTA authorization. Please note that the ESTA application application is not free of charge, and payment must be made by credit card.
Before ordering an ESTA, it’s essential to check the validity of your passport. If your passport expires before departure, you will not be able to visit the United States. The only option is to apply for a new passport. It should also be noted that the U.S. government requires travelers to carry a biometric or electronic passport. The passport must, of course, be valid for the entire duration of the stay.
Now that you know where to apply for an ESTA applicationapplication, let’s talk about how.
ESTA application application: what information is required?
The answers to the questions on the online ESTA form enable the American authorities to draw up a profile of the applicant, and grant or refuse permission to enter the USA. The aim of the ESTA questionnaire is to filter out high-risk individuals who could pose a threat to American homeland security.
To complete the form, you need to answer several types of questions relating to the traveler’s identity (marital status, identification of parents, contact details, employment, etc.), trip to the U.S. (transit or stay, local address and emergency contact), passport references (passport number, date of issue, expiry date, etc.), state of health, membership of terrorist organizations, past stays, existence of another nationality, and so on.
The questions asked are subject to change depending on the international context. The last change was made in connection with the Muslim Ban. Dual nationals of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Sudan are automatically disqualified. The same applies to people who have visited (tourism or business) Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia since March 2011; exceptions are made for official military and diplomatic travel.
How much does an ESTA authorization ?
To validate the submission of theESTA authorizationTo obtain the document, you need a credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, etc.) or a Paypal account. The payment request appears directly after the ESTA form verification stage.
The basic price of an ESTA authorization authorization is as follows:
- 10 processing fee ;
- 17 authorization fee. This amount will only be deducted if the U.S. government officially approves your ESTA application.
- 13 contribution to the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury
The basic price of an ESTA is $40, and part of the revenue generated is used for the international promotion of American tourism.
However, fees may be higher if you use private platforms. These offer additional services (verification and correction of information, personalized assistance, electronic transmission of the ESTA, etc.).
In any case, the ESTA application will always turn out to be less expensive than the U.S. visa application, given that the latter costs a minimum of $185 and takes much longer to obtain.
If the U.S. government approves the ESTA applicationThe authorization to travel to the United States is valid for two years from the date of issue. During this period, it can be used several times, as long as the maximum length of stay (90 days) is respected.
If your ESTA application has been refused, you can reapply if your form contains an error. Otherwise, you must apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy.
