The ESTA form is not a travel document open to everyone. It is reserved exclusively for nationals of countries that have signed the Visa Waiver Program. The aim of this system is to facilitate the flow of travelers into the U.S., while carefully monitoring who enters the country.
The ESTA form is valid only if your stay in the USA does not exceed 90 days. Your trip must be for business or pleasure. Please note that for the latter, only business trips are authorized. If you want to do an internship in the USA, you’ll need to go to the American embassy to apply for a visa.
How do I obtain an ESTA form?
You can only apply for a temporary residence permit online. All you need is a computer and an Internet connection. To fill in the online form, simply visit the official U.S. government website.
The ESTA questionnaire is simple to fill in, but it’s a formality that requires a minimum of rigor. If, for example, you enter just one digit wrong in your passport number, the American authorities will probably refuse you permission to travel to the United States. If this happens to you, you can reapply online. However, you’ll have to pay another $40 fee.
The ESTA form was first and foremost created to maintain homeland security. Through this questionnaire, the U.S. government wants to ensure that you pose no danger to U.S. citizens.
Before you start answering the questions on the ESTA form, make sure you have a valid passport. This can be a biometric or electronic passport. If your passport has expired, you simply won’t be able to enter the USA.
The questionnaire asks for several types of information. For example, you’ll be asked to provide your full name, date of birth and the reason for your stay in the United States. In addition, the U.S. authorities will ask whether you have a criminal record, or whether you are a carrier of a communicable disease (tuberculosis, STD, etc.). All you have to do is answer “yes” or “no” to these questions.
ESTA authorization and its implications
Once you’ve submitted your ESTA application, you’ll receive an automatic reply within one minute, acknowledging receipt of your request. The final ESTA authorization decision will be sent to you within 72 hours.
This result will depend on the information provided in the form. Authorization may then be granted, pending or refused.
Once authorization for travel to the USA has been granted, you can board a plane or boat bound for the United States. The ESTA is valid for two years, and can be used as many times as required during its validity. Keep in mind, however, that each stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days.
If the answer is pending, your request has been put on hold, but you will receive an answer within the allotted time. The third possible response is a refusal.
ESTA form: what to do if you are refused?
As mentioned above, if the rejection is due to a typing error or an oversight, you can renew your application. If, on the other hand, it turns out that you are not eligible because of the criteria imposed, you will have to apply for a USA visa from the consular authorities.
