Travelling to the USA with ESTA

Today, traveling the world is much simpler and more accessible to everyone. In Europe, with the Schengen area, passports and visas are no longer required. This is also the case in the United States, where the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) has lightened the entry procedure.

If you are a national of one of the countries benefiting from this program, and you don’t intend to stay in the USA for more than three consecutive months, then you won’t need a visa. All you need is an ESTA travel authorization.

What is the ESTA ?

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an electronic system for authorization to enter the USA. The simplified ESTA application procedure saves both time and money compared with visa applications. If you are planning to travel to the USA and wish to obtain an ESTA document, all you have to do is fill in an online form in just a few minutes. This is then sent directly to the American authorities, who will decide whether or not to approve your request for authorization. ESTA within 72 hours.

Once you’ve been issued an ESTA certificate, you can travel to the United States. The ESTA certificate is valid for two years, provided your passport does not expire in the meantime. If it does, the ESTA authorization will expire on the day the passport expires. A new application will have to be made using the information in the new passport.

What are the ESTA admission requirements?

Although more accessible than the USA visa, the ESTA is subject to certain mandatory conditions imposed by the American government. These include

  • be a national of an ENP (Visa Waiver Program) member country, but not have dual Iraqi, Iranian, Syrian or Sudanese nationality;
  • be in possession of a valid passport. Please note that only biometric and electronic passports are authorized;
  • plan to stay in the United States for less than 90 consecutive days;
  • enter the U.S. by air or sea and have an exit ticket;
  • not to have visited, since March 2011, one of the 7 countries considered by the American administration as risky, because of the terrorist context (Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Syria and Yemen);

How to obtain the ESTA USA ?

There are various websites where you can apply for an ESTA. Depending on your preference, you can apply via the official U.S. government website or via one of the private platforms. Note that only online applications are accepted, so there’s no need to contact the U.S. embassy.

Obtaining the ESTA USA involves filling out an online questionnaire. It is divided into 3 parts:

  • the first relates to the traveller, and more specifically to his personal information and passport data;
  • the second concerns your trip to the USA, including accommodation and emergency contact;
  • the last consists of questions to which the answer can only be yes or no. The aim here is to ensure that you pose no risk to American homeland security.

Is there a charge for the ESTA document?

The ESTA travel authorization was initially free, but this is no longer the case. The basic price of an ESTA authorization is $40 as of September 30, 2025, which breaks down as follows:

  • 13 contribution to the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury ;
  • 10 processing fee to finance the ESTA system;
  • 17 contribution to the promotion of travel in the United States.

Payment is by credit card.