US Visa Waiver Program (ESTA)

ESTA Applications

Essential ESTA Information for the United States

ESTA is an acronym for "Electronic System for Travel Authorization." An ESTA is a visa-free travel authorization that allows you to fly or sail to the United States of America. Obtaining an ESTA is easier, faster, and less expensive than obtaining a full non-immigrant US visa. Those who do not meet the required criteria must apply for an B2 visitor visa.

Please be aware: If your ESTA Application to travel to the United States is approved, this does not automatically grant access. Entry is usually decided upon the traveler's arrival on US soil. US Customs and Border Protection officers undertake this task. For this reason it is important to offer accurate information to avoid complications when you arrive at U.S. border control.

A full list of available US visas, including descriptions, can be found when you click ‘start application’.

ESTA

An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) allows you to visit the United States for tourism, business or transit. This is for any length of time shorter than 90 days within a 180 day period. The ESTA is an automated system that determines your eligibility for the Waiver Program without the need for a complete visa.

If you are not eligible for the ESTA Visa Waiver, you can select a B Visa instead and go through the whole visa process.

Please note: receiving the ESTA to travel to the United States does not necessarily mean that US Customs and Border Protection officers will permit you to enter. Admissibility is usually decided upon the traveler's arrival on US soil by US Customs and Border Protection officers.

• B1 visa - Business travelers
• B2 visa - Tourist travelers
• B1/B2 visa - Tourist travelers

Who is this for?

If you want to apply for the ESTA Visa Waiver Program, you must meet the following criteria:

You will be eligible for an ESTA providing you meet the following criteria:

• Citizens and nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries
• Travellers visiting for tourism, business or transit
• Those not already holding a valid US visitor visa
• Trips not exceeding 90 days

• Must have obeyed the terms of all previous USA entries.
• Not been found ineligible for a visa in the USA.
• Never have been convicted or arrested for a moral turpitude crime or offense.
• Must not be barred from entering the USA for any reason other than health or national security.
• You must plan a vacation, business travel, or transit trip to the USA.
• Citizen of a visa waiver country.
• No previous convictions.
• No previous immigration issues.
• Never visited any 'high-risk countries'.
• Passport(s) from a Visa Waiver Program nation that is valid.
• Traveler's genuine email address.
• Home address and phone number of the traveller.

Requirements

• You are a citizen or national of a Visa Waiver Program country
• You hold a valid, machine-readable (e-passport) passport from a participating nation
• You have no relevant criminal convictions or previous immigration issues
• Your trip is 90 days or fewer, for business or pleasure
• You provide a valid email, home address and phone number

How to apply

The following information may also be required:

Aliases or other names (If Applicable).

• Apply online through the official CBP ESTA website before you travel
• Provide passport, biographical, travel and eligibility information
• Pay the ESTA fee (see the fees page for the current amount)
• Apply well ahead — CBP recommends at least 72 hours before travel
• Valid passport(s) from a Visa Waiver Program country.
• List of Visa Waiver Countries
• Valid email address.
• Emergency point of contact is phone and email.
• Payment method:
• Valid payment methods include MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB or Diners Club only), and PayPal.
• National ID or Personal ID number
• Global Entry ID number
• Employer address and phone number
• US point of contact name, address, and phone

What you can do

• Travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days under the VWP
• Transit through the US en route to another country

Do I need and ESTA?

If you're a foreign citizen wanting to travel to the United States, you generally need to apply for a visa. However, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens from specific countries to visit the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. So, if your country is part of the VWP, you just need to get an ESTA to travel to the United States.

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in the United States uses the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to automatically determine if travelers are eligible to visit the United States. Each ESTA application gathers biodata and answers to eligibility questions set by the VWP.

You can apply for an ESTA at any time before your planned travel dates. However, it's best to apply as soon as you start planning your trip to the U.S., or at least before buying airline tickets.

If you're a citizen of a VWP member country and don't have a valid ESTA, you won't be able to check in for any flight, cruise ship, or ferry headed for the U.S. This rule applies to children who are citizens of VWP countries as well. The only people who can travel to the U.S. without an ESTA are those entering the country by land or U.S. citizens.

If the ESTA Visa Waiver doesn't work for you, you can opt for a B1/B2 visa and complete the full application process.

ESTA Visa Waiver Process

You can complete the ESTA visa application online; there's no need for an in-person visit. After you submit your information, the Department of Homeland Security will review it for errors and process it.

To qualify for the visa waiver program, you must have a valid electronic passport from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) member country. You'll need to provide your passport number for verification. You'll also have to give your parents' first and last names and emergency contact details, either within or outside the United States.

If you're traveling to the U.S. for business, you'll need to provide contact information for the person or organization you'll be dealing with in the U.S. This allows for the verification of your name, phone number, and address. You'll also need to provide the name and contact details for where you'll be staying in the U.S.

Will I get admission to the United States of America?

An ESTA visa waiver lets you go to a U.S. entry point, usually an airport, and ask for permission to enter the country. While we can make your ESTA application process smooth, having an approved ESTA doesn't guarantee you'll get into the United States.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) works quickly because it's automated. You usually get approval within minutes after submitting your application. However, it can take up to 72 hours for approval in some cases. You'll typically receive an email or browser notification once your application is approved.

If you're a citizen of a country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and you don't have a valid ESTA, you won't be able to check in for any U.S.-bound flight, cruise, or ferry. This rule also applies to children from VWP countries.

ESTA Processing Time

You should apply for a ESTA visa waiver at least one week in advance of your trip to ensure approval in time.

ESTA is not a physical document applied for on the official online platform. To apply for it, an applicant must set aside between 15-20 minutes to put together the necessary documentation for the application, read and understand the questions asked in the form, and correctly fill out the application.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated process; therefore, the wait time is short. Applications can receive approval within minutes of submission. However, submissions can take up to seventy-two hours to be approved. Applicants typically receive email or browser notifications once their submissions have received approval.

ESTA Visa Waiver

If you are not eligible to submit an ESTA Application, you can choose a B Visa instead.

• B1 visa - Business travelers
• B2 visa - Tourist travelers
• B1/B2 visa - Tourist & Business travelers

What is an ESTA? Do I Need a Full Visa?

The visa waiver program, also known as an ESTA (Electronic System For Travel Authorization) is an online document that allows an individual to travel without the need for a ‘full visa’. It is also often refferred to as a ' holiday visa '.

ESTA applications were established to prevent people with ill intents from entering the United States. One of these motives is frequently endangering the safety and/or law enforcement of the United States of America.

With a valid ESTA Application, you are permitted to visit the USA for up to 90 days at a time. You can visit multiple times within the 2 year validity period.

How Do I Know If I Need An ESTA?

If you are travelling to any part of the United States and are from one of the visa waiver countries (i.e. UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand etc..) then you will need an ESTA visa waiver for your travel.

You can travel for tourism, business or transit through the country. You are not permitted to undertake any paid work while travelling on an ESTA.

How long does ESTA take to be approved?

ESTAs are usually processed on the same day and your result should be with you within 24 hours. In some cases it can take up to 72 hours.

When the application is granted, the validity period begins. When the passport for which the ESTA was obtained expires, so does the ESTA's validity.

How long can you stay in the United States with an ESTA?

You can stay in the US with an ESTA for up to 90 days at a time within any 180 day period. This applies to multiple trips over the 2 year validity. It only permits travel to the United States under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which limits stays to 90 days or less. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest to you.

A non-immigrant visa such as the B2 tourist visitor visa permits stays of up to 6 months at a time.

For detailed information on specific parts of the ESTA visa application process, you can refer to the links in the table on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us visa email.