FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For further details regarding the ESTA application process or to access frequently asked questions, please feel free to explore the provided help topics below.
To enhance security for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, the requirements for visa-free travel have been improved. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries can still travel without a visa but need to obtain approved travel authorization beforehand.
The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection have established a secure website where you or third parties can complete and request travel authorization. After providing the necessary biographical, travel, and payment information, the system will process your application to determine if you’re eligible for visa-free travel. You’ll receive an automatic response, and before boarding, an operator will electronically verify your approved travel authorization with Customs and Border Protection.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automatic system used to assess visitor eligibility for visa-free travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA approval allows travelers to board flights to the United States under the program. It’s important to note that ESTA is not a visa and cannot replace a US visa when one is required. Travelers with valid US visas do not need to apply for ESTA authorization.
ESTA applications became mandatory on January 12, 2009. Visa Waiver Program applicants must complete a blue customs declaration upon arrival, regardless of having an ESTA authorization. The approved ESTA applications are valid for up to two years or until passport expiration, allowing multiple trips to the US within that period. However, each visit must not exceed 90 days, and there should be a reasonable gap between visits to avoid any concerns of attempting to reside in the country.
If approved, travelers whose passports expire in less than two years will receive an ESTA authorization valid until the passport’s expiration date. A new ESTA authorization is required in case of a new passport, name change, gender change (ESTA currently does not offer an X gender option), change of citizenship, or significant changes in circumstances such as criminal convictions or acquiring a contagious disease.
It is recommended to apply for ESTA authorization as soon as travel under the Visa Waiver Program is planned. Expired ESTA authorization during the stay in the US does not affect the exit process. It’s important to keep a printed copy of the receipt document for your records, although printing the form itself upon arrival is unnecessary as the agents already have the electronic information.
Please be aware that an approved travel authorization is distinct from a visa. It does not satisfy the legal or regulatory prerequisites to substitute a US visa when it is mandatory under the laws of the United States. Individuals who possess a valid visa can still travel to the United States with it, as long as it is utilized for the specific purpose for which it was issued. Travelers with a valid visa are not required to request a separate travel authorization.
To qualify for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must meet the following criteria:
1. Your purpose of entering the United States is for tourism, business, or transit, and the duration of your stay does not exceed 90 days.
2. You possess a valid passport lawfully issued by a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program.
3. You arrive on an airline that is a signatory of the Visa Waiver Program.
4. You have a return ticket or onward travel arrangements.
5. Your trip does not conclude in a contiguous territory or adjacent islands, unless you are a resident of one of those areas.
6. You are a citizen or national of one of the following Visa Waiver Program countries:
– Andorra
– Australia
– Austria
– Belgium
– Brunei
– Chile
– Czech Republic
– Denmark
– Estonia
– Finland
– France
– Germany
– Greece
– Hungary
– Iceland
– Ireland
– Italy
– Japan
– Latvia
– Liechtenstein
– Lithuania
– Luxembourg
– Republic of Malta
– Monaco
– Netherlands
– New Zealand
– Norway
– Poland
– Portugal
– San Marino
– Singapore
– Slovakia
– Slovenia
– South Korea
– Spain
– Sweden
– Switzerland
– Taiwan[1]
– United Kingdom
7. A United States Customs and Border Protection inspection agent determines that you are admissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act and eligible for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
8. You waive any right to reconsideration or appeal of the decision made by the United States Customs and Border Protection agent regarding your admissibility or any expulsion measure resulting from an application under the Visa Waiver Program, except for those based on an application for asylum.
9. Upon arrival in the United States, you provide biometric identifiers (such as fingerprints and photographs) during the admission process, reaffirming your waiver of any right to reconsideration or appeal of the eligibility decision made by the United States Customs and Border Protection agent, or any expulsion measure resulting from an application under the Visa Waiver Program, except for those based on an application for asylum.
10. You do not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
11. You have complied with all admission requirements during your previous visits under the Visa Waiver Program.
NOTE: British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man are also eligible under the VWP.
[1] Please note that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 includes Taiwan under the term “country” or “countries” for the purposes of the Visa Waiver Program. This is consistent with the one-China policy of the United States, which maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism purposes, staying up to 90 days, without the need for a visa. Those admitted under this program must agree to waive their rights to reconsideration or appeal, as outlined in the Waiver of Rights section of the application. For further details, please refer to the requirements for applying for admission under the Visa Waiver Program. Additional information can be found in §217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187, and 8 C.F.R. § 217.
To check the status of an individual ESTA request, you can visit the home page and click on the “Check ESTA status” option. If you don’t have your application number, you can provide your last name, first name (nickname), country of passport issuance, passport number, and birth date to retrieve your request.
The information submitted by applicants through the ESTA electronic portal is protected by strict privacy regulations and controls, ensuring the same level of security as other traveler pre-assessment programs. Access to this information is restricted to authorized individuals with a professional need to know.
In most cases, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will provide an immediate status update on your request. However, if additional processing time is required, you can expect to receive a response within 72 hours. If your response shows as “pending,” you will receive instructions on how to verify the status of your request. There are three possible responses to an ESTA request:
1. Authorization Approved:
Your travel authorization has been approved, granting you permission to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system will confirm the approval and provide a payment receipt indicating the charged amount to your credit card. It’s important to note that a travel authorization does not guarantee entry to the United States, as the final decision rests with the Customs and Border Protection agent at the port of entry.
2. Travel Not Authorized:
You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. In this case, you may need to apply for a visa through the Department of State. For more information on visa application procedures, please visit the United States Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov. It’s important to understand that this response does not prevent you from entering the United States altogether; it simply means that you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The system will also provide a payment receipt indicating the charged amount for the ESTA application process.
3. Authorization Pending:
Your travel authorization is currently under evaluation because an immediate determination could not be made. This response does not imply any negative outcome. Typically, the final determination will be available within 72 hours. To check the status of your application, please return to the ESTA portal and select “Check application status in ESTA.” You will be prompted to enter your application number, passport number, and date of birth for verification purposes.
Children, whether accompanied or unaccompanied, who are nationals or citizens of countries with visa exemption, are required to obtain their own ESTA approval before traveling to the United States, regardless of their age.
If you have filled out an ESTA application on behalf of a minor, you can select the second option in the Rights Exemption section, which is specifically designed for third-party applicants. As the legal representative of your child, you must understand the ESTA terms on their behalf and provide truthful answers to the questions and statements.
Children who are listed in their parents’ passports are not eligible to apply for ESTA. They must have their own valid passport in order to qualify for ESTA.
Children’s passports, known as Kinderreisepass, are generally not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), unless they were issued or extended before October 26, 2006. To qualify for the VWP, the document must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being machine-readable and having a digital photograph of the owner integrated into the biographical information page, if it was issued, renewed, or extended after October 26, 2005. Identification numbers of children holding Kinderausweis require a visa and do not participate in the VWP.
Once your electronic travel authorization is approved, it signifies that you are granted the privilege to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. However, it’s important to note that approval does not guarantee admission into the country. Upon your arrival in the United States, a Customs and Border Protection agent at the port of entry will conduct an inspection and has the authority to assess your eligibility under the Visa Waiver Program or based on any other criteria outlined by US law.
The “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” (9/11 Act) introduced a set of recommendations on September 11, 2007, which were subsequently modified by Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These recommendations mandated the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish an electronic travel authorization system and implement additional measures to enhance the security of the Visa Waiver Program. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) serves as an additional security measure that enables DHS to assess, prior to travel, whether an individual meets the requirements for traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and whether their trip poses any security or public order risks.
Indeed, this electronic web portal is managed by the United States Government and utilizes advanced technology to safeguard against unauthorized access to the information you provide and access. Furthermore, this electronic portal adheres to the regulations and guidelines outlined in the United States Privacy Act, ensuring the utmost privacy of your personal information.
Yes, it is important to note that the ESTA system does not store your payment information once the transaction has been successfully processed.
The information provided through the ESTA application will remain active for the duration of the approved ESTA authorization, typically two years or until the expiration of the traveler’s passport, whichever comes first. Afterward, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will retain this information for an additional year before archiving it for a period of twelve years. This archival is done to facilitate retrieval for purposes related to public order, national security, or investigations. Access to the archived information is strictly limited to authorized officials. This practice aligns with the CBP’s border search authority and its mission of border security as mandated by Congress. Information linked to ongoing public order surveillance records, CBP enforcement activities, investigations, or cases, including denied ESTA requests, will remain accessible for the duration of the relevant public order activities.
DHS has transitioned to an electronic I-94W form, and as a result, the data from the ESTA application will replace the information previously collected through the printed I-94W form. In cases where ESTA application data is used as a substitute for the printed I-94W form information, the information provided in the ESTA application will be retained in accordance with the I-94W retention program, which spans 75 years.
You can submit your application at any time before your planned travel to the United States. However, it is recommended by the Department of Homeland Security to submit your travel authorization request at least 72 hours prior to your departure. Once approved, travel authorizations remain valid for a period of two years from the date of authorization or until the expiration date of your passport, whichever occurs first. Unless there is a revocation, the authorization remains in effect for the specified duration.
The information collected and stored in ESTA may be accessed by other officers within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who have a legitimate need to know the information for their specific duties and responsibilities.
As per the current agreements between DHS and the Department of State (DOS), the information provided in an ESTA application may be shared with DOS consular officers. This sharing of information assists them in determining whether to issue a visa to an applicant after a travel authorization application has been denied.
The information collected in ESTA may also be shared with tribal, local, state, federal, and foreign government agencies, as well as multilateral government organizations involved in the investigation, prosecution, or enforcement of laws, rules, regulations, orders, or permits. DHS may disclose the information when it believes such sharing is necessary to ensure compliance with civil or criminal laws. Additionally, DHS may share the information if it deems it reasonable for purposes related to counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, national or international security, or transnational crime investigation. All disclosures are made in accordance with the Privacy Act System of Records Notice, which was published in the Official Gazette on June 10, 2008, and can be accessed on the DHS website.
Although airlines do not receive the specific information provided by travelers in their ESTA applications, they do receive confirmation of a passenger’s ESTA status through the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS). This confirmation indicates whether an ESTA authorization is required and whether it has been granted or not.
No, a specific travel plan is not mandatory at the time of application, but it is necessary to have a contact person in the United States.
Although a specific travel plan is not required, it is advisable to provide the address where you will be staying in the United States when completing the application. If you have multiple destinations, you should only enter the address of the first place you will be staying. If you don’t have the complete address, you can enter the name of the hotel or the location you plan to visit.
If you are transiting through the United States to reach another country, please select “yes” in response to the question “Is your trip to the United States in transit to another country?” in the Travel Information section.
Travelers who seek entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and are found ineligible will be denied admission. They will be required to return to their country of origin or to a third country for which they have a round-trip ticket. The return will be arranged by the airline on which they arrived in the United States.
The website provides applicants with the opportunity to review and edit their information before submitting the application, including verifying their passport number. Prior to submitting the application with payment details, all data fields, except for the passport number and country of passport issuance, can be corrected. If an applicant has made an error in their biographical information or passport details, they will need to submit a new application and will be charged the applicable fee. However, other errors or updates can be rectified by selecting “Check individual status” in the “Check ESTA status” section. If the applicant has answered the eligibility questions incorrectly, they should click on the link in the CBP Information Center at the bottom of each page.
Every traveler, including infants exempt from airfare charges, who is planning to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, must obtain an approved travel authorization before departing, regardless of whether they are traveling by air or sea. If a baby does not have a visa for travel to the United States, they still require an approved travel authorization. It is permissible for a third party to submit the travel authorization request on behalf of someone traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.
If you are unable to find your country of issuance in the provided drop-down menu, please ensure that you are selecting the correct country. Your “Country of issuance” should match your “Country of Nationality.” For instance, if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom but obtained your passport at the UK Consulate in Hong Kong, then the United Kingdom is considered your country of issuance. The location of the consulate does not determine the issuing country.
If you cannot locate your country of issuance or country of nationality in the options provided, it is likely that you do not need to apply for an ESTA authorization. Only citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to obtain an ESTA authorization.
In the case of dual nationality and ESTA registration, it is necessary to use a passport that meets the VWP requirements when departing from the country of departure and upon arrival in the United States. If both of your nationalities meet the VWP requirements, it is strongly recommended that you choose one nationality for the purpose of your trip to the United States and consistently use the passport of that country for all your travels. Having two separate ESTA authorizations can lead to confusion and unnecessary delays.
If you are a citizen of the United States as well as a country participating in the VWP, you should not apply for an ESTA authorization. As a naturalized US citizen, one of the requirements is to possess and use a US passport for travel. Although we understand that in certain situations, naturalized US citizens may use the passport of their other country for travel, it is expected that you use your US passport for both legs of the journey when traveling from another country to the United States.
In the event of a genuine emergency where you are unable to obtain your US passport before your travels and possess only a passport participating in the VWP, you will need to apply for an ESTA authorization using that passport for travel to the United States. Upon arrival at the US airport with your foreign passport, you will be required to go through the non-resident line.
Travel authorizations, unless revoked, remain valid for two years from the date of authorization or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first. The expiration date of your travel authorization is displayed on the approved Authorization screen.
Typically, an ESTA authorization allows for multiple trips within a two-year period from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first*. This means that as long as you have a valid ESTA authorization, you do not need to reapply during the validity period.
If your ESTA authorization expires while you are in the United States, it will not affect your departure from the country.
Please note: It is important to print a copy of the document for your records. You do not need to present the form upon arrival in the United States, as the agents already have the information electronically.
Obtaining an ESTA authorization does not entitle you to stay in the United States for two years. It only permits you to travel to the United States under the conditions of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows a maximum stay of 90 days. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa from the nearest US embassy or consulate.
* If you acquire a new passport, change your name, gender, or nationality, or if any of your answers to the eligibility questions for the VWP change, you will need to apply for a new travel authorization. A fee of US $64 will be charged for each new application.
Please note: Although it is recommended by CBP to submit your request at least 72 hours before your trip, you may do so at any time prior to boarding. In most cases, you will receive a response seconds after submitting your request.
In the event that you obtain a new passport or make changes to your passport information, it is necessary to request a new travel authorization and pay the applicable fees. Please refer to the “Which information can I update?” section for a comprehensive description of the information that can be modified after submitting your application.
The ESTA program was carefully developed by DHS to ensure that travel authorization is only denied to individuals who are ineligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program or who may pose a security or law enforcement risk. While the ESTA website provides a link to the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) website, it is important to note that submitting a request through DHS TRIP does not guarantee resolution of the eligibility issue that led to the ESTA denial.
Please be aware that embassies and consulates cannot provide specific details about ESTA denials or address the underlying issue that caused the denial. However, embassies and consulates may process applications for non-immigrant visas, which, if approved, would provide an alternative authorization for travel to the United States for individuals whose ESTA application has been denied.
If your authorization request receives an unauthorized trip response, but you still intend to proceed with your travel plans, we recommend visiting the Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for further guidance on applying for a visa. It’s important to note that a denial of travel authorization under the Visa Waiver Program does not necessarily imply ineligibility for obtaining an approved visa to travel to the United States.
Please be aware that if your travel authorization is not approved, no court will have jurisdiction to review the eligibility decision made by ESTA.
If a traveler is denied ESTA authorization and their circumstances remain unchanged, submitting a new application will result in another denial. It’s important to note that travelers who do not meet the ESTA requirements do not have the privilege to travel under the Visa Waiver Program and must instead apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate.
Attempting to submit a new application with false information in order to meet the travel authorization requirements will permanently disqualify the traveler from participating in the Visa Waiver Program and traveling to the United States.
Regrettably, the Department of State cannot provide assurance regarding daily appointment availability due to the fluctuating demand for visas. Information regarding the appointment process can be found in the nearest consulate section or on the Department of State’s website. Consequently, travelers are strongly advised to apply for ESTA approval well in advance of their intended travel date.
It is important to complete all mandatory fields in the application. While providing erroneous information does not guarantee automatic denial of the application, it may require manual adjudication by CBP, resulting in additional processing time before a response is provided to the applicant.
A new travel authorization may be required in the following circumstances:
– The traveler obtains a new passport.
– The traveler changes their name.
– The traveler changes their gender.
– The traveler changes their nationality.
– There is a change in the traveler’s previous responses to any of the questions in the ESTA application that require a “yes” or “no” answer.
Normally, travel authorization approvals are valid for a period of two years or until the expiration of the traveler’s passport, whichever comes first. The approved ESTA will indicate the effective dates. Therefore, before the current authorization expires or when obtaining a new passport, the traveler must request a new travel authorization through ESTA. A specified fee will be charged for each new application submitted.
If your ESTA authorization has expired, you will need to submit a new application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. It is not possible to extend existing authorizations.
You do not have to wait for your ESTA authorization to expire before reapplying; you can do so at any time. If you receive a message stating, “A valid approved application for this passport has been found, with more than 30 days available. To proceed with this request, you must pay and cancel the existing one,” you can proceed with your new application. Your previous ESTA application will be canceled and replaced by the new one.
Generally, ESTA approvals are granted for a period of two years or until the expiration of the applicant’s passport, whichever comes first. The approval allows for multiple entries, meaning you can use it for more than one trip to the United States. The ESTA will indicate the effective dates of the approved request. Each new application will incur the specified fee of US $71.00.
“I’m a Canadian citizen?”
No, Canadian citizens who travel with a Canadian passport don’t need an ESTA authorization.
“I’m a permanent resident of Canada?”
If you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and enter the United States by land, an ESTA authorization is not required. If you don’t have an ESTA authorization, you will be asked to complete the I-94W printed form and proceed through the manual entry process at the land border crossing. If you have an approved ESTA authorization when you enter the United States through the border crossing, you will NOT have to complete the I-94W printed form, and your entry process will be sped up. If you are traveling to the United States by air or sea, you MUST apply for ESTA authorization. If you are not a citizen of a country covered by the VWP, you are required to have a visa, and therefore, ESTA authorization does not apply to your situation.
“I’m a legal permanent resident of the United States and a citizen of a country that participates in the VWP?”
No.
“I’m a citizen of a country covered by the VWP, and I’m visiting the United States from Canada or Mexico?”
If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and you enter the United States by land from Mexico or Canada, an ESTA authorization is not required. If you don’t have an ESTA authorization, you will be asked to complete the I-94W printed form and go through the manual entry process at the land border crossing. If you have an approved ESTA authorization when you enter the United States through the border crossing, you will NOT have to complete the I-94W printed form, and your entry process will be sped up. However, if it has already been issued, you must return your I-94W green card when leaving the United States. If you arrive by air or sea, you must request ESTA authorization.
“I am a citizen of a country that participates in the VWP, and I am traveling to the United States by air in transit through the country?”
Yes, you must apply for ESTA authorization, even if you are only in transit through the United States. In the address request space on the form, write “in transit.”
“I have dual citizenship from a country that participates in the VWP and one that doesn’t?”
If you are flying in compliance with VWP conditions using your VWP passport, you must apply for ESTA authorization. If you are using the passport of the country that doesn’t participate in the VWP, you will need a visa, and therefore, ESTA authorization applies in your case.
“I’m a citizen of a country that participates in the VWP, and I’m on my way to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)?”
For international travel to Guam/CNMI under the VWP, an ESTA authorization is needed. Nationalities that meet the VWP requirements for Guam/CNMI can travel to these places under that program without the need for ESTA authorization. However, regarding the VWP for Guam/CNMI, the maximum stay is 45 days and is restricted to those islands only; the trip cannot be to the United States. The trip from the United States to Guam/CNMI is considered a domestic flight, so no ESTA authorization is needed. Travelers must go through prior inspection to travel from Guam/CNMI to the United States. If that trip takes place under the VWP, they will need ESTA authorization.
“I’m a citizen of a country that participates in the VWP, and I’m traveling for business or tourism reasons for a short period of time, under the VWP, to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands?”
Yes, an ESTA authorization is needed to travel to these places.
“I’m traveling with a minor (less than 18 years of age) who is a citizen of a country that participates in the VWP?”
If the child is traveling to the United States under the VWP as a tourist for 90 days or less, he or she must apply for an ESTA approval separately.
“I’m a US citizen with dual citizenship in a country that participates in the VWP?”
US citizens are not required to have an ESTA authorization and must use their US passport to travel to the United States.
“I have a valid visa?”
Those who have a valid visa can use it to travel to the United States for the purpose for which it was issued. Those who travel with a valid visa don’t have to apply for an ESTA authorization.