Traveling to the USA is an exhilarating experience. This enormous country offers a multitude of landscapes and legendary places to discover. Whether it’s visiting New York and its Statue of Liberty, exploring the great national parks of Yellowstone and Yosemite, or standing in awe before the vastness of the Grand Canyon, you’ll certainly find your American dream.
But a trip to the USA must be prepared meticulously, as American authorities don’t joke about internal security and expect you to have the right travel document, depending on the reason for your stay in the USA, its duration, and how you enter American territory.
Let’s review the main scenarios to allow you to go to the USA with peace of mind.
Going to the USA for a Tourist Stay
If you wish to travel to the USA for a tourist stay, several options are possible.
The first question you should ask yourself before traveling to the United States is: am I a citizen of a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program, established by the American government? If the answer is yes, then you may not need a tourist visa to go to the United States, but an ESTA authorization. We say ‘may’ because several other conditions must be met. Let’s examine them in detail.
Making a Tourist Trip with an ESTA
The electronic travel authorization is part of a specific context and cannot be requested by everyone.
The Required Conditions to Apply for an ESTA
As mentioned previously, you must be a national of one of the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. The list of eligible countries is readily available on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, but please note that European nationals are entitled to apply for an ESTA.
Another condition: you must have a valid passport. The validity period must be sufficient to cover the entire duration of your stay in the USA and meet the government’s requirements regarding security measures related to identification. To meet these requirements, you must have a biometric passport or an electronic passport.
The duration of your stay in the United States of America is also a factor to consider. ESTA only applies for a temporary stay of 90 days maximum.
The last condition is that you must enter American soil by air or sea only, via an approved airline or maritime company.
The ESTA Application: An Online Request
If you meet all these conditions, you don’t need to apply for an American visa before going to the USA, but an ESTA authorization. The ESTA is obtained exclusively by filling out an online form called the ESTA Form. This can be found on the government website or on any private site specializing in obtaining this travel authorization. The ESTA is valid for 2 years from its date of issue and within the limit of the passport’s validity date. If you obtain a new passport, a new application is necessary.
The Tourist Visa
If you wish to travel to the USA for tourism but are not eligible for ESTA, you must apply for a B2 tourist visa. The first step is to complete the DS-160 form, which can be found on the “Consular Electronic Application Center” website. You must also attach a recently taken passport-style photo that meets U.S. government requirements. You must then schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate for a consular officer to review your application. If the application is approved, you will be asked to leave your passport so that the visa can be affixed to it.
The validity period of a tourist visa depends on the applicant’s nationality (maximum 10 years) and does not need to be renewed if you change your passport.
Going to the USA for a Reason Other Than Tourism
The ESTA authorization can only be used for tourist travel, business travel, or transit. Any other reason for travel requires an American visa. The procedure will differ depending on whether you are seeking to obtain a temporary visa or an immigrant visa.
Applying for a non-immigrant visa (to work in the USA, study at an American university, or do an internship) remains similar to applying for a tourist visa, but involves gathering the appropriate supporting documents. Consult the U.S. Embassy website for details on the procedure.
Applying for an immigrant visa (green card) to expatriate to the USA requires having a sponsor. The sponsor is an American person or organization that applies for the visa on your behalf. Indeed, the immigrant visa application can only come from an American citizen or permanent resident. This can be an employer, a study program, or a family member. The only exception to this rule is the green card lottery, which gives the right to apply for permanent residency following a random draw.
Another very important point before going to the USA: health insurance. Depending on the type of visa, it may be mandatory to take out insurance covering medical expenses. Travel insurance is also recommended.
We hope these tips will help you prepare for your stay with peace of mind and build your customized trip. All that’s left is for us to wish you a great journey!
