The ESTA authorization allows millions of people worldwide to travel to the USA without having to apply for an American visa. The visa waiver implemented by the US government is there to make life easier for travelers, but also to strengthen security measures for entry and exit of foreign nationals on American soil. But what about a simple transit through the United States of America? Is an ESTA required to transit through the USA? This is what we will explore in this article.
What is ESTA?
To understand if an ESTA authorization is required for a layover in the USA, let’s first briefly review what ESTA is. It is an electronic travel authorization, linked to the traveler’s passport, allowing them to board a plane or ship bound for the United States. This authorization is reserved for citizens of countries that are signatories to the Visa Waiver Program, currently 41 countries. The list of eligible countries may be modified according to the internal security policy of the United States. Travelers wishing to benefit from this program must meet several conditions, namely:
- have a valid passport issued by a VWP member country (restrictions apply for certain dual nationalities);
- the passport in question must be either a biometric passport (containing fingerprints) or an electronic passport, thus allowing it to contain ESTA-related information;
- the trip to the USA is a tourist stay or a business trip lasting a maximum of 90 days;
- travel to the United States by air or sea.
Is an ESTA Required for Transit Through the USA?
We have just seen that ESTA is necessary for a tourist or business trip, but what about transit through the USA? If you are transiting through the USA to reach your final destination, you are required to provide a travel document. This document can be a USA C-1 transit visa or an ESTA.
As a citizen of a VWP member country, we recommend ESTA for transit through the USA, and this for several reasons. First, a C-1 visa application requires an appointment at the US embassy for an interview with one of the consular agents. This visit can represent a significant cost, especially if the US embassy is far from your home. Conversely, an ESTA application can be made from home, simply by connecting to the official site or a private site. Still in the realm of cost, a C-1 application to transit through the USA costs 160 US dollars compared to 21 $ for an ESTA application. Using a private provider may increase the price of ESTA, but it will always remain lower than a visa application at the US embassy or consulate.
How to Apply for ESTA Authorization to Transit Through the United States?
Now that we know that US authorities require an ESTA even for a simple layover on American soil, let’s look at how to apply.
The ESTA application is done by filling out an online form. You can find the ESTA form on the US government website or on a specialized site. Complete the form carefully, as an error can lead to the rejection of your application. If this is your first application, you must check the box indicating that you are just transiting through the United States.
Once you have completed the form, you must pay the processing fees for your application. Once the authorization is granted, it is electronically linked to your passport number and has a validity period of 2 years. If you wish to travel to the USA afterwards, you do not need to make a new application as long as you have not obtained a new passport since obtaining your ESTA.
