Before traveling to the USA, it’s important to find out whether an American visa application is necessary or if an ESTA authorization request is more appropriate. We will determine which travel document you need and when to apply for the ESTA form.
When to Apply for an ESTA Rather Than a Visa?
Deciding between an ESTA or a USA visa depends on two factors: the traveler’s nationality and the type of stay planned in the USA.
The Traveler, the First Factor to Consider
The traveler’s nationality is crucial, as ESTA authorization is reserved for foreign citizens whose country of citizenship participates in the Visa Waiver Program. This program allows citizens of signatory countries to travel to the United States without a visa. Some nationalities are banned from this program, which has implications in cases of dual nationality. This concerns Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Sudan.
A person not eligible for ESTA must apply for an American visa through the consular services of the US embassy. If the traveler is eligible for ESTA, it will then be verified that they do not pose a threat to American internal security. To do this, they will have to answer a series of questions about their physical and mental health, drug use, criminal record, etc.
The Nature of the Stay in the United States is Also Important
The USA visa applies to all types of travel to the United States of America, as there is a visa for each reason for entering American soil: working in the USA, immigrating, studying at an American university, investing in the American economy, etc. ESTA, on the other hand, is limited to transit through American territory, tourist travel, and business travel. Moreover, the authorized length of stay is a maximum of 90 days.
It’s important to note that the validity period of ESTA, set at a maximum of 2 years, allows the traveler to make multiple trips to the USA.
The Importance of the Passport
Any travel to the United States, without exception, is only possible if the traveler has a valid passport that is either an electronic passport or a biometric passport. Note that the French passport meets these criteria.
When Should You Apply for the ESTA Form?
Whether you need a visa or an ESTA, the application must be made before departure. ESTA has the advantage of being very quick to obtain: 20 minutes to fill out the form and a maximum of 72 hours waiting time. Thus, it is possible to apply for authorization up to 3 days before departure, although it is recommended to allow several weeks (in case of refusal).
What is the ESTA Form?
The ESTA form is the form to be filled out to apply for an ESTA. This online form is available on the official US government website. You can fill out the form yourself or get help with this process by going through a private website. The ESTA application is therefore an online application that does not require going to the embassy, nor even providing supporting documents.
It is important to carefully check for any errors and correctly transcribe passport data, otherwise your ESTA application may be refused. You are asked to provide your personal information, your passport details, and information about your stay in the USA. The application is processed by electronic systems when the ESTA fee payment is accepted.
How to Get the Response to an Application?
Once the application is paid for, the response is either immediate or pending. If it’s pending, log in to the official website using your application number and passport number to check your ESTA status. For an application made on a private website, an email is sent to you when the American authorities have made a decision. The processing time is a maximum of 3 days.
Do You Need to Apply for Each Trip?
The ESTA is granted to you for two years, provided your passport remains valid. During this period, you can travel to the USA as many times as you wish without submitting a new application. It is important that you check the validity of your ESTA before each departure, especially since an ESTA becomes void when you obtain a new passport.
