Do you want to travel to the USA, but don’t know which travel authorizations you need? It’s easy to get lost between US visa, green card and ESTA USA. That’s why we’re here to explain what the ESTA form for the United States of America is, and when you need to apply for one.
What is the purpose of the ESTA questionnaire?
The ESTA online questionnaire must be completed in order to receive the American travel authorization known as ESTA, for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This authorization allows travelers in possession of it to be exempted from having to apply for a USA visa at the American embassy. Going to the USA is thus a quick and easy formality, provided you are eligible.
The U.S. government introduced this authorization to reinforce the country’s internal security, as part of the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA makes it possible to check the personal details of each traveler before their arrival on American soil.
If you complete the ESTA questionnaire and your application is accepted by the American authorities, you can use the authorization for the full duration of its validity, and visit the U.S. territory as many times as you like. ESTA authorization is valid for two years, or until your biometric (or electronic) passport expires, whichever comes first. Please note that a change of passport requires a new ESTA application. This new online application must, of course, be made with the new passport.
When should I request an ESTA form?
Now that you know what the ESTA document is for, find out if it’s possible for you to apply for the form online.
ESTA eligibility requirements
The ESTA form is essential for US visa-exempt nationals wishing to travel to the USA. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) member countries are 39 since Poland was accepted in 2019 (the list of countries involved can be consulted on the official US government website). France is one of the participating countries.
Being a national of a member country of the Visa Waiver Program is not the only eligibility criterion. In fact, here are the various conditions required to obtain an ESTA:
- Have a valid electronic or biometric passport;
- organize a temporary stay for tourism, business or transit on American soil before leaving for another country;
- your stay in the USA must not exceed 90 days.
You’ll need to fill out an ESTA form if you’re planning a temporary stay in the United States by air or sea. Don’t meet all these conditions? Then you can’t apply for ESTA authorization to travel to the USA. However, you can apply for a U.S. visa at the U.S. embassy.
Where can I apply for an ESTA?
To receive an ESTA, you need to apply online via the U.S. government website, or via a private website offering the same service. You’ll need your valid passport, as many of the fields on the ESTA form relate to the information it contains. To apply for ESTA, you need to fill in an online form. You can obtain assistance and a simplified form by ordering your authorization from a specialized site.
Once you’ve completed the ESTA questionnaire, you’ll need to pay the required fee to validate the submission of your form. To do this, you’ll need your credit card. The form is then analyzed by electronic systems. Travelers may receive an answer almost immediately, but it usually takes up to 72 hours to receive a response from the American authorities.
To find out your ESTA status, go to the government website with your application number and passport number. If you requested authorization via a private site, you’ll receive a reply by e-mail.
