Before leaving for the USA, it is imperative for all travelers to obtain a travel authorization. Travelling to the USA is not the same as travelling within the Schengen area. A simple identity card is not enough. Not only must the tourist have a valid passport, but he or she must also meet a number of conditions to benefit fromESTA authorization.
To make things clearer, we’ll start by explaining the importance of filling in the ESTA form correctly, before revealing the information you’ll be asked to provide on the online form.
The importance of filling out the ESTA document correctly
Before completing an ESTA, it is important to determine whether you are eligible.
Who is the ESTA form for?
The ESTA is one of the security measures put in place following the September 11th attacks. It is therefore subject to specific conditions.
Travelers must :
- have a biometric or electronic passport;
- be from a country that is a member of the VWP (Visa Waiver Program), which is a U.S. visa waiver program, subject to restrictions on certain binationalities;
- travel to the USA, by air or sea, for tourism, business or transit;
- plan a temporary stay (90 days maximum).
If one of the above criteria doesn’t apply to you, there’s no need to complete the ESTA. Go to the American embassy instead to apply for a USA visa.
Why do I need to be careful when filling in the online application form?
When you fill out your application for authorization to stay in the USA, you need to be both vigilant and honest.
You need to be vigilant, as the ESTA is obtained by applying online. The form to be filled in is automatically checked by electronic systems. A simple inconsistency such as a typing error, for example, is sufficient reason for an ESTA application to be refused. The most frequent error is in the passport number, or in the choice of surname to be entered for a married woman (maiden or married name).
Honesty comes in the form of the ESTA questionnaire. You are asked a series of questions, and the American authorities expect you to answer “no” in order for your application to be validated. Of course, the U.S. government can’t necessarily know if a lie has crept in, but if it is discovered you risk prosecution and inadmissibility.
Information to be provided on the ESTA form
Filling out an ESTA is like filling out an online form. You can fill in the ESTA form on the official U.S. government website, or fill in a simplified form on a private website. The private site also offers personalized assistance to help you fill in your ESTA correctly.
Your personal information
Filling out an ESTA application means providing all your personal information, from your marital status and contact details to your parents’ identification and employment details. You are also required to provide your passport details: passport number, date of issue and expiry. Since the arrival of the Coronavirus, information on your state of health has been reinforced to find out your vaccination status.
Your stay in the USA
It is not necessary to purchase your airline ticket before applying for ESTA, as your flight information is not required. You must determine whether the authorization request concerns a transit or a stay. In the case of a stay, an address in the USA is required, as well as an emergency contact.
We remind you that the ESTA is valid for a maximum of 2 years, during which time you can make as many short stays as you like. We therefore advise you to apply for an ESTA for a stay and not just a stopover, especially as the local address field can be changed at any time.
Your current situation
The series of closed questions, already mentioned above, is designed to determine whether you represent a threat to American homeland security. The questions mainly concern your state of health, your criminal record, your drug use, your membership of a criminal network, your past stays in a high-risk country, etc.
Once you have completed the ESTA application, you must pay the required fee to validate your request. You will receive a reply within 72 hours.
