Filling in an ESTA form to travel to the USA and receive your authorization is a relatively simple process, but one that requires concentration. If you make a mistake when filling in the online form, the electronic systems will reject your file, so you’ll have to renew your authorization request or apply for a U.S. visa at the U.S. embassy.

Before explaining how to obtain an ESTA and how to complete your application, it is important to remember that you can only complete this formality if you meet all of the following requirements:

  • you are a national of a member country of the USA Visa Waiver Program;
  • you have a valid biometric or electronic passport;
  • you wish to travel to the USA for tourism, business or transit;
  • you wish to stay in the USA for a maximum of 90 days.

Are you one of the foreign nationals eligible for the program? Find out now how to apply online!

Fill out your ESTA USA on the official U.S. government website

First of all, you’ll need your electronic or biometric passport, as you’ll need your passport number. You’ll also need a credit card to validate your application.

Start by visiting the U.S. government website and clicking on “new application”, then “make an individual application” or “make a group application”. Accept the security conditions.

The online form consists of three distinct steps:

  • applicant’s personal data, including surname, first name, gender, date of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry, country of citizenship, personal contact details, e-mail address, employment status, etc.
  • U.S. travel information: the U.S. authorities want to know where you plan to spend your stay, and also require an emergency contact;
  • eligibility questions concerning your medical and criminal records (contagious diseases, mental disorders).

When you have finished filling in the online questionnaire, you should carefully review your information before submitting the ESTA form to the US authorities.

Complete your ESTA form on a specialized website

Once again, a valid passport and payment card are required to complete your ESTA form.

For simpler procedures, simply visit the private site of your choice. In general, the form is located on the home page and can be completed in just a few minutes. You’ll need to specify the number of travelers, your e-mail address, your gender, your first and last names, your date and place of birth, your nationality, your passport number and its issue and expiry dates. You must then accept the terms and conditions. Then simply review your personal information and validate it by paying with your credit card.

A team is responsible for carefully reviewing all the information supplied. In this way, a second data check is carried out before your application is sent to the American authorities. This can prevent you from providing incorrect information that could result in a refusal.

When can I expect an answer to my ESTA application?

The electronic systems analyze your request and sometimes send you a reply just a few minutes after your validation. However, the American authorities may require more time due to a large number of requests, for example. This can take up to 72 hours.

Once you’ve received your ESTA authorization, you can use it for two years (the official validity period), unless your passport expires or important information about you has changed.