ESTA is a security measure introduced by the US government to guarantee the country’s internal security under the Visa Waiver Program. It enables visa-exempt travelers to be screened before departure. ESTA authorization is mandatory, but not available to all foreign nationals. Nationality is not the only selection criterion: the nature and duration of your stay in the United States must also be taken into account. Here we explain what you need to know in order to apply to the US authorities for an electronic travel authorization, and when to start the procedure.

When is ESTA mandatory for your trip to the USA?

ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, can only be applied for if the conditions required by the US government are met. To be eligible, the applicant must be a national of a Visa Waiver Program signatory country, but must not have a prohibited dual nationality.

To obtain authorization, the traveler must have a valid passport; an identity card is not a sufficient travel document outside the Schengen area. The US government requires that the passport used be an electronic or biometric passport. A French passport complies with US requirements. It should also be noted that a valid passport is one that is valid for the entire duration of the stay in the USA.

For visa-exempt travelers, the ESTA is mandatory for any trip to the USA of up to 90 days. The trip in question can only be a transit, tourist or business trip by air or sea.

If the requirements are met, you will receive a reply from the American authorities within 72 hours. You should therefore apply online no later than 3 days before departure. That said, it’s best to apply well in advance, to avoid any refusal. At best, the refusal is due to an error in the ESTA form, and you can reapply. At worst, you need a visa. Applying for a U.S. visa takes several weeks, since you need to make an appointment at the U.S. embassy.

ESTA authorization is normally granted for 2 years. The ESTA is linked to the passport number, so its validity depends on the validity of the passport: if the passport expires earlier, the ESTA will be less valid. Similarly, a new passport requires a new application. The ESTA is valid for multiple entries into the U.S., so you don’t need to apply for authorization each time you travel to the USA. Just remember to check its validity by logging on to the official U.S. government website using your passport.

What if I don’t qualify for ESTA authorization?

Would you like to stay in the USA for more than 3 months? Would you like to work in the USA, do an internship or study at an American university? The ESTA is not for you, but you can still make your American dream come true if you obtain a USA visa.

The U.S. government has introduced a number of visas for temporary stays, known as non-immigrant visas. The immigrant visa refers to the permanent resident card, better known as the green card. It is intended for people wishing to expatriate to the USA. To apply for a visa for a temporary stay, you need to fill in form DS-160, which is an online form valid for all types of visa. The form must then be completed with a passport photo and any supporting documents. A list of supporting documents can be found on the American Embassy website. To be validated, the visa application must be presented to a consular officer. Obtaining an immigrant visa is different. The procedure must be initiated by an American sponsor, unless you have won the green card lottery.