What Is Esta Travel Authorization?

Published On : 05 Sep 2024

ESTA stands for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which is an automated system for assessing the admissibility of the Visa Waiver Program travelers coming from certain countries to the United States. Here is an overview of what ESTA is, how it works, and key things travelers should know.

What is ESTA?

ESTA is an acronym that means Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an online system that is used to screen visitors to find out whether they are qualified to travel to the United States under VWP. ESTA is valid for the citizens of 38 countries for temporary business and/or leisure visits to the United States for up to 90 days.

ESTA program was introduced in 2009, and it eliminated the paper I-94W form that the visitors used to complete. It is meant to serve as a backup for the United States border security. They usually do not require more than 25 minutes to complete the applications.

How Does ESTA Work?

It also stipulates that under ESTA, those intending to travel under VWP are required to obtain travel authorization before embarking on a carrier to travel to the US by air or sea. Such forms can be filled out at any time before the intended travel. As a rule, the answer is given immediately, in other words, in a few seconds.

The ESTA form contains a set of questions that require the applicant to enter his or her biographical details such as name, date of birth, and passport details. They are also presented with certain questions related to communicable diseases, arrests, and convictions, and refused visa or ESTA history in VWP eligibility.

When granted, travel through ESTA is often approved for up to two years from the date of application or the passport’s expiration date, whichever is earlier.

Key Facts About ESTA:

Approval for ESTA does not equal permission to enter the United States. ESTA enables one to travel to the U.S. port of entry but the final decision on whether to admit the applicant or not rests with the Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of entry.
It is important to note that there is a $21 fee that applicants have to pay to process their ESTA applications. The fee can be paid online using a debit card or credit card. Any application without the payment of this fee will not be issued an ESTA travel authorization.
As a rule, the responses to the applications for ESTA on the Internet are given immediately. However, some applications need one to undertake a manual process before deciding as to whether to grant the application or not. The maximum time allowed for a response is 72 hours.
In case ESTA is refused, the applicants have to apply for a visa through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before entering the United States.
ESTA does not automatically afford visa status whether seeking a change from tourism to student or working status. It is necessary to apply through standard procedures for another visa.
ESTA collects only personal and travel eligibility data. It does not act as a determinable criterion of admissibility to the U.S., entry is still subjected to the normal customs entry procedures such as search of baggage, and interviews.

ESTA Status Verification

This is because ESTA authorization is electronically attached to the passport of the traveler and therefore any changes on the passport or eligibility may affect the status of ESTA. Any changes to an ESTA standing must be checked within 72 hours of the planned travel at the ESTA website. To check for the ESTA real-time status, one has to log into the ESTA system by entering the application number, passport number, and date of birth.

Passport holders who previously applied for an ESTA before the latest issued passport must check ESTA status within 72 hours of travel. It is important to note that ESTA approval is not portable to new passports since they have validity periods. Notably, a fresh travel authorization is required in cases of change of the passport information.

In conclusion, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization augments the Visa Waiver Program by providing more efficiency in travel and enhanced security measures. Transforming a paper-based system into an electronic one, provides low-risk admissible travelers easy access to the United States while directing effort and time to those who pose a higher risk.