ESTA Application Form

Travelers from visa waiver countries can apply for a US ESTA online before traveling to the United States.

It takes just a few minutes to complete an online application for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for the USA. The simple form can be completed using any electronic device such as a laptop or smartphone.

An approved ESTA travel authorization allows the holder to visit the US for up to 90 days with each entry. It is valid for tourism, business, or transit stays.

This page explains how to complete an online US visa waiver application step-by-step and answer any ESTA application questions travelers may have.

Who Needs to Submit an ESTA Application?

The following travelers must submit an ESTA authorization application for the USA:

If the traveler does not hold a passport from a country in the US visa waiver program., they cannot submit an ESTA request. Instead, they should apply for a category B American visa at their nearest embassy or consulate.

estavisaus.org application steps

Travelers can apply for an ESTA travel authorization in 3 simple steps:

What Do I Need to Apply for the ESTA US Visa Waiver?

ESTA requirements state that all applicants should have a passport from an eligible country.

The applicant must be sure that their passport:

Each applicant for the ESTA must also have:

Although an approved ESTA is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport, a copy of the ESTA approval is also sent to the applicant’s email inbox.

It is recommended that they print the authorization to show at US border control.

The ESTA application has several mandatory fields that the traveler must fill out. Additionally, there are several yes or no eligibility questions on an ESTA application the traveler must answer truthfully before they can proceed with their request.

Personal details required to apply for the ESTA

The first section of the ESTA form is completed with basic personal information such as the applicant’s name, date of birth, and nationality.

It is also necessary to supply contact information such as email address and mobile/cell number.

Passport information for the US ESTA

The next section asks applicants to fill out information including passport number, passport issuance and expiry date, and issuing country.

The applicant also needs to indicate whether they have second citizenship or if they have had dual citizenship in the past, and provide details of this.

Address and Employment Information

In the next section, applicants must fill out their residential address in their home country.

The ESTA form also requires that travelers respond to questions about employment if they have a current or previous job. They can also provide details of the address they will be staying at in the US, but this is optional.

Parents and emergency information

Next, the applicant must supply the names and surnames of their parents.

They also have the option to include emergency contact, but this is not mandatory.

ESTA Questions on the Application Form

These questions ask the traveler health and security questions such as if they have a criminal record, certain serious communicable illnesses, or if they have previously overstayed in the USA.

If an applicant has to answer Yes to any of these questions, they are not eligible to apply for a US visa waiver and need to apply for a US visa instead.

After answering these questions, the applicant must declare that all the information is truthful and accept terms and conditions and privacy terms. They can then proceed to review the ESTA application and make payment.

Select additional services

On the estavisaus.org payment page, you can select up to 2 additional services.

British citizens can register with the UK Embassy in the United States by choosing the Embassy Registration option.

All applicants can opt-in for Fee Insurance. With the insurance, you can get a full refund if your trip is canceled for reasons such as illness or flight cancelations, even if your ESTA has already been approved.

To select either service, click the checkbox on the payment page.

Payment of the ESTA fees

Applicants are then directed to the payment page.

The ESTA fee is paid securely online using a debit or credit card.

Photo and passport image

Once the ESTA payment has been accepted, applicants are prompted to provide the necessary supporting documents to finalize their application. These are:

You’re recommended to upload these documents immediately after payment. Our team will make sure they meet the size and format requirements.

It’s possible to add your images at a later date, but it’s essential that you do so in good time before your trip. If this step is not completed up to 2 days before you travel, your ESTA will not be processed.

What Happens if I Made a Mistake on my ESTA Application?

Once an applicant has finished entering the necessary details and answering all of the mandatory questions, they should double-check that the information and responses are accurate and there are no errors.

This is essential because even small mistakes in the data provided on the ESTA application form can lead to processing delays or even a denial of the authorization.

During the application process, the applicant is required to fill in all mandatory fields, indicated in the ESTA form with a * sign. Help tips can be found on the side of each field, marked by a question mark. If any of these fields are not completed, the ESTA may also be rejected.

How Long Does an ESTA Application Take to Be Approved?

The US ESTA application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and submit. After reviewing the ESTA form, the applicant can proceed to payment. When the payment has been accepted, the application is submitted for processing.

The majority of ESTA applications are processed in less than 24 hours. However, in some cases, it may take longer to review the application, up to 72 hours.

Foreign visitors are advised to apply for ESTA for the USA ahead of time, possibly as soon as they know the date of their trip to the United States. But at least 72 hours before departure.

Can I Cancel an ESTA Application after I Submit it?

You can cancel your US ESTA application until US Customs & Border Protection process it.

However this usually happens within ten minutes after your payment has been received. After that, you can no longer cancel your application.

If you are unsure if processing of the ESTA has begun you can easily check the ESTA status online.

You can cancel your application if you’ve opted in for the insurance and you cannot travel due to illness, flight disruption, or other unavoidable circumstances.

Request your refund up to 120 days after applying for the ESTA using the Contact Form. Select "I purchased an insurance service and I’d like to claim a refund for a canceled trip" as the Refund Reason.

Can I Apply for an ESTA without Travel Plans?

Yes, it is possible to successfully complete an ESTA application form without knowing the details of one’s travel plans.

ESTA is a visa waiver registration process that remains valid for 2 years after being approved and allows for multiple entries into the United States. This means that visitors are not expected to have detailed travel plans for their stay(s) in the U.S.

The first place to be visited must be provided in the ESTA application form. If the petitioner already knows the address at which they will be staying, they should include it in their questionnaire. Otherwise, the name of the hotel and/or a location will be enough.

A valid ESTA is still necessary to transit through the U.S. without a visa. There is a dedicated option in the application form that travelers can select in this case.