Do you have a trip planned with a stopover in the USA? In that case, you might be wondering what documents you need. If you have a layover in the US, you may need an ESTA for transit.
The ESTA visa waiver for transit is an important entry requirement that is mandatory for many passengers who plan to transit through the United States. This eliminates the need to obtain a US transit visa or to apply via an embassy or consulate.
Read on to find out how to apply for a US transit ESTA, who is eligible, and other useful information for connecting flights through the United States.
What Is the Definition of an ESTA in Transit?
ESTA is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, a visa waiver designed to allow eligible foreign citizens to enter the US.
The ESTA is available for tourism, business or transit purposes.
The ESTA program began in 2009 as a way of simplifying and facilitating tourist, business or transit visa application procedures for nationals from the 42 eligible Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries.
Each time the traveler enters the US with ESTA, they are permitted to stay as long as 90 days. With an ESTA transit, it can be as short as a few hours.
Do You Need an ESTA to Transit Through the USA?
If you are a citizen of a visa waiver country and you have a connecting flight in the United States, then yes, you need the ESTA transit authorization. This is the case even if the layover is en route to another destination in the US.
Whether you’ll be in the United States in transit for an hour or a day, you are required by immigration authorities to have a valid ESTA transit for the USA.
Do I need an ESTA for a layover in the US?
Yes, it is necessary to have a valid ESTA transit for a layover in the US, even if the traveler does not leave their ship or plane.
Even though you may not have your ESTA checked by US immigration, it will still need to be valid for you to board your transportation if a stopover in the United States is part of the itinerary.
In fact, the airline or shipping company may prevent you from boarding if you cannot show proof of an approved ESTA USA for transit.
Can I use the ESTA to transit through the US to another country?
Yes, if you are transiting through the US to another country, then it is mandatory to have a valid ESTA if you are a visa-exempt citizen.
You can use your ESTA to transit to another country whether entering the US by land, air, or sea.
How to Apply for a Transit ESTA
The process of obtaining a transit ESTA for the USA is simple and only takes a few minutes. The authorization can be requested entirely online without a consular interview or a visit to a US embassy.
It is necessary to complete the online US transit visa waiver form with the following:
- Personal details
- Travel information
- Passport data
- Basic security questions
It is important to have your biometric passport on hand when filling out the ESTA transit application.
Make sure that all the information entered in the application exactly matches the details on your passport as any errors could cause problems with the application.
When completing the ESTA for transit application,you will come across the question: “Is your travel to the US occurring in transit to another country?“
You should choose ‘yes’ when answering this question if you have a connecting flight in the US and your final destination is a different country.
The US Government and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who manage the ESTA scheme, strongly recommend applying for the ESTA visa waiver at least 72 hours before departure.
The USA transit ESTA is usually granted within a few hours. However, please note that it can occasionally take up to 3 days to receive the approved ESTA.
Do I Need a Visa in Addition to an ESTA USA for Transit?
Once you obtain the ESTA USA for transit, you will be able to use it for 2 consecutive years, as long as your passport remains current.
Therefore, you will not need to obtain a visa every time you need to pass through the US.
The ESTA for transit for the USA is electronically linked to your passport. Upon arrival in the US, immigration officers can check whether you have a valid ESTA or not by scanning your passport.
In the rare case that a traveler has their Transit ESTA denied, they will have to contact an embassy or consulate and apply for a US transit visa, even if they are not planning on staying in the United States.
Can I Leave the Airport with a Transit ESTA?
Yes, if you have a valid ESTA for transit, you will be able to leave the airport and explore the United States while waiting for a connecting flight.
Nevertheless, it is important to consider the following:
- You will be required to pick up your luggage
- You will have to go through immigration and airport security
In order to return to the boarding area to catch your next flight, you will have to:
- Go through airport security again
- Check your luggage in
- Arrive to your gate in time for your next flight
Although the ESTA in transit allows you to go out of the airport, consider the time it may take you to exit and return to the boarding area.