WHEN TO APPLY ESTA?

The internal security of the United States has been strengthened more than ever since threats of acts of terrorism loomed over the country. It is for this reason that the United States government has seen fit to introduce the visa waiver system. Since 2009, each passenger from certain countries is obliged to make an ESTA request.

For children or incapacitated people, a third person can request it for them. For people who do not want to drag on with the procedure or who do not have the time to do so, they can simply use the services of sites specialized in the matter. This costs on average 60 €.

MAKING A REQUEST FOR ESTA, IS IT DIFFICULT?

Since its establishment in 2008, the request for ESTA has become increasingly simple. The form is now available in several languages. At each stage of the request, you can access a help page at any time. Information on ESTA is easily found on the Internet both through the sections of specialized sites that we have just mentioned, and on travel forums. The only somewhat restrictive points are undoubtedly the length of the form required fill in carefully. The administrative costs and the cost of the service providers are to be added to this.

DON’T FORGET DURING ESTA REQUEST SUBMISSION

Always check the information you have entered, otherwise your request will be refused . In the worst case, you will have to make your request again. It is important not to lose the file number since the American government will not notify you when your status is announced, you must consult your file by yourself.

It is however possible to update the ESTA , only for certain information.

You will need this number to find out. This is also one of the reasons that push people to go to specialized sites since most of them offer to warn their customers as soon as the status is issued.

HOW LONG BEFORE LEAVING SHOULD I SUBMIT THE ESTA REQUEST?

There is no set deadline. In general, it is 72 hours before your departure (practical when you leave on a whim and with no specific project ). However, some people have applied at the airport a few minutes before departure. This is called an emergency ESTA. But you can just as easily make your request several months before your departure. It is for this reason that ESTA has a long period of validity . Be careful with your passport. If you already have ESTA and have just renewed your passport, you will need to renew your travel authorization with the information from your new passport.