ESTA Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to many common questions regarding ESTA and traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

1. 1. ESTA Eligibility

   1.1 Who can apply for ESTA?
   1.2 What are the qualification criteria for ESTA?

2. 2. ESTA Application Process

   2.1 How can you apply for ESTA?
   2.2 When should you apply for ESTA?

3. 3. Visa and ESTA

   3.1 Do you need to apply for ESTA if you have a tourist visa?
   3.2 What is the difference between ESTA and a tourist visa?

4. 4. Arriving via Air or Sea

   4.1 Do I need an approved ESTA if I arrive by air?
   4.2 Do I need an approved ESTA if I arrive by sea?
   4.3 Do I need an approved ESTA if I arrive via a land border crossing?

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1. ESTA Eligibility

1.1  Who can apply for ESTA?
Passport holders from one of the 35 visa waiver countries are eligible to apply for ESTA. The 35 visa waiver countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

1.2  What are the qualification criteria for ESTA?
There are a number of requirements which must be fulfilled in order to apply for ESTA. The most important eligibility requirements are related to the passport being machine-readable or ePassport depending on the citizenship in addition to being eligible to enter under the Visa Waiver Program at all. More information about the eligibility requirements can be found in our Application Package.

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2. ESTA Application Process

2.1.  How can you apply for ESTA?
You can only apply for your own travel Electronic System online. The US Department of State has created only one website where you can apply for your own travel authorization. There is currently no fee to apply for ESTA. However, the United States government may introduce a fee in 2010.

2.2  When should you apply for ESTA?
You are recommend to apply for your own travel authorization if you plan on visiting the United States visa free within the next 3-6 months. It can take the US government up to 72 hours to provide you with an answer, but most likely you will receive an answer within 5-10 seconds.  

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3. Visa and ESTA

3.1  Do you need to apply for ESTA if you have a tourist visa?
No. You are not required to apply for ESTA if you hold a valid United States visa.

3.2  What is the difference between ESTA and a tourist visa?
ESTA is only related to the visa waiver program and applicable to citizens holding a passport from one of the 35 visa waiver countries. A tourist visa must be applied for by anyone else who do not qualify for ESTA or who are from a non-visa waiver country. ESTA is an online application process performed by the individual, while a visa can only be applied for at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

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4. Arriving via Air or Sea

4. 1  Do I need an approved ESTA if I arrive by air?
Yes. Visa waiver travelers entering the United States by air are required to hold a valid ESTA application.

4.2  Do I need an approved ESTA if I arrive by sea?
Yes. Visa waiver travelers entering the United States by sea are required to hold a valid ESTA application.

4.3  Do I need an approved ESTA if I arrive via a land border crossing?
No. There is currently no ESTA requirement for U.S. land border crossings

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