ESTA application must for a problem free trip to the US

After the unfortunate event of 9/11 in the United States, it became extremely necessary to make the regulations for entry into the country very strict. Under the same context, the procedures for other countries’ visitors to get into United States became stringent. ESTA is one such procedure which the visitors planning to go to US must fulfill in order to attain eligibility.

What does ESTA mean and comprise of?

ESTA can be expanded as Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which is an online procedure to authorize the eligibility of a visitor planning to visit the United States for 90 days or less. It is basically a procedure to authenticate that you are eligible enough as per the norms the US Embassy and other authorities have laid down. All you need to do is give out your biographic details which are verified within a few minutes by the officials. But this does not give the permission for you to enter the country. This permission is given by the Customs and Border Protections officers (CBP) at the time of your arrival into the country.

Who needs to get ESTA?

The citizens of the Visa Waiver program (VWP) need to get an ESTA before getting in into US. There are 38 countries that are currently a part of the VWP. But if you are a citizen of Canada or Mexico, this procedure is not applicable to you. It is not necessary also if you are going to the US via road from Canada or Mexico, but for all those planning to take the plane or sea route necessarily need to get the ESTA.

Those who already have a valid visa to USA need not apply for ESTA.

How does one apply?

It is an online procedure, where you need to fill up the form for application. Once you fill in your details, the authentication takes place within seconds or a few minutes. Mostly people are advised to apply keeping a grace of 3 days, which is 72 hours before they actually leave for US. So once you book the tickets, you know when to apply for ESTA. But you can apply way before your leaving date in case your booking is done.

If you are denied the eligibility in the first instance, you can always re apply. But you need to keep a gap of 10 days after the previous denial and the new application. Also, the reasons for the denial need to be changed otherwise the application can stand cancelled again on the same grounds, which is wastage of your time and resources. Then you need to apply for a Visa to enter the country.

Fees for ESTA:

Summing up to a total of $14, the fee is deducted from your credit card. It is inclusive of a $4 processing fee and another $10 under the Visa Waiver program. In case your application is denied, only the processing fee is deducted.

If you apply for ESTA well in advance, it will ensure that the entire process goes smooth and you fly to US without any problems.