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.

ESTA for flying to the United States

Planning to fly to the United States of America at least once in your lifetime is a dream most of the people have. But at the same time there are many other things involved in it before you actually fly. There are procedures involved and it is a must that these procedures happen well in advance. One such procedure is applying for ESTA. Here are a few things you need to know about ESTA and the related procedures:

What is ESTA?

The full form of ESTA is Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This is mandatory regulation of the government of USA for all those people who want to go to US and are from the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. Currently there are 38 countries which participate in the Visa Waiver program. This is a kind of system where the eligibility of a visitor is authorized. Even though it gives a decision about the eligibility of a visitor, it does not determine if the visitor is admissible within the country or not. Admissibility is determined by the Customs and Border Protection officials when you arrive into the country.

ESTA is necessary for all those who are entering the country from the sea or by the plane. Those travelling by road from Canada or Mexico do not need to get an ESTA.

What all is necessary for ESTA?

ESTA, in layman’s terms can be called as collection of your personal details for the process of identity verification. Your biographic information is the focus of this registration which further determines eligibility. This authorization is done online once you fill up the available form. It is recommended that a visitor submits a request for authorization at least 72 hours before travelling to US, but it is always safer to do it as soon as your tickets for US are booked. Even a child needs to get ESTA and without having one, the officials can deny you an entry into the country. The authentication of the application usually takes less than a minute. Some approvals also need to have a Visa. So that can include a series of interviews with the US consulate officials.

Validity:

The authorization under ESTA can be valid up to two years. The US Customs and Border Protection officials have all the authority to cancel or deny ESTA at any point of time after approval. In that case you need to submit a new application.

Denial of ESTA:

There are possibilities that you can be denied ESTA. In that case you will have to apply for a United States visitor visa. In case you wish to re apply for ESTA, you will have to wait for at least 10 days before doing so. Also it is a must that whatever was the condition for denial has to be changed. It is essential to know that trying to forge or providing any false information can lead to permanent barring from visiting the states. The US embassy then cannot help you to get an ESTA or Visa in any case.

Your dreams of visiting can definitely fulfill without hassles, provided you apply for ESTA well in advance. One small procedure and you are all set to go.