How to apply for ESTA with the application

How to apply for ESTA with the application

What is ESTA?

ESTA is available to citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries and territories who are traveling to the United States, including Hawaii, for tourism or short-term business purposes for 90 days or less. CBP (United States Customs and Border Protection) has launched the “ESTA Mobile” application (Android/iOS) to apply for the electronic travel authorization system ESTA from smartphones and tablets on June 21, 2023.
Previously, ESTA could only be applied for through the website, but it is now possible to apply through the application. The app is available on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and is available in 24 languages.

Advantages of Applying with the Application

This section explains the advantages of applying for ESTA through a smartphone app.

Simplified application procedures

Unlike the website application, the application requires a scan of your passport. By scanning a passport, information such as name, gender, nationality, date of birth, passport number, passport issue date and passport expiration date can be obtained, simplifying the process and preventing input errors.

Automatic Language Translation

When the application is downloaded, it is automatically set to the language of the country in which the smartphone is set up, so there is no need to set the language after opening the application.
If you wish to apply from the website instead of the application, please refer to “Points to consider when applying for ESTA with your smartphone”.

How to download the ESTA app

For iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.)

1. Open App Store
2. Enter “ESTA” in the search bar and tap “Search”
3. Install the “ESTA” application distributed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

*Compatible with iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.0 or later

For Android devices (Xperia, Galaxy, AQUOS, etc.)

1. Open Google Play
2. Enter “ESTA” in the search bar and tap “Search”
3. Install the “ESTA” application distributed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

*Compatible with smartphones or tablets running Android 8.0 or later

What you need to apply with the ESTA application

The following items are required to apply for ESTA through the application

Information required for application

Applicant information

• Name
• Passport(Passport Number、Issuing Country、Date of issue、Expiration date)
• Nationality
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Country/City of birth
• Another citizenship, nationality
• Email Address

Personal information

• Alias name
• Identification card from another country
• Address
• Phone number
• SNS account information
• CBP Global Entry Program
• Name of Parents
• Employer Information

Travel Information

• Emergency Contact
• Accommodation Information

Eligibility Questions

• History of mental illness, substance abuse, etc.
• Arrest or criminal record
• History of possession or use of illegal drugs
• History of terrorism and espionage
• History of fraudulent activities such as obtaining illegal visas
• Unauthorized intent to work in the U.S.
• Previous U.S. visa denials or refusals of entry
• History of overstaying in the U.S.
• Travel history to specific countries

In addition to the above, the application requires that the passport photo page be taken, the passport be scanned, and a photo of the applicant’s face be taken.

How to apply for ESTA through the application

Once you have downloaded the application, proceed with the application.
The application process is as follows (1) to (5).

1. Take a picture of the page with your passport photo

Open the application, go to “Continue Operation”, check “Security Notice”, and go to the home page by clicking “I Agree”.
Please read the “Disclaimer” and agree to the “Travel Promotion Act of 2009” under “If you need to apply for ESTA” under “Get Started”.
The application process will be displayed and you will be taken to the passport scanning screen from “Continue Operation”.
When the camera starts, align the passport photo page with the frame on the screen.
If the scanned passport number, date of birth, and passport expiration date are displayed and read correctly, proceed to the next step from “Continue Operation”. If the scanner does not read the data correctly, please try again from the “Rescan” menu.

2. Passport Scanning

You will be shown how to scan your passport, then click on “Start Scanning” to proceed.
Hold the camera of your smartphone over the top of the passport to start reading it. If the reading does not start, move the smartphone slowly along the passport cover.
When the message changes from “RFID chip data is being read” to “RFID chip reading completed,” the read passport information is displayed. Please confirm your personal and passport information and proceed to the next step from “Continue Operation”.

3. Photograph the applicant’s face

Take a picture of the applicant’s face. The in-camera will be activated, so please follow the instructions to place your face within the frame. If the application is recognized correctly, the frame will be enlarged, and the applicant will be asked to move his/her face close to the frame to take a picture and proceed to fill out the application form.

4. Application Entry

Passport information obtained by scanning, such as name and passport number, will be automatically entered. Please enter your city of birth, country of birth, another citizenship/nationality, and email address, then click on the right arrow at the bottom right to continue.
Once your email is confirmed, you will proceed to enter your personal and travel information, ask questions about eligibility, and confirm the details of your application.

5. Payment

If your application is complete, check the “Disclaimer” box for payment and click “Pay Now” to proceed.
Select your payment method from Paypal account, credit card, or debit card and enter your information.
Once payment is completed, the ESTA authorization review will begin.
ESTA takes up to 72 hours from the time payment is received until authorization is granted. You will receive a notification when your certification status is updated to your registered e-mail address, so you can check the results.

How to check certification status

1. Open “Find” in the application “If you have already obtained ESTA
2. Input required information
   • Passport number
   • Date of Birth
   • Travel application number or nationality, passport issue date, and expiration date
3. Confirmation of certification status
   There are three patterns of certification results
   • AUTHORIZATION APPROVED：Certification approved
   • AUTHORIZATION PENDING：Certification audit is pending
   • TRAVEL NOT AUTHORIZED：Travel has been denied

Notes on using the ESTA application

Is the application supported

Check if the device used is compatible with the ESTA application. The ESTA application is compatible with iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.) running iOS 12.0 or later or Android devices (Xperia, Glaxy, AQUOS, etc.) running Android 8.0 or later. Please download from App Store or Google Play. Please refer to “How to Download the ESTA App” for download instructions.

Retention of application information

Similar to the website, the application requires the entry of passport number, date of birth, travel application number or nationality, passport issue date, and passport expiration date in order to resume input and check the certification screening status. Input information cannot be saved in the application, so it must be left in a separate memo, etc.

Carrying passport

When applying with the application, you will need to “1. take a picture of the page with your passport photo” and “2. scan your passport”, so a passport is required. Download the app to apply on the go, but don’t forget to carry your passport. When applying on the website, you only need to prepare an image of your passport photo page to proceed with the application.

Group Application

Group applications are not available on the application. Please proceed with the application procedure one person at a time. The website allows group applications for up to 50 people, and contact email addresses and payment cards can be set up all at once.

ESTA is a “travel authorization system” required for travel to the United States, but the final decision on entry is made by the CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) immigration inspector at the airport where you arrive. Please note that obtaining ESTA does not necessarily guarantee your stay in the U.S.

UPDATE : 2025/02/14