About ESTA (Electric System for Travel Authorization)
Contents
What is ESTA (Electric System for Travel Authorization)?
ESTA is an immigration pre-screening system under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and is required for short-term travel to the U.S.
If you are traveling to the U.S. for general sightseeing or short-term business, ESTA allows you to enter the country without obtaining a visa. ESTA is an immigration pre-screening system that is mandatory for all ages when you wish to stay in the U.S. for 90 days or less, while you need to apply for a visa instead if your purpose is to work or study.
ESTA Application subject
ESTA is available only to passport holders from VWP (Visa Waiver Program) participating countries who are traveling for sightseeing or short-term business within 90 days.
VWP (Visa Waiver Program) participating countries are as follows.
Countries participating in the visa waiver program
Great Britain, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan, Poland, Croatia, Israel, Chile
*Persons with a serious criminal record or those suffering from a contagious disease are not eligible to apply for ESTA, even if they are citizens of a VWP participating country.
*Travelers who wish to work, study, or live permanently in Japan are also exempt and must obtain a visa as needed.
More information for the Visa Waiver Program, please check here.
ESTA Application Requirements
- Purpose of travel to the U.S. must be for general tourism or short-term business
- The duration of stay in the U.S. must be less than 90 days (except for work or study)
- The applicant must be a citizen of countries participating in the VWP and possess a passport with a valid IC chip
- Have no serious criminal record in the past, and must not be suffering from contagious diseases or illnesses as defined by the U.S.
- Have no intention to stay in the U.S. for a long period of time and return to their home country after completing the purpose of their visit
Required Documents and Application Process for ESTA
You will need your passport and credit card to apply for ESTA. The passport information on the application form must be the ESTA applicant’s own information. Even when minors applying for ESTA, it is required to enter their own passport information, not that of a parent or guardian. Make sure that your passport is valid and has an IC chip when applying.
ESTA can be applied through our ESTA Application Provide Site. For the application procedure, please refer to “Guide for filling out the ESTA application form – Q&A“. For payment, it can only be made by credit card (Visa, Master Card, JCB, American Express, Diners Club). If the applicant does not have a credit card, payment can be made with a credit card other than his/her own.
ESTA expiration date and application period
ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, and multiple trips to the US are permitted within the period. However, it is important to note that if your passport is valid for 2 years or less, your ESTA will also expire on the day your passport expires. We usually recommend that you apply for an ESTA after renewing your passport if it expires within six months. CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection), which has jurisdiction over ESTA, recommends that you apply at least 72 hours before departure, so be sure to complete the procedure when the trip is scheduled.
More information for ESTA expiration, please check here.
Points to keep in mind when applying for ESTA
- As a general rule, ESTA is valid for two years from the date of acquisition. However, if your passport is valid for less than two years, ESTA will expire on the expiration date of your passport.
- If you change your family name due to marriage, etc. and obtain a new passport, you must apply for ESTA with your new passport number.
- ESTA applications are processed online only. After the application is submitted, the DHS (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) will review the application and notify the applicant of the results within 72 hours.
- If you have received a “Travel Authorization Denied” notice, please consider applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy. We recommend that you do so as soon as possible, as it is expected to take at least one month to obtain a visa from the time of application.
For more information on obtaining a visa, please see “Applying for a U.S. visa (nonimmigrant visa)”.
ESTA application service
The ESTA Application Provide Site offers its clients full support for complex ESTA application procedures, 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.
Its expert staff provides thorough advice for those unaccustomed to traveling to the U.S. or uncertain about completing the application procedures themselves. Using the application service on this site provides the following advantages and added value compared with applying directly by oneself.
Advantages of Using the ESTA Application Provide Site
- ❶Compatibility with all devices (PCs, smartphones, tablets)
- ❷Support provided 24 hours/day, 365 days/year
- ❸Ability to retry the application if the CBP site is undergoing maintenance
- ❹Support for resolving irregularities or errors in application procedures
- ❺Unlimited number of free responses to your queries
- ❻Results of application provided by email
- ❼Application and certification status can be queried
- ❽Free correction of errors in registration information. (one time only)
More information for ESTA Price, please check here.
UPDATE : 2024/11/18
