ESTA application – what is it and who can apply for it?
ESTA is the abbreviation for Electronic System for Travel Authorization and has been required for entry into the USA since January 2009. For authorized citizens, the electronic entry authorization replaces the form that previously had to be filled out on ships or airplanes. The automated ESTA system makes visa-free travel in the USA possible for up to 90 days. All travelers can apply for ESTA as part of the Visa Waiver Program . The processing time for the ESTA travel authorization is on average 72 hours and should therefore be requested in good time.
Background to ESTA
Many years ago, the immigration authorities launched the so-called Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All participating nationalities an electronic travel authorization. This allows citizens of these countries to apply for the ESTA travel authorization and thus enter the United States for business or private purposes. This measure saves the tedious process and the long waiting time in contrast to a normal visa application for entry. Currently, a total of 41 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, including Japan, Chile, Australia and most countries of the European Union, including Germany.
Check out more: What Visa is Right For You When Relocating to the USA?
Uncomplicated ESTA application for entry into the USA
We are happy to help you apply for the ESTA travel authorization and are available to answer any questions you may have at any time. This saves you time and means you don’t have to spend a long time researching. In addition, our Düsseldorf branch offers a variety of payment options: in cash, with an EC card or even with a credit card. In some cases, ESTA data can be entered immediately when you come in person. You will need a valid passport from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, current contact information and information about your current or last place of work. To avoid problems, we are happy to submit the application for you.
Average processing times for ESTA applications at Visas United
The processing time for the ESTA forms at Visas United is a few days in the express procedure and a little more than 5 working days in the normal procedure (but usually only 48 hours) in the express procedure and a little more than 5 working days in the normal procedure. If your application is approved, you will receive authorization for your trip to the USA in the shortest possible time. Only in individual cases and when the US Border Agency and the DHS are checking, the approval can exceed the normal processing time.
We will be happy to take care of all relevant documents and ensure communication with the relevant authorities and consulates.
Costs for the ESTA application
The processing fee from Visas United is currently around 76.00 euros (STANDARD) or 96.00 euros (EXPRESS) per person. In addition, there is a consular fee from the US consulate of around 21.00 euros (this amount may be slightly lower or higher depending on the current exchange rate).
Visas United service fee + consular fee = 76.00 Euro (STANDARD)/96.00 Euro (EXPRESS) TOTAL
The service fee includes entering your application into the authorities’ system, paying the necessary consular fees and sending the travel authorization to the customer.
Apply for ESTA entry authorization directly from Visas United
To apply for or renew your electronic travel authorization through Visas United, please download the application form using the button below . Once you have completed it, we will immediately begin working on bringing you closer to your dream of traveling to the United States.
The Visas United agency works independently of the consulate and other authorities. For a small service fee, the visa application is processed for the customer. Of course, you do not need to rely on the support of our experienced team when applying for a visa . However, if you decide to apply for a visa yourself, you should consider the following in advance: If you do not provide the relevant consulate with all the necessary data and documents, the application may be rejected and any costs incurred up to that point will not be reimbursed by the authorities. Detailed information on applying for an ESTA yourself can be found on the official website of the respective consulate .
Further information
Who cannot apply for ESTA authorization?
Travelers who were in Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan on or after March 1, 2011, or who are citizens of one of these countries, cannot apply for an ESTA visa.
Travelers who traveled to CUBA on or after January 12, 2021 cannot apply for an ESTA visa.
Hungarian citizens are still generally eligible for the ESTA, but will only receive an ESTA valid for one year for a single entry. If Hungarian citizens were not born in Hungary, they require a visa and are NO longer eligible for the ESTA!
In 2017, US President Donald Trump ordered that citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries be banned from entering the US for 90 days. The countries affected include Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Iran and Yemen. People with dual citizenship are not affected if they use the passport of the other country to enter the country. However, the latter country must not be on the list of affected countries.
Apply for ESTA authorization at the airport?
It is not possible to apply for ESTA at the airport. You should submit your ESTA application at the airport at least 72 hours before your departure. This is because you must be able to show your ESTA authorization before departure in order to be allowed to check in at all.
How long is the stay with the ESTA authorization?
The maximum length of stay for ESTA applications is 90 days per entry.
What information is requested in the ESTA application?
There is a number of mandatory information that you must provide in order to apply for ESTA travel authorization:
- First name and last name (same as in the passport)
- Gender
- Other names that have ever been used
- country and place of birth
- birth date
- country of current primary residence
- contact information
- passport information
- name of parents
- information about the employer
- Information about the contact person in the USA
- emergency contact details
- Security issues (e.g. criminal record, visa rejections, serious illnesses, etc.)
What do I do if my ESTA application is rejected?
It is possible that an ESTA application is rejected, which can be due to incorrect or incomplete information, among other things. A rejected ESTA application cannot be repeated and it is essential to apply for a US visa through the consulates. It is strongly recommended that you do not enter the USA without an ESTA travel authorization. You will be denied further travel before you even reach the border, as the check-in at the airport checks whether you have a valid ESTA authorization.
If this is the case for you, simply contact our experts at Visas United. We will be happy to advise you and help you make your USA travel dreams come true.
Which visa should you apply for if your ESTA application is rejected?
The visa can belong to a different category depending on the profession or reason for entry. You can find a selection here.
- The visa for holidaymakers is called a visitor visa (B2) .
- You apply for the business visa (B1) if you want to enter the country for business purposes.
- To travel through the USA you must apply for a transit visa (C) .
- To participate in a student exchange program, you need a student exchange visa (J1)
- Students who want to study in the USA or take a language course need an F1 visa. Which one is required depends on whether the university or educational institution is academically recognized.
- Crews of aircraft and ships require a crew visa (C1/D)
If you have any questions about visas, we will be happy to advise you.
Quick Facts about the United States of America
- Continent: North America
- Official language: English
- Capital: Washington DC
- Population: 322,755,353 (2015)
- Area: 9,826,675 km²
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Telephone area code: +1
- Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (-6), Central Standard Time (-7), Mountain Standard Time (-8), Pacific Standard Time (-9)
- License plate: USA
- The country consists of a total of 50 federal states. Many of these states are several times larger than Germany.
- The climate in the USA varies greatly depending on the region or state. While metropolises such as New York City are in temperate climates, Miami, for example, has a tropical climate. In Alaska, on the other hand, it can get very cold.
- Holidays: New Year’s Day – January 1st, Martin Luther King Day – third Monday in January, President’s Day – third Monday in February, Memorial Day – last Monday in May, Independence Day – July 4th, Labor Day – first Monday in September, Columbus Day – second Monday in October, Veteran’s Day – November 11th, Thanksgiving Day – fourth Thursday in November, Christmas Day – December 25th
Leave a Comment