Planning a trip across the pond soon? Maybe you have been bitten by the travel bug and you want to tour some of the most famous tourist sites or attend a business seminar? Whatever your reason for travel to the U. S, you appreciate that travel requirements especially after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
One of the most popular ways of entering the country is through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program eases the conditions for visitors from some countries entering the U.S. Since 2009, travelers require a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to fly or sail to the United States of America under the VWP.
With the popularity of Esta America, there are many questions surrounding this visa-free system of travel. This post seeks to demystify this travel authorization program to make it easier for you to plan your next trip.
Is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) the same as ESTA?
There’s a lot of confusion because many people use Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and ESTA interchangeably. However, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program started by the U. S government in 1986 together with 39 allies.
The idea was to promote travel by allowing visitors to enter without a visa. The travel program under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in cooperation with the State Department was to encourage travel for business or tourism between these countries. The permitted travel included stays of up to 90 days without a visa and U.S. citizens and nationals could travel to these countries without a visa for business or tourism purposes.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), on the other hand, is an automated system which reviews and determines your eligibility for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This system collects biographic information and answers to VWP eligibility questions to determine if you pose any security threat.
The system has an automated form which you must complete for the travel authorization under VWP. You’re required to enter your biographic, travel, and make on the system. The system then automatically processes the data and determines if you’re eligible to travel to the country without a visa under VWP.
Whether you’re flying or sailing to the country, the carrier you use verifies with the United States Customs and Border Protection against the validity of your ESTA.
Do you need to apply for ESTA even if you have a Visa?
Many people struggle to qualify for ESTA even though they already have a valid Visa. This is because of the misinformation about the purpose of the VWP authorization. If you already have a valid visa, it’s not mandatory to apply for ESTA.
What are the advantages of ESTA?
When planning to visit the U.S for business or pleasure, most people are scared about the Visa application. This is one of the reasons that ESTA has become so popular for people in eligible countries. It’s recommended that you apply for a visa only if you don’t meet the requirements of an ESTA.
For the visa, you have to make an appointment with the embassy and this takes a lot of time. If you have to travel urgently, it makes more sense to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if your country is eligible. The entire procedure takes place online and you’ll have the ESTA within 72 hours.
For the visa, you have to make the appointment with the embassy and go through a rigorous vetting process. The best thing about the ESTA is that it allows you to travel anywhere throughout the United States with no restrictions including Alaska and Hawaii.
Is the application for ESTA complicated?
When it comes to do with anything about applying to get into a country, your mind immediately just to complex and convoluted. Surprisingly, applying for ESTA is a straightforward process which happens online. you’ll have to check whether your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If your country qualifies, you’ll meet the following requirements:
Valid passport
You need a valid passport from your Visa Waiver Program country
Application fees
You’ll pay U.S. $14 per application. The processing charge for the electronic travel authorization is U.S. $4.00. There’s an authorization charge (for approved applications) for those accepted under the Visa Waiver Program. The charge is U.S. $10.00 added to your payment method.
Personal background information
Provide your personal background information. You’ll need a valid email address, provide your home address and phone number, emergency point of contact phone and email, and aliases or other names you’ve previously used. Where applicable, you’ll need a national ID or Personal ID number, global Entry ID number, employer address and phone number, U.S. point of contact name, address, and phone.
What happens after applying for ESTA?
There’s no request to visit the embassy. If you’re approved you’ll simply receive an email! Although the time between applying and actually receiving the email can be nerve-wrecking; when I applied for my own ESTA I was so anxious! But WHY?!
When applying for ESTA, the most important condition is to confirm that you’re not a threat to the host country. You should answer all security questions on the application form truthfully. You should also consent to the statement of agreement.
In case your application fails, check the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for the main reasons this happens. You can also appeal through the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program.
The email address you provide is important. This is the main channel of communication with the CBP regarding your ESTA. When your ESTA is about to expire, you’ll receive an email expiration notice which you should act on. Your approved ESTA application is valid for a period of two years. This means you can travel to the U.S without any application over the validity period. The ESTA qualifies you to a stay of up to 90 days at a time.
If you want to visit the U.S, you don’t have to panic about the visa requirement. If your country is under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you can easily visit without a visa. To do this, you need an electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA). This guide clarifies some of the major concerns regarding ESTA to make it easier for you to make your travel plans.
