USA ESTA VISA: Step by Step Guide on ESTA Visa Application

Want to visit the USA? Don’t know whether you need a visa or you need a visa waiver or not?

Are you required to apply for an ESTA, and don’t know what that is or how to apply?

Well, we’re here to help you. This guide is for those who are applying for an ESTA for the USA; you will know who is eligible, what the requirements are, and how to get it.

What is an ESTA?

ESTA means the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is a system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.

Btw, who is Visa Exempt in the USA?

Only 4 Countries are not required to have a visa or an ESTA to enter the USA and its territories;

Canada
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Palau
Bermuda – (although not a country but they are visa-free)

Who needs an ESTA?

A citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country who

does not have a visitor's visa.
intends to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure, or transit
arriving by Air/Cruise ship

What Countries are under the Visa Waiver Program?

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece

Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway

Portugal
Republic of Malta
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan*
United Kingdom

What do you need when applying for an ESTA?

Valid passport from a Visa Waiver Program country
Valid credit card (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover (JCB, Diners Club)) or PayPal to pay the US $14 per application.
Your contact information.
Your most recent employment information, if applicable.

What is the Application Process?

STEP 1: Go to this website. Choose between an Individual Application and a Group Application; prepare your passport and information

For group application: Applying as a group allows up to a maximum of 50 applications to be paid with a single payment. The persons in the group are not required to travel together.

A contact person must be assigned, and a message will be sent to the email address provided and will contain a Group ID. Each group of applications is associated with a Group ID.

STEP 2: Enter Application Information

STEP 3: Review Application

STEP 4: Pay and Complete

How much is the Fee?

A total of $14 per person if you are approved, however, if you are denied you are only charged $4.

Processing Fee - US$4
Authorization Fee - US$10

Can I pay later?

Yes, you can submit payment within 7 days of applying. If it is already more than 7 days, then you will have to apply again.

How do I know I am approved?

ESTA will usually return an Application Status within 72 hours; however, you can check the status on the ESTA website.

To check your ESTA status:

Go to the ESTA homepage
Click "Check Existing Application" and then "Check Individual Status"
Enter the passport number, date of birth, and application number
If you did not receive or cannot locate your application number, click "I Do NOT know the Application Number." You will then need to enter your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth.

Generally, there are three types of responses to your ESTA application:

Authorization Approved - Your travel authorization has been approved, and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Travel Not Authorized - You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
Authorization Pending - Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will usually be available within 72 hours.

I got denied, what do I do?

If you receive a Travel Not Authorized response to your travel authorization application but wish to continue with your travel plans, please visit The Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa.

Can I still enter the US even though I got denied in the ESTA?

If you get a proper B1/ B2 visa, then you can enter the US. However, a visa doesn’t guarantee that you are admissible to the United States. Here’s the article on how to get it.

If I get approved, does it mean I can enter the US for sure?

If your electronic travel authorization is approved, this approval establishes that you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not guarantee that you are admissible to the United States.

I want to go to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, do I need an ESTA?

The countries or territories below do not need a US Visa or ESTA for 45 days when visiting Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands:

Australia
Brunei
China (for Northern Marina Islands only)
Hong Kong*
Japan
Malaysia
Nauru

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Russia
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan*
United Kingdom

Other countries under the Visa Waiver Program need an ESTA.

I want to go to Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, do I need an ESTA?

Yes, ESTA is required for travel to these locations.

I want to visit US by land, do I need ESTA?

If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), and you enter the U.S. by land from Mexico or Canada, ESTA is not required.

How long is my ESTA valid?

Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first or unless revoked.

My ESTA expires while I’m still in US, what will I do?

Don’t worry, if your ESTA expires while in the U.S. it will not affect your departure.

When should I get a new ESTA?

A new ESTA authorization is required if:

You are issued a new passport,
You change your name (first and/or last)
You change your gender
Your country of citizenship changes
Your circumstances change, e.g., you are convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or you develop a contagious disease.

This article would help you in your application for ESTA to the USA. It’s just easy as putting your information and waiting for 3 days to know the answer. You’re so lucky as a lot of other citizens, like me – a Philippine passport holder; need to apply for a visa. May these tips make your life easier, and I hope you are excited about your travels to the US. Happy Travels!

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