USA Immigration: ESTA – How to Obtain the Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United States?

What Is ESTA?

The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is an electronic travel authorisation system allowing foreign travellers to legally enter the United States for tourism or business stays of less than 90 days. This programme is part of the Visa Waiver System and is managed by the U.S. authorities to strengthen border protection and security. The national scheme aims to facilitate visitor entry while ensuring a high level of safety.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for an ESTA?

This electronic travel authorisation is reserved for foreign travellers holding nationalities participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

Germany	Estonia	Liechtenstein	Czech Republic
Andorra	Finland	Lithuania	United Kingdom*
Australia	France	Luxembourg	Saint Martin
Autria	Greece	Malta	Singapore
Belgium	Hungary	Monaco	Slovakia
Brunei	Ireland	New-Zealand	Slovenia
Chile	Iceland	Norway	Sweden
South Korea	Israel	Netherlands	Switzerland
Croatia	Italy	Poland	Taiwan
Denmark	Japan	Portugal
Spain	Latvia	Qatar	Roumania**

* British citizens eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) include those with permanent residence rights in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
** In March 2025, the US government suspended Romania’s inclusion in the VWP to conduct a more detailed review of its eligibility, aiming to ensure compliance with security requirements.

Travelers of other nationalities must obtain a visa before travelling to the USA: a B1 visa for business trips or a B2 visa for tourism, directly from the US Consulate or Embassy.

How to Obtain an ESTA?

The application is entirely personal and must be completed exclusively online on the official United States consular services website. The process takes approximately twenty minutes on average and requires at least the following documents and information:

• Online application form
• Valid electronic passport number (valid for at least 6 months after the departure date)
• Valid email address
• Full contact details (postal address and telephone number)
• Emergency contact details for the traveller (phone and email)
• Online payment method (Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Discover, or PayPal) to cover government fees. The official ESTA fee is USD 21 (as of 31/12/2024)

How long does it take to process an ESTA application?

On average, an ESTA application is approved within 72 hours of submission, but it is advisable to apply as soon as possible once travel has been confirmed.

An electronic travel authorisation (linked to the passport number) is then sent to the email address provided when the online application was made.

In very rare cases, it may happen that the 72-hour deadline has passed without any response from the US authorities. You should therefore first check the status of your application on the official website by clicking on ‘CHECK ESTA STATUS’ and then ‘CHECK INDIVIDUAL STATUS’. Alternatively, you can contact the Washington office directly on 00 1 202 325 8000.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

What to do if you are refused?

Some foreign travellers, even from countries eligible for visa waiver, may have their online application refused. In this case, it will be necessary to submit a B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) visa application with an interview in person at the American consulate in the country of departure.

This is particularly the case for people who have travelled to or resided in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Libya, Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Cuba.

These consular applications can take a long time to process, so it is advisable to apply for an ESTA as soon as possible in order to anticipate any refusal and to have enough time to complete the visa application formalities.

How do I present an ESTA at customs when entering the United States?

The ESTA is linked directly to a passport number and is visible in the immigration officers’ system. It is therefore only necessary to present a valid passport at customs.

It is not an official document to be printed and presented at customs. It is therefore vital to read over the information given when applying for an ESTA online (particularly the passport number, paying attention to the difference between the ‘o’ and the zeros and the “I” and ‘L’).

On the other hand, we advise you to print out the e-mail you receive confirming that your ESTA has been issued in order to :

• keep your file number
• know the expiry date
• have a written record to guard against any difficulties when boarding or entering the United States.

What is the validity of the ESTA?

The ESTA is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires.

Please note that each stay in the USA must not exceed 90 days, and a ‘reasonable’ period of time must be allowed between the two trips to avoid any suspicion as to the purpose and nature of the stay in the USA.

However, it is necessary to reapply for an ESTA for the following reasons:

• Change of passport (expiry, loss, theft, etc.)
• Change of name (first name and/or surname)
• Change of gender
• Change of nationality
• Change of personal situation (e.g. conviction in the country of residence)

How do I find my ESTA?

As the ESTA is valid for two years, you may need to check the expiry date to make sure you can travel to the USA, but you can no longer find the confirmation email you received. Don’t panic, you can find this information online on the official US immigration services website by clicking on the link ‘CHECK ESTA STATUS’ then ‘CHECK INDIVIDUAL STATUS’ and filling in the requested identity information.

Security and travel insurance: essential precautions

Before travelling to the USA, it is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance covering medical expenses, emergency assistance and protection of identity documents. The American health system is very expensive, so good cover can help avoid unexpected expenses.

In the case of urgent treatment not provided for in the USA during a short stay, it is possible to claim reimbursement for part of the treatment provided on your return to France. You need to apply for this on the Ameli website, under the heading ‘My procedures’ and then ‘Request reimbursement for treatment abroad’. You will then be asked to prepare all the documents justifying the treatment received. After examining the file, the French health insurance company may accept or refuse to reimburse the costs incurred. If the treatment can be covered, it will be reimbursed in accordance with the terms and rates laid down by French legislation, up to the limit of the costs actually incurred. Hence the importance of having additional private insurance.

In addition, as border security measures have been stepped up, travellers are advised to find out about security and insurance formalities before they leave.