ESTA APPLICATION
For your Trip to the USA!
ESTA Application
For Your Trip
to the USA!
ESTA Visa in 3 steps:
What is the ESTA Visa?
ESTA is the official travel authorization for the USA and is part of the Visa Waiver Program.
The term stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization and it allows you to stay in the USA for a maximum of 90 days without a visa! You can only apply for ESTA online.
ESTA Check - Do you qualify?
Are you planning a trip to the USA and would like to avoid the complicated and lengthy visa applications?
Then you should definitely check whether you qualify for visa-free entry with the Visa Waiver Program and apply for an ESTA Visa!
Benefits of our ESTA Service
If you submit your ESTA application to ESTA-Online, you are not only on the safe side, you can also benefit from numerous advantages!
Among other things, we offer you a convenient form with helpful tips. In addition, each ESTA Visa application will be manually checked for completeness and accuracy. In case there are any irregularities, we will contact you immediately and thus avoid an unnecessary denial of your application!
We will then send you your ESTA confirmation in PDF format by e-mail, so that you can either print it out or show it at the airport using your mobile phone.
* Applies when booking the Premium and First Class service.
How much does an ESTA cost?
Since September 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been charging $14 for an ESTA application. Travellers from countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program are required to pay these ESTA costs for each application.
The fee is not charged per entry, but per ESTA application. The costs remain the same for children, students, pensioners, etc.
If you decide to use our helpful service and apply for your US entry permit on ESTA-Online.org, we will charge you a fee starting at 39,90€, depending on the selected package, which already includes the fee of 14 US dollars to the US authorities.
However, in case of a rejection, we will refund you the full amount when booking our Premium or First class service!
How can I pay for my ESTA application?
If you decide to submit your ESTA application to the official US authorities, you can only pay via credit card, e.g. MasterCard, Visa, or American Express, or via PayPal. Payment by invoice is not possible! Without successful receipt of payment your application will not be processed.
You do not have a credit card nor a PayPal account? Absolutely no problem! Next to further payment options, we do offer numerous other advantages when applying for an ESTA with us!
Do I need an ESTA if I have a valid visa?
Whether an ESTA is required for entering the USA depends on what kind of valid visa you have and if it matches the purpose of your stay in the USA. Applying for an ESTA, for example, when you have a valid B2 visa is unnecessary because in both cases, you are traveling to the USA as a tourist. The purpose is therefore the same.
On the other hand, people who have been issued a US work visa like the E1 or E2 and want to travel to the USA as tourists. Despite a valid E1 or E2 visa, the visa holder must apply for an ESTA because the purpose of their stay is different.
As stated on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website:
Quote
"Individuals who possess a valid visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose for which it was issued."
How long before travel to the USA does ESTA have to be applied for?
You must apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before your flight to the USA. However, we recommend 6 - 8 weeks prior to entry, as you will still have the opportunity to apply for a US visa in case of an ESTA refusal.
How long is an ESTA valid?
ESTA is valid for a maximum of two years or until the expiry date of the passport, whichever comes first. During this time you can enter the USA without a visa for a maximum of 90 days (even several times!). An ESTA cannot be extended, but must be applied for again and again.
Can I do ESTA at the airport?
You can apply for ESTA online and with your mobile phone, so that you can also submit your ESTA application at the airport if necessary. Please note, however, that the processing time can take up to 72 hours and you may not receive your ESTA in time.
When do I need to update my ESTA?
Only the e-mail address as well as the address in the USA can be subsequently updated in an ESTA. If other information such as your last name or passport number changes, you must always apply for a new ESTA. However, an ESTA is generally valid for a maximum of two years.
Is ESTA a US visa?
No, an ESTA is an entry permit that allows you to travel to the USA without a visa. You can only apply for this online. If you do not meet the ESTA requirements, you will have to apply for a US visa, which not only takes longer, but is also more expensive.
Here you will find an overview of the most important differences between an ESTA and a US visa:
|
|
ESTA |
US VISA |
|
Application |
Via online form |
Fill in the application form + |
|
Approval |
In 72h max. |
15 - 30 days |
|
Cost |
from 39,90 |
from 150€ |
|
Travel time |
90 days |
180 days |
|
Suitable for |
Tourists |
Students |
Can I travel to the USA without ESTA?
You can only enter the USA without ESTA if you have a corresponding US visa or a Green Card. Visa-free entry with ESTA is also only available to citizens of countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program.
How do I find out if my ESTA is still valid?
If your ESTA is still valid, you can find out by checking the status online using the application number or your passport details. In general, however, an ESTA is valid for 2 years or until the expiry date of the passport, whichever comes first.
How often can I travel to the USA with ESTA?
How often you can travel to the USA with your ESTA is quickly answered: In general, ESTA is valid for two years and within this time you may enter the USA as often as you like for a maximum of 90 days at a time.
However, the final decision whether or not you can enter the USA is made by the US border officials. If they doubt that you really want to enter the country only as a tourist, you can be turned away at the border. This can happen if you try to re-enter the USA immediately after a 90-day stay. We recommend an interval of at least three months, but unfortunately there is no exact rule.
Is ESTA mandatory?
ESTA is mandatory for all USA travelers who do not have a corresponding US Visa or Green Card. However, only citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program of the USA can apply for ESTA. All others must apply for a visa before entering the USA.
