ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an online system between Visa Waiver Countries and the United States. For ESTA, there is no physical forms to print and you do not have to go in person to a U.S. embassy or consulate for an interview, unlike visas. The ESTA Program is, as the name suggests, “Travel Authorization” to the United States.
According to recent statistics published by the Department of Homeland Security, over 99% of all ESTA applicants are approved within 5 seconds. If you fall within the 1% of denials, you will have to apply for a visa, which is a considerably longer process than ESTA’s “5 seconds.”
An important note, if someone already holds a valid U.S. visitor visa, then ESTA should not be applied for because travel authorization has already been granted. ESTA is also unavailable under the following situations:
Citizens or nationals of the following countries * are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP, unless citizens of one of these countries are also a national of Iraq, Iran, Syria, or Sudan.
Andorra | Hungary | Norway |
Australia | Iceland | Portugal |
Austria | Ireland | San Marino |
Belgium | Italy | Singapore |
Brunei | Japan | Slovakia |
Chile | Latvia | Slovenia |
Czech Republic | Liechtenstein | South Korea |
Denmark | Lithuania | Spain |
Estonia | Luxembourg | Sweden |
Finland | Malta | Switzerland |
France | Monaco | Taiwan * |
Germany | Netherlands | United Kingdom** |
Greece | New Zealand |
**To be eligible to travel under the VWP, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Fickey Martinez Law Firm at (910) 526-0066 or email us at attorney@fickeymartinezlaw.com.
Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
The post What is ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program? appeared first on Fickey Martinez Law Firm.
(910) 526-0066
13252 Garden Grove Blvd.
Suite 204-106
Garden Grove, CA 92843
DISCLAIMER – The information does not constitute legal advice and please be aware that neither this website nor the use of information from this website creates an attorney-client relationship.
© 2024 Fickey Martinez Law Firm. All Rights Reserved.
This website has been built to be accessible for all users. If you experience any difficulty in accessing this website, please contact us for assistance.