What is an ESTA and when do you need to apply for one?

It is sometimes mistaken for a visa,  but it is actually a type of travel authorisation that will allow you to travel to the US without the traditional visa, and avoid some of the lengthy waiting times, cost and inconvenience that comes with a traditional visa application.

The ESTA is not a visa, it makes short-term travel easier

Although you do have to apply for the ESTA, and pay a small fee, it is definitely not the same thing.

Visas are more flexible, in terms of what you can do while in the US, although less flexible as an application process. Typically they are needed for the more complicated and longer term travel plans, such as working in the US, or getting married to a US citizen. And there are many different types depending on what your intentions are. You would need to apply for the visa that matches your explicit purpose for being in the US.

Because of this complexity, the vetting process is mostly manual, and the application can take a lot longer. The waiting time ican be weeks, and the cost is higher. It will also usually involve making appointments with the US embassy or consulate, and the submission of evidential documentation with the application, and additional scrutiny.

It is a lot more difficult to arrange, you may even need to hire an immigration lawyer, and simply not suitable for the more casual traveller.

In what ways is the ESTA different from a visa?

The ESTA application process is different. It is not manual and the entire transaction is carried out online. It is part of the US Visa Waiver Programme that allows travel to citizens of certain countries to the US, for example for tourism or business trips. Again it can only be used for these specific purposes, which also can include medical procedures, short-term studies and transit through the country.

But it is restricted. The maximum length of time you can stay is 90 days, and it cannot be extended in any way. You also can’t apply for a different type of travel authorisation once you have arrived in the US. You would have to return to your home country and apply for a traditional visa via the embassy or consulate.

However, the ESTA does last up to two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first, and during that time there is no restriction on how many times you can visit the United States. The aim is to make short term travel easier, particularly for short business trips and vacations.

What countries participate in the ESTA scheme

In all there are 38 countries that take part in the US Visa Waiver Programme. A citizen of any of these can simply apply online for the ESTA quickly and easily.

It includes Spain and many other eurozone countries, as well as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and many more. If you are unsure if you are eligible for an ESTA you can check easily online.

How long will it take to receive a reply to my ESTA application?

When you submit the application form online, it is completed there and then immediately. For the majority of applications you should receive your ESTA within a couple of minutes.

However, visa advisors do check applications, to make sure there are no errors or omissions. Some of these checks are done online, and you should receive the ESTA within 24 hours if it does not appear immediately.

However, make a mistake of miss out some information and you could find the application rejected. If you are uncertain about how to do it, you can always find help to make sure you get it right first time.