ESTA Application for Citizens of United Kingdom

22 Aug 10:37

Do U.K. Citizens Have to Apply for an ESTA?

ESTA is a system that requires all passengers of any age to apply for entry into the United States. The Electric System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, must be applied for online. If you do not get an ESTA before coming to the United States, you will be denied boarding.

How Can U.K. Citizens Apply for an ESTA?

Because the ESTA application is only available online, it is not possible to apply via phone, mail, or fax. When applying for an ESTA, make sure you have a send/receivable email address, a passport with a valid expiration date, and a credit card. ESTA can be used on a laptop computer or a smartphone.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?


Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

ESTA Requirements for U.K. Citizens

When applying for an ESTA, citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland must fulfill all of the standards listed below.

  • Within 90 days after arriving in the U.S.
  • The objective of the travel to the United States is either sightseeing or short-term business.
  • Maintain a valid passport with an IC tip.
  • There have been no major criminal records in the past, and/or you have not been infected with a certain contagious disease or sickness.
  • Not to work or stay in the United States for an extended period of time, and to return to the visitor’s home country once the purpose of the visit has been fulfilled.

ESTA FAQ for U.K. Citizens


What is ESTA?

ESTA is a passport control system that is required for travellers to the United States for a brief duration of sightseeing or business. ESTA applicants must apply online, including information about themselves, their ability to go abroad, and their health status.
Although citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland are not needed to seek a visa when visiting the United States for sightseeing or a brief time of business, an ESTA application is required. ESTA is required for tourists who want to stay in the United States for more than 90 days. Those who want to stay in the United States for more than 90 days for employment, study abroad, or other reasons must apply for a visa rather than an ESTA.

For more information

5.Does a baby need an ESTA to travel to the U.S.?

All visitors to the United States without a visa, regardless of age, must apply for and acquire ESTA authorisation. ESTA authorization is essential for all family members or groups visiting the United States, including minors, preschool children, and newborns, therefore make sure to apply for ESTA for everyone in your group, including youngsters. Regardless of age, an ESTA is valid for two years.

What is the Difference between ESTA and Visa?

ESTA, or the Electric System for Travel Authorization, is a system designed as part of passport control that differs from visas in that entrance is assured under certain restrictions. Obtaining an ESTA does not ensure entrance into the United States. A passport control official at the arrival airport makes the decision for entrance into the United States. ESTA is necessary for persons with foreign nationality who seek to remain in the United States.
within 90 days for purposes such as sightseeing, etc. However, a visa is necessary for people who desire to stay in the United States for more than 90 days, and the system is primarily for those visiting for business or studying abroad. Before you travel, choose your stay time and purpose, and then apply for acquisition of whatever fits your needs.

For further information

How Long is an ESTA Valid?

The ESTA is valid for two years from the day you are granted travel authorisation. If the existing passport’s expiration date is within the next two years, the ESTA expires at the same time as the passport.
When applying for an ESTA, make sure to verify the expiration date of your passport.

For further information

I Have a Criminal Record, but can I Apply for an ESTA

Criminal history is one of the questions on the ESTA questionnaire. Those who have committed the following crime(s) and have a criminal record are not eligible to apply for an ESTA and travel to the United States.

  • Murder, unintentional homicide, major assault, abduction, and repeated vicious traffic violations are examples of crimes that cause harm to others.
  • Arson, robbery, theft, fraud, and receiving stolen items are examples of crimes that deprive others of their property.
  • Tax evasion, bribery, false evidence, and drug offenses can cause significant harm to government officials.

Those who have been arrested for the crimes stated above must respond “Yes” to the question.
Those who answer “Yes” will not be granted ESTA to travel to the United States; instead, find the requisite visa for your purpose of visit to the United States. Those who have previously been regarded to have an unlawful stay in the United States or any other country, as well as forced repatriation, are ineligible to apply for an ESTA.
Those having a criminal record of forced repatriation would also be denied visa entry to the United States.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?


Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

How Can I Check the Status of My ESTA?

Only individuals who applied for ESTA using our website can see their current application status and registration information.
To verify the status of an application, enter the application ID by clicking “Confirm the situation” at the top of the site.

  • Enter the application ID (33-digit alphanumeric) you obtained after completing the application, and then click “Check”.
  • When you finish the application, you will receive an email with your application ID from us (ESTA Online Center).
  • For 90 days from the date of application, you can search by application ID.

Is ESTA Required Even for Transit in the U.S. on the Way to the Other Country?

For the transit/transfer, ESTA must also be present at the U.S. airport.
Even a brief transit/transfer via the United States to another nation is considered a “staying period in the United States.”
Apply for an ESTA if you are transiting or transferring in the United States to your final destination country.

For further information

Do Infants and Minors Also Need ESTA?

All travelers, regardless of age, must get an ESTA. Because ESTA applications for pre-school children, including newborns and minors, are necessary, please complete one for each member of the traveling party.
In the instance of a juvenile going to the United States by himself/herself, with relatives other than his/her guardians, or with an adult(s) not related by blood, the guardian’s travel written approval may be required.

“Template for guardian’s written consent for a minor traveling to the U.S.“.

What is Visa Waiver Program?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is the original immigration control system of the United States, allowing visitors to stay in the country without getting a visa if they arrive within 90 days.
VWP is restricted to particular nations, and inhabitants of the United Kingdom and Ireland have been able to access the program since 1988.
Although going to the United States without a visa within 90 days is permitted by filing for an ESTA, passengers must fulfill the three requirements listed below in order to travel via VWP.

  1. The goal of the trip is either sightseeing or short-term business.
  2. A boarding permit is required for the return path or the following destination.
  3. A valid passport is required.

For more information about VWP

Notified as “Travel Authorization Declined” from ESTA. Is There Any Other System Available to Travel to the U.S.?

Those who got a “Travel Authorization Declined” notice as a consequence of their ESTA application are unable to travel to the United States using ESTA and may consider applying for a visa.
Visa applications are handled by the US embassy and consulate.
Although meeting the standards allows for visa issuance, persons who have been afflicted with a certain contagious illness or have been subjected to forced repatriation in the past are unable to apply for a visa.
Several document submissions and an interview with the Consulate are expected as part of the visa application procedure. After acquiring a visa, a specific trip plan to the United States might be developed.

Is ESTA Necessary for Traveling to Guam and/or Saipan?

For citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland, an ESTA application is necessary to go to Hawaii, but not to the Northern Mariana Islands, such as Guam and Saipan, where entry without an ESTA is authorized.
Because travel to Guam and Saipan is covered by the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program (Guam-CNMI VWP), no ESTA is necessary.
Instead, the emigration and immigration card (I-736/I94) supplied on the airplane on the route to the destination must be filled out and signed.
When going to Guam and/or Saipan through the Guam-CNMI VWP, the available stay term is no more than 45 days; however, individuals who have an ESTA are allowed to stay for up to 90 days.
In addition, an ESTA dedicated lane has been established at Guam International Airport for people who have obtained ESTA for seamless immigration procedures.
Although an ESTA application is not necessary for travel to Guam, there are advantages to having one.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?


Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!