What is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?

The Visa Waiver Program has strengthened visa-free travel requirements to enhance the security of travel to the United States. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries will continue to be eligible to travel without a visa, but they will be required to obtain an approved travel authorization before traveling to the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have provided a secure, public website with an automated form that you or a third party can fill out to apply for a travel authorization. Once you enter the required biographical, travel, and payment information on the secure website, your application will be processed by the system to determine whether you are eligible for visa-free travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. The system will provide you with an automated response, and the carrier will electronically verify with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that you have an approved travel authorization before boarding your flight.

The Electronic Travel Authorization System (ESTA) is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any risk to law enforcement or security.

ESTA approval entitles a traveler to board an aircraft for travel to the United States under the VWP. The private carrier must be a carrier that has signed the visa waiver program. See the list of carriers that have signed the program. CBP recommends that you apply for an ESTA at the time you book your trip, but at least 72 hours before boarding.

ESTA is not a visa. It does not meet the legal requirements to serve in place of a U.S. visa when a visa is required. Travelers with a valid U.S. visa may enter the United States on this visa for the purpose for which it was issued. Travelers traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for ESTA. Just as a valid visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, an ESTA-approved visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States.

The ESTA became mandatory on January 12, 2009. VWP applicants are required to fill out a blue customs declaration upon arrival in the United States, whether or not they have ESTA approval. VWP travelers are no longer required to fill out an I-94W green card.

Approved ESTA applications are valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and for several trips to the United States without having to reapply for another ESTA. When traveling to the U.S. with an approved ESTA, you can stay in the country no more than 90 days at a time – and there must be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP officer doesn’t think you’re trying to live here. There are no set requirements as to how long you must wait between visits.

Travelers whose ESTA applications are approved but whose passports will expire in less than two years will receive an ESTA valid until their passport expires.

A new ESTA approval is required if:

  • You get a new passport,
  • You have changed your first name (first and/or last name)
  • You change your gender (ESTA currently does not offer to choose gender X on the application. It is recommended that the traveler choose the option they are most comfortable with. ESTA will not refuse based solely on the gender selected on the application).
  • Your country of citizenship changes
  • Your circumstances have changed, for example, you have been convicted of a crime against morals or you have developed a contagious disease. Such a change may require you to obtain a visa to travel to the United States. You must reapply and your application must reflect the change in your circumstances or you may be denied entry upon arrival in the United States. For more information on other undesirable circumstances, see the U.S. Department of State website

DHS recommends that you apply for your ESTA as soon as you know you will be traveling to the United States under the VWP. If your ESTA expires while you are in the United States, it will not affect your departure.