Applying For ESTA
The U.S. Government recommends that travellers go online to submit an authorization request three days (72 hours) before travelling to the United States. This is not a requirement, and the majority of applications are approved in less than one minute. However, if a traveller is not eligible for visa-free travel, he or she will need to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which is a substantially lengthier process that may require an interview with a U.S. Consular officer. As a result, opponents claim the new rules will delay last-minute business travel.
Each travel authorization under ESTA can be valid for up to two years. However, a Visa Waiver Program traveler must obtain a new ESTA authorization if he or she is issued a new passport, or changes his or her name, gender or country of citizenship. In addition, a traveler must obtain a new ESTA authorization if any answer to the ESTA application eligibility questions changes.
An ESTA is available to, and required of, citizens of countries taking part in the Visa Waiver Program, which are as follows: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. This list comprises the member states of the European Union (except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland and Romania), the member states of the EFTA, the microstates enclaved in the European-Union (except Vatican City), five countries in Asia (Brunei, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan) and two countries in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).
Entry under the Visa Waiver Program is only valid for a combined maximum stay in the USA and its surrounding countries of ninety days. If a longer stay is intended, a visa is required.
Read more about this topic: Electronic System For Travel Authorization
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