About ESTA - The Electronic System for Travel Authorization
Using ESTA
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is now
live. You can submit your application at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Since 08 September 2010 a fee is charged for Visa Waiver Program travelers.
Before attempting to register under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), please first check your eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
British citizens: please note that from 12 January 2009 all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries - including the UK - will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP. Our Visa section has full details of this on their Visa Waiver Program & ESTA.
If your registration was denied under ESTA please review this information first.
Help & Guides
• How-To (PDF - 1.17mb) Screenshots &
guidance
• Registration
Denied Under ESTA
• Fact Sheet (PDF - 280kb) 2 pages summarizing ESTA
• ESTA
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF - 126kb)
• Consular FAQs on ESTA
• Newlyweds Advised to Avoid Post-Dated Passports if
Travelling to the U.S.
• Privacy
Impact Assessment
(PDF - 322kb)
• System
of Records Notice
(PDF - 122kb)
ESTA news
09 August 2010 - A New Fee for Visa Waiver Program Travelers
25 November 2008 The U.S. Customs & Border Protection has produced a
video which provides an overview of the ESTA program.
[View
video (Windows Media)]
14 January 2009 Making Sure The Honeymoon Isn't Over: Newlyweds Advised to Avoid Post-Dated Passports if Travelling to the U.S.
24 November 2008 ESTA : New Requirements for British Citizens Traveling to the United States (Press release).
24 July 2008 The Electronic System for
Travel Authorization
Jackie Bednarz, Attaché, Department of Homeland
Security, answers frequently-asked questions about ESTA.
All videos are
provided in both Windows-Media (.WMV) and Apple QuickTime (.MOV) format. Windows
users who wish to view the QuickTime versions may need to download and install
Quicktime from
Apple.
A transcript of
the FAQs is available.
|
Complete video (Intro with 7 questions, 7:01min) |
Question 1: What is ESTA? (1:45 min) |
|
Question 2: What about the privacy of my data? (0:56 min)
|
Question 3: What kind of data will ESTA collect? (0:44 min)
|
|
Question 4: What if I need to travel on short notice? (1:20
min) |
Question 5: What if I don't have access to a computer or
internet? (0:44 min) |
|
Question 6: What if my ESTA form isn't approved? (1:14 min)
|
24 June 2008 U.S., United Kingdom Border Agencies Agree to Expedite Travel Between Nations U.S. Customs and Border Protection signed a joint agreement today with the government of the United Kingdom to develop a bilateral pilot program to facilitate travel between the two nations. The International Expedited Traveler Initiative will integrate CBP's Global Entry program with the British registered traveler program.
18 June 2008 United States Plans New Travel Procedures for 27 Countries Beginning January 12, 2009, travelers to the United States from 22 countries in Europe and five in the Asia-Pacific region currently exempt from certain U.S. visa requirements will be using a new online travel authorization process, the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
03 June 2008 Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
03 June 2008 DHS announces
Pre-Travel Authorization program for U.S.-Bound Travelers from Visa Waiver
Countries The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today the
Interim Final Rule for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a
new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program and is required by the
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.
Esta
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Before attempting to register under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), please first check your eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.