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ESTA Frequently Asked Questions
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  • Register for ESTA

    Register for ESTA

  • Will registering for ESTA determine my eligibility to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program?

    Will registering for ESTA determine my eligibility to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program?

    • No. ESTA should not be used to determine if a person is qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Only qualified VWP travelers should register under ESTA.

      ESTA provides authorization to qualified VWP travelers to board a carrier, either air or sea, to travel to the United States. Before registering you must determine your eligibility to travel under the VWP; only those qualified to do       so should register.
  • What is the Visa Waiver Program?

    What is the Visa Waiver Program?

    • The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries (including Norway) to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

      VWP travelers are required to apply for authorization through ESTA, are screened at their port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program.

      For more information about the Visa Waiver Program see Embassy VWP information here.
  • How far in advance am I required to submit an application?

    How far in advance am I required to submit an application?

    • It may be done at anytime, but no later than 72 hours before you are due to travel. You are not required to have any firm travel plans before registering and we recommend that you register as soon as you have made reservations or have purchased tickets.

      If authorization to travel is granted it will be valid for travel for two years or until the date on which your passport expires, which ever comes first. It will be valid for multiple visits. Should your itinerary change (address, flight number) you may update the information through the ESTA Web site.
  • What should I do if I have obtained a new passport or have changed my name, date of birth, citizenship or gender, or my eligibility to travel visa free has changed?

    What should I do if I have obtained a new passport or have changed my name, date of birth, citizenship or gender, or my eligibility to travel visa free has changed?

    • If you have obtained a new passport, changed your name, date of birth, citizenship, or gender you are required to apply for new travel authorization.

      You cannot amend your existing registration. If you are no longer eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you will be required to apply for a visa.
  • How long will it take to process the travel authorization?

    How long will it take to process the travel authorization?

    • In most cases the traveler will be provided with an almost immediate determination as to whether or not travel authorization is granted.

      There are three types of responses:
                1.  Authorization Approved
                2.  Authorization Pending; and
                3.  Travel Not Authorized.

      Those applicants who receive an approval are then authorized to board an air or sea carrier under the Visa Waiver Program.

      Applicants who receive an "Authorization Pending" response will need to check the Web site for updates within 72 hours to receive a final response.

      If travel is not authorized, the traveler will be required to apply for a visa.

  • How much does it cost?

    How much does it cost?

    • The price for registering on ESTA is USD 14. Before you begin this application, make sure that you have a credit card available.

      The application will only accept the following credit cards:

      MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover.

      Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration date.
  • Is the ESTA application available in Norwegian?

    Is the ESTA application available in Norwegian?

    • Yes. When you enter the ESTA
      application, choose Norwegian from the options at the top of the
      screen.  However, all responses must be provided in English.
  • I am entering the U.S. by land from Canada or Mexico; do I require travel authorization under ESTA?

    I am entering the U.S. by land from Canada or Mexico; do I require travel authorization under ESTA?

    • No. You will not be required to obtain travel authorization if entering the U.S. by land.
  • I am transiting the U.S.; do I require authorization under ESTA before traveling?

    I am transiting the U.S.; do I require authorization under ESTA before traveling?

    • Yes, you will be required to obtain authorization to travel before boarding the aircraft.
  • I have been arrested and or convicted; can I register under ESTA?

    I have been arrested and or convicted; can I register under ESTA?

    • Only those qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program are eligible to register. If you have been arrested and or convicted, you require a visa in order to travel. Even if your current police report indicates that there is nothing to report because more than five years have passed, this does not apply to U.S law.

      Please note       that minor traffic offenses such as speeding, which did not result in an arrest or conviction, will not prevent a traveler from traveling under the VWP and therefore, will not prevent you from applying to register under ESTA.
  • What information do I need in order to complete the application?

    What information do I need in order to complete the application?

    • You are required to provide the same information as requested on the form I-94W; that is your biographical data including name, birth date, and passport information, as well as travel information such as the flight number and destination address in the United States.

      You are also required to answer Visa Waiver Program eligibility questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, and past history of visa revocation or deportation, amongst others.

      The information must be provided in English. A third party may complete the form on your behalf.
  • I have the Norwegian letters Ø, Å, or Æ in my name. How do I write these letters in ESTA?

    I have the Norwegian letters Ø, Å, or Æ in my name. How do I write these letters in ESTA?

    • You should write your name in the ESTA application as it is written in the machine-readable zone in your passport.
  • Can I apply for travel authorization if I was previously denied entry into or deported from the U.S.?

    Can I apply for travel authorization if I was previously denied entry into or deported from the U.S.?

    • Only those qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program are eligible to register.

      As you have been denied entry into or deported from the U.S., you require a visa in order to travel.
  • Am I required to print the authorization to travel and carry it with me?

    Am I required to print the authorization to travel and carry it with me?

    • No, the airlines and shipping companies will have received confirmation that you are authorized to travel.

      However, you should retain the application number so that you may update your information in the future; if necessary.
  • For how long is travel authorization granted?

    For how long is travel authorization granted?

    • Travel authorization is granted for two years or until the date on which your passport expires, which ever comes first. Once you have completed your registration on-line, you will be provided with the dates during which you may travel to the United States.

      If your original itinerary changes, for example, address in the U.S., flight number, you may update the original record through the ESTA website by following the instructions.

      Should any biographical or passport information change, you will be required to make a new application for travel authorization. If you are no longer eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you will be required to apply for a visa.

      You will require the application number in order to make changes to your original record.
  • I have a valid visa; do I require travel authorization approval under ESTA before traveling?

    I have a valid visa; do I require travel authorization approval under ESTA before traveling?

    • No, this new system applies only to those traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
  • I applied for travel authorization under ESTA but it was denied. What do I do?

    I applied for travel authorization under ESTA but it was denied. What do I do?

  • I have been denied authorization to travel. Is there any point in trying again at a later date?

    I have been denied authorization to travel. Is there any point in trying again at a later date?

    • You may reapply after 24 hours, but unless your circumstances have changed, you will not receive authorization to travel.

      It is important to note that applying with false information could make you permanently ineligible for travel to the U.S.
  • I believe that I was incorrectly denied authorization to travel under ESTA as I have traveled in the past.

    I believe that I was incorrectly denied authorization to travel under ESTA as I have traveled in the past.

    • If you believe that you have been incorrectly denied authorization to travel, you should contact the Department of Homeland Security through their Travel Redress Inquiry Program.

      Further information is available from the Department of Homeland Security's website at www.dhs.gov

      Please note that there are no guarantees that a request for redress through DHS TRIP will resolve the issue and the Embassy is unable to provide information about ESTA denials or resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial.
  • I have received a message "authorized pending"; what happens next?

    I have received a message "authorized pending"; what happens next?

    • You should receive a response within 72 hours of you submitting the information. You should check the website for updates.

      If you attempt to travel without authorization to do so, you may be denied boarding by the airline or shipping company or entry into the United States.
  • I made a mistake and submitted incorrect information; what can I do?

    I made a mistake and submitted incorrect information; what can I do?

    • If the application was approved, you may submit amended information such as changes to your travel itinerary - change of address; flight number.

      If you provided incorrect passport or biographic information or information relating to your eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver Program - arrests/convictions/deportation/medical ineligibility, you will be required to submit a new application.
  • I need to travel to the US urgently and do not have time to request travel authorization; what do I do?

    I need to travel to the US urgently and do not have time to request travel authorization; what do I do?

    • VWP travelers entering the United States by air or sea are required to obtain travel authorization under ESTA before boarding the carrier.

      It is recommended that you register no later than 72 hours before your travel. However, the system does accommodate last minute and emergency travelers. You should go on-line and register as soon as possible.

      If you do not receive authorization in time to travel, or authorization is denied, you will be required to apply for a visa.
  • I was denied approval to travel and I need to travel urgently; can I obtain an emergency appointment?

    I was denied approval to travel and I need to travel urgently; can I obtain an emergency appointment?

  • If I receive authorization to travel, does that mean I can enter the country?

    If I receive authorization to travel, does that mean I can enter the country?

    • Approval only authorizes a traveler to board an air or sea carrier (plane or boat) to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program; it does not guarantee entry.

      That decision can only be made by the immigration official at the Port of Entry in the same way that travelers currently entering the U.S. with a visa are subject to inspection.
  • What are the advantages of doing this; isn't it easier to get a visa?

    What are the advantages of doing this; isn't it easier to get a visa?

    • No. Obtaining travel authorization, for most travelers, will be simple and easy.

      Obtaining a visa, however, typically requires an appointment, travel to the Embassy/Consulate, an interview with a consular officer, processing time, and the payment of a fee (currently $140).
  • Will I still be required to complete the form I-94W?

    Will I still be required to complete the form I-94W?

    • Approval to travel under ESTA will eventually eliminate the requirement that the traveler complete the I-94W form.
  • I am traveling under NATO travel orders; am I required to register under ESTA before boarding the carrier?

    I am traveling under NATO travel orders; am I required to register under ESTA before boarding the carrier?

    • ESTA applies only to those traveling to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

      If you are traveling on NATO travel orders, you will not be required to register.

Register for ESTA