Non-immigrant Visas

ESTA Frequently Asked Questions

• I have a valid B1/B2 visa.  Do I also need to fill out an ESTA?
• I am arriving at a U.S. land port of entry do I need an EStA or visa?
• What are the  ESTA requirements for Greek citizens?
• I submitted my ESTA, but I have not received a response or e-mail.  What should I do?
• How can I verify the approval/status of my ESTA?
• I have lost my ESTA application number what can I do?
• What should I present at the airport?
• How do I pay the ESTA fee?
• What is the fee for ESTA?
• How long are ESTA approvals valid?
• What types of privacy protection exist on the website?
• If I have a valid ESTA for which I paid no fee, do I have to re-register now that the new fee has gone into effect?
• Is an ESTA approval like a visa?

I have a valid B1/B2 visa. Do I also need to fill out an ESTA?

No. You may travel to the United State with your valid visa without any other procedure/s.

I am arriving at a U.S. land port of entry do I need an ESTA or visa?

A completed Form (I-94W), Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record (green form), is required from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) visitors to the United States at land ports of entry. Each VWP applicant for admission is exempt from a visitor’s visa (B1/B2) if he or she is a citizen of any of the VWP countries (VWP FAQs). Currently, authorization for travel under the VWP via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is not required if arriving at a U.S. land port of entry.

Upon arrival, the VWP applicant for admission will complete Form I-94W, including the admissibility questions. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will stamp the applicant’s completed Form I-94W, the passport and the CBP Customs declaration, and will return the passport to the traveler.

What are the ESTA requirements for Greek citizens?

The traveler must:

1. Have a valid Greek passport.
2. Be traveling only for tourist or business purposes that will not include paid work.
3. Only stay in the United States up to 90 days.
4. Possess a return ticket at the time of entry to the United States.
5. Obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA electronic system at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. (The application for the ESTA should be submitted at least 72 hours before the travel.)
6. Pay an amount of $14. The electronic application system will prompt the applicant to the pay online using a credit or cash card. The cash card needs to be either VISA or MASTERCARD. (All ESTA payments are made online.)
7. Travels on an approved carrier (See the approved carriers list) if arriving by air or sea.

I submitted my ESTA but I have not received a response or e-mail.  What should I do?

The system by default is designed to display the approval of your ESTA as a message on your screen: “Your travel authorization has been approved. You may travel to the United States.” You will not receive a separate response or e-mail.

Please print this screen/page which includes the ESTA application number as well as the expiration date of the approval.

How can I verify the approval/status of my ESTA?

Please visit the following site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/, fill out the empty fields under “Update or Check the Status of a Previously Submitted Authorization to Travel to the United States,” and click the “Update or Check Status” button at the bottom of the screen.

I have lost my ESTA application number what can I do?

If you received approval and did not print out or write down your application number, which is needed in order to update your application or check your status, you may retrieve the application number through the ESTA website by clicking Retrieve Application Number and entering the applicants name, date of birth, passport number and passport issuing country.

Note: The applicants name must match exactly to the Passport, make sure that you enter your details into the correct box before submitting your application. For example, “Family Name” should be your last name and “First (given) Name” is your first name.

What should I present at the airport?

You are not required to present a printout of your application number to board your flight. That number is transmitted electronically to the airlines. However, it is important to print a copy of your approved application as it contains your ESTA number that may be needed for reference purposes. Some airlines require the printout upon check-in, please check with your respective airline.

On the day of your travel, you need to present at the airport your valid passport, your return ticket and we recommend to present also the printed copy of your approved ESTA in order to avoid possible delays or problems.

How do I pay the ESTA fee?

At this time, payment is required through the following credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Payments can also be made with a debit card that holds the Visa or MasterCard symbol. Please check with your bank on the compatibility of your debit card. We are continuing to explore other payment options. The ESTA registration form currently in use will walk users through the payment process.

You may also have a third party, such as a relative or travel agent, pay the associated fees for each application. CBP is not responsible for third party fees. Your application will not be submitted for processing until all payment information is received.

NOTE: A single payment may not be processed for multiple applications. Each application requires an individual payment before the application can be processed.

If your system "timed out" during the step 4 of the application payment process; you have 7 days to return to your Application for payment. Please go to ESTA and "update/check status" . Once you retrieve your ESTA; "payment required" message should appear and click on the "pay" button to begin payment. If you do not pay within 7 days; you will need to begin a brand new ESTA.

What is the fee for ESTA?

As of September 8, 2010, a fee of $14 is required by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. The fee is comprised of two parts:

• Processing Charge – All applicants requesting an electronic travel authorization are charged for the processing of the application. This part is $4.00. 
• Authorization charge – If your application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, an additional $10.00 will be charged to your credit card. If your electronic travel authorization is denied, you are only charged the $4 for the processing of your application.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is not responsible for any additional fees that may be charged by your credit card company for the transaction.

How long are ESTA approvals valid?

Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first*. This means that as long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period. You may update your travel information; however this information is optional and is not required.

If your ESTA expires while in the US it will not affect your departure.

Note: Is it important to PRINT a copy of the document for your records. The printout is not required upon arrival into the United States, as the officers have the information electronically. Some airlines require the printout upon check-in, please check with your respective airline.

Receiving ESTA authorization does not mean you may stay in the U.S. for two years. It only allows you to travel to the U.S. under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which only allows you to stay in the U.S. for 90 days or less. If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

*If you obtain a new passport or change your name, gender or country of citizenship, you will be required to apply for a new travel authorization. This is also required if one of your answers to any of the VWP eligibility questions changes. The associated fee of $14 will be charged for each new application submitted.

If I have a valid ESTA for which I paid no fee, do I have to re-register now that the new fee has gone into effect?

No. The fee is required only for new registrations on or after September 8, 2010. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid for travel through their expiration date.

Is an ESTA approval like a visa?

An ESTA approval is not a visa under U.S. law, nor does it confer the same benefits as a visa.

What types of privacy protection exist on the website?

"Pay.gov" uses advanced encryption to protect transactions while applicants are logged in. When accessing a profile, any account numbers entered will be masked on-screen.