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Visa Waiver and ESTA | Visa | Visa Application and DS-160 | Students (High School/University), Interns, Practical Training

Visa Waiver and ESTA

 

What is ESTA?
All citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States without a visa for temporary business or pleasure require an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.  Information on ESTA and how to register is available at  http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/vwp/esta/

I have been issued a visa. Do I need to register with ESTA?
No. If you have a visa, you should not register with ESTA 

I have German and American citizenship. Do I need to register with ESTA?
No. U.S. citizens should not register with ESTA. According to U.S. law, U.S. citizens need to present their U.S. passports when entering the U.S. Dual citizens should take both passports on their travels, as they need to show their German passports when returning to Germany.

Is ESTA a visa?
No. ESTA is a travel authorization, not a visa.

My ESTA registration was denied. Why?
Due to security/privacy laws, U.S. Customs and Border Protection cannot tell individuals the reason for the denial of ESTA authorization. However some of the most common reasons are listed at https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1074/~/esta-application-denied

My visa application was denied. Can I travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program if the purpose of my trip has changed?
No. ESTA will generally be denied if you have previously been refused a visa. You will have to reapply for a visa.

I have unlimited residency permit for Germany. Can I travel Visa Waiver?
No. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits visa free travel to the US if you are a citizen of one the countries participating in the VWP. Information on the Visa Waiver Program is available at http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/vwp/

I want to travel to the U.S. to work as an Au Pair, intern or journalist. I will stay less than 90 days. Do I need a visa?
Yes. If you are coming to the United States to work or study, a visa will be required with few exceptions, even if your stay is less than 90 days and the job is unpaid. Information on temporary work visas is available at http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/niv/visacategories/

Do children under the age of 18 travelling by themselves need written permission from their parents? Which documents should adults carry if they travel with children under the age of 18 or with other people’s children?
Due to the increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and as possible victims of child pornography, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so." While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.(https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/kw/travel%20child)