Published on : 15 May 20203 min reading time

Going to the United States is fascinating for travel lovers looking for an escape. Before all adventures in the land of freedom, the land of contrasts, it is advisable to prepare well in advance of the trip. Indeed, the necessary formalities are often complex compared to the procedures to follow and the files to provide. One should be careful. You should take into account all the documents to be provided in order to be allowed to admire the buildings of New York, the beaches of Miami and the casinos of Las Vegas. A travel authorization, called ESTA, must be requested.

What is the ESTA?

ESTA, Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is an authorization allowing travelers from some countries to cross American soil without a visa. Obtaining an ESTA is essential for a short stay of at least 90 days. In recent years, the United States has implemented a travel authorization program in order to protect the security of the country as well as to facilitate the entry of tourists into the United States. This system helps authorities to easily identify tourists at risk. Currently, 38 countries are beneficiaries of this program, including France, Switzerland, Italy and Belgium. For nationals of these countries, all they have to do is apply for ESTA to make their dreams of going to the United States come true. The ESTA authorization is valid for 2 years, for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Steps to follow to acquire the ESTA

Obtaining ESTA authorisation is fairly straightforward. However, it is necessary to be well informed before filling in the form. The required conditions must be met. The reason for the visit should be tourism or work. As far as studies are concerned, other types of authorisations are required. It is also necessary to check your passport carefully. It must be valid and current. The process of obtaining ESTA authorisation is done online by filling in the form and paying the sum of 12 to 80 euros.

The formalities and validity of the ESTA

After reviewing your application, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can authenticate your ESTA authorization request. On this basis, you can prepare your luggage for boarding in the United States. This travel authorization is, as pointed out, valid for two years. In this case, you could make multiple entries into your dream country. However, it should be noted that the maximum duration of each stay should not exceed 90 days in the United States. This time limit has been set by the local authorities and all travellers must respect this limit otherwise you risk being in violation and prosecuted by law. If you are unable to fill out the form yourself, you can contact the appropriate agencies.