Apply for an ESTA to transit the USA
Not everyone arriving on American soil travels to visit the United States. Some passengers get off the plane to transit to another destination. This may be the case for you. The U.S. Border Service will ask you for a transit authorization. You don’t necessarily need a visa to transit through a U.S. port or airport. You can apply for an ESTA travel authorization.
What is transit in the United States?
You may not understand what transit really means. It’s a stopover on U.S. territory without actually staying there, since that’s not the main purpose of your trip to the USA.
A stopover, or transit, is not defined by a specific duration, but cannot last too long. Transit can range from one hour to 6 hours, leaving you free to explore the airport.
ESTA travel authorization for transit through the United States
A stopover in the U.S. is not the same as a stay in the U.S., which leads some travelers not to seek authorization from the U.S. authorities. This is a serious mistake. Transit is entry into the U.S. and, as such, is subject to authorization. Depending on whether or not you meet the conditions, transit through the USA is made possible by an ESTA or a USA visa.
The online ESTA application for transit or travel to the USA is the same. You need to fill in the online form on the U.S. government website. When entering the reason for your trip, you will be asked to choose between transit and stay. If you choose to stay, you’ll be asked to provide the address of your accommodation. Bear in mind that your ESTA is officially valid for 2 years, during which you can make as many stopovers or stays as you like.
Please note: if your passport expires early, so does your ESTA authorization. Don’t forget to reapply if you get a new passport.
During the identity check, the customs officer will probably ask to see a travel document, a round-trip ticket for a stay in the United States, and an exit ticket to the final destination in the case of transit.
Transit visa in case of ESTA refusal
Whether the ESTA application is for transit, tourism or business travel, the admission requirements are the same. ESTA is open only to nationals of countries that have signed the Visa Waiver Program, and who hold a valid biometric or electronic passport. The stay may not exceed 90 days, and must be by air or sea. Travelers must not pose a threat to the country’s internal security.
Your ESTA application may be refused for a typo or failure to meet an eligibility criterion. You can reapply for a typo, but not for failure to meet an eligibility requirement. If this is your case, you need to apply for a Transit C visa to be precise. Contact the nearest American embassy or consulate in your country.