How long is ESTA authorization valid?
ESTA authorization is the travel document that nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain if they plan to stay in the United States for less than 90 days for business, tourism or transit purposes. This authorization can only be requested over the Internet. The process is fairly straightforward: the traveler fills in the ESTA form available online on the official website, and pays the processing fee. In principle, the ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. However, the ESTA loses its validity in certain situations.
Why you need ESTA for visa-free travel to the USA
The ESTA was set up to control and verify visa-exempt travelers planning to enter the USA. It helps to guarantee US homeland security, while promoting US tourism internationally. Not to mention the simplification of the procedure for both the traveler – since it’s an online application to be made before leaving – and the consular services. The U.S. embassy is not responsible for issuing ESTAs, but rather for applying for U.S. visas.
To apply for authorization, visitors must complete the online form, filling in several fields about themselves, their valid passport and their trip to the USA. All information requested from the traveler must be accurate, truthful and up-to-date. Please bring your passport with you for this procedure. You can apply for authorization on the U.S. government website.
We must point out that ESTA is not open to everyone. ESTA is part of the Visa Waiver Program launched by the American authorities. As such, it is reserved for nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. The American authorities only authorize valid electronic and biometric passports. As far as passport validity is concerned, it is acceptable for holders of a French passport to have a remaining validity equivalent to the date of departure from the USA. Depending on governmental agreements, a 6-month validity period is generally required.
How long does an ESTA take?
The ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. It allows you to travel to the U.S. as often as you like, provided you don’t stay more than 90 consecutive days on U.S. soil. Any stay longer than a tourist or business trip requires a USA visa issued by the American embassy. The time spent in the U.S. will be checked on arrival, when your ticket is checked, and when you leave the country. Once authorization has been granted, the traveler is free to board a plane or ship bound for the U.S. at any time, as long as he or she remains within the 2-year validity period of the authorization, and the airline or shipping company is recognized by the U.S. authorities.
However, the validity of the ESTA depends on the passport to which it is linked. If, at the time of online application, the passport is valid for less than two years, the ESTA will expire on the same date as the passport. Another case to take into account: if the traveler holds a valid ESTA authorization but changes passport, a new ESTA application must be made using the information in the new passport. As you can see, the data used to fill in the form and the passport data must be identical.
For greater precision, a new ESTA application must also be made if your situation has changed and you are no longer able to answer “yes” to all the questions on the ESTA form questionnaire. In this case, it’s difficult for the American authorities to determine whether what you’re saying is true. However, remember that you agree to provide truthful information when you accept the conditions of use for the online application.
ESTA renewal and information update
With an official validity period of 2 years, it is possible that your information may change. Updating information provided to the US government is possible, but is limited to just two fields: your e-mail address and the address of your accommodation in the USA. Any other changes will require a new ESTA application.
If your ESTA expires or becomes invalid due to a change of passport, you’ll need to apply again. To check your ESTA status, enter your name, passport number and ESTA number on the official website. If you don’t have an ESTA number, you can simply enter your personal details. The new ESTA application is independent of the first application, so you must pay again, and there is no guarantee that your application will be accepted. We therefore advise you to take the utmost care when filling in the form.
