Do I need a visa to enter the United States?

Some countries have reached a compromise with the U.S. government to simplify entry requirements for their citizens on short-term business or leisure trips. This is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, better known by its abbreviation ESTA. A stay is considered short if it does not exceed three months.

What is the ESTA application procedure?

Professional websites offer online ESTA forms. You must provide the answers to the required information and validate them. To do this, you need a valid passport and a credit card, as a small fee is charged. This amount includes the application fee, government taxes and ESTA registration and assistance services provided by the website where you will submit your application.

Upon receipt of your request, the responsible office has 72 hours to respond. There are three alternatives: either you receive a positive response, a negative response or your file is put on hold.

WHO DOES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GRANT AN ESTA VISA TO?

Businessmen whose profession requires brief but frequent stays in the United States, or people wishing to spend a vacation in one of the American states, have the most to gain. However, authorizations are conditional on the answers to the questions asked, so make sure you know who is eligible to apply for ESTA.

People with contagious diseases, those whose reasons for staying are unclear, and people of dubious morals are less likely to get their travel authorizations.

WHY ARE THERE SEVERAL SITES OFFERING ESTA FORMS?

There is an official U.S. government ESTA application website. However, private websites offer assistance to people wishing to travel to the USA with an ESTA certificate.

Of course, you’ll have to pay for their service, but the advantage is that you’ll find explanations in French and can ask for assistance with the ESTA process. These sites will accompany you until you receive a response to your request for entry authorization.

If you need a visa to study, work or live in the United States, see our page on visa requirements.

Before any trip to the USA, we advise you to consult our page on American good manners to avoid any inconveniences.