UPDATE YOUR ESTA

It’s not uncommon that, despite all the vigilance in the world, a mistake gets into your ESTA application and you’d like to rectify it. Fortunately, it is possible to update your ESTA after you have applied for it, but only under certain conditions.

However, it is not possible to update an ESTA already validated for your trip to the USA.

ESTA: A BRIEF DEFINITION

Before going any further, let’s refresh our memories on the term ESTA. What is it exactly?

ESTA, for Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is an authorization to enter the United States without a visa. There’s no need to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate, as you can apply for ESTA online.

This U.S. visa waiver is only available for countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The program currently covers 38 countries.

To obtain ESTA authorization, in addition to being a national of one of the countries covered by the program, you must meet the following criteria:

• for stays of up to 90 consecutive days;
• travel to the USA for tourism, transit (to Cuba or Canada, for example) or business;
• fill in the form online on the official U.S. government website, or use private sites that will help you fill in the form and provide you with the ESTA afterwards. This form consists of questions about your identity and passport. You will also have to answer a questionnaire about your mental and physical health and your criminal record;
• have a valid biometric or electronic passport.
  

WHEN CAN I UPDATE MY ESTA?

Some information can be changed, but unfortunately others will require a new ESTA application. Another possibility is that your information changes between the time you apply for your ESTA and the date of your departure.

Depending on the status of your application and the information to be changed, it may not be possible to update your ESTA.

If, for example, you have just completed your ESTA form and realize that an error has crept into one of your details, it is perfectly possible to update your ESTA. As long as the request is not sent to the U.S. government, it is possible to update the information.

On the contrary, if the shipment has been confirmed and you have paid the $14 fee, you will no longer be able to change your data, except for 3 which can still be modified after your authorization has been validated:

1. your e-mail address: it sometimes happens that you no longer have access to your mailbox (hack, loss of password, etc.). It is therefore possible to provide another address;
2. your postal address: if, for example, you have moved since you applied for ESTA, you can provide your new address;
3. your destination address: you can change the USA destination address if you have changed it in the meantime.

To update your ESTA, either go to the government website using your login and password, or contact the private website you used.

Certain data, such as a change of name, a change of passport number or a change in one of the answers provided in the questionnaire, cannot be modified. You will then have to apply for a new ESTA and pay the fee again.