FORMALITIES TO GET TO THE UNITED STATES

A trip to the U.S. can’t be improvised, and requires certain formalities, such as applying forESTA. So before you hit the stores on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, discover the Grand Canyon, explore Arizona’s national parks or devour a Dungeness crab in San Francisco, you need to prepare your stay in the USA as well as possible! Security measures in the U.S. are fairly strict, so it’s important to comply with these formalities. Don’t panic, our experts tell you everything you need to know before your trip abroad.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE: APPLYING FOR ESTA

One of the first formalities to go to the United States is to obtain a “laissez-passer”. Without it, you won’t be able to embark, and you’ll have to say goodbye to your American dream. There are several ways to travel to the United States: the green card or the visa… but the most practical is without doubt the ESTA! This document allows you to enter the United States without a visa. To obtain ESTA authorization, you must meet the following conditions:

• your stay must be temporary (90 days maximum);
• you are traveling by air or sea;
• for tourism, business or transit;
• you are in possession of a biometric or electronic passport;
• you are a national of one of the 38 countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program (including France).

If you meet all these requirements, you can apply for authorization using the ESTA form we offer on our platform. To complete the ESTA online form, please bring your passport. Everything is done quickly, and our partner takes care of the rest!

A reply will be sent to you very quickly, as files are processed within 72 hours. ESTAs are valid for 2 years, which means you can return to the USA with the same document several times if you wish. If your ESTA is refused, you may not meet all the conditions for obtaining it. As a last resort, you can apply for a visa.

Good to know: ESTA does not allow you to work or study in the United States.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO ENTER THE USA

Different travel documents are required to enter the USA. First of all, don’t forget your health insurance certificate. It’s very important to take out health insurance before you leave, as healthcare costs in the USA are very expensive. Of course, your identity document is also essential for traveling to the United States. You must therefore have a valid e-passport or biometric passport.

If you realize that your passport is about to expire, you can apply for a new one. Emergency passports are only issued for serious medical reasons or humanitarian and professional obligations, and must be electronic.

Even if you don’t need to take your ESTA with you, once you’ve received approval from the U.S. authorities, it’s a good idea to print out the authorization. The immigration officer will not ask you to show the authorization, as everything is computerized. But in the event of a computer problem, your hard copy could come in very handy!

Find out now what formalities you need to complete when you arrive on American soil.

ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES ON THE PLANE AND AT THE AIRPORT IN THE UNITED STATES

Once you’re comfortably seated on the plane, you’ll be issued with a blue plug, known as the 6059B blue plug. You must complete it carefully, giving your full name, passport number, details of your personal belongings and address during your stay. Don’t lose it on the plane, as you’ll need to present it at the airport.

You can also prepare your passport so that the agent can check your identity.

You will then be photographed and fingerprinted.

One last step before you can enter the U.S. for good: answer a few questions about your trip (length of stay, your reasons for traveling, your address in the U.S.).

Once these formalities have been completed, the riches of the American territory are yours to discover! Enjoy your trip to the USA!