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What is a travel authorization?
To strengthen the security of travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, requirements to travel visa-free have been enhanced. Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries will still be eligible to travel without a visa but will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the United States.
Here is how the travel authorization process works:
The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Customs and Border Protection have provided a secure public Web site with an automated form for you, or a third party, to complete in order to apply for a travel authorization. Once you enter the required biographic and travel information on the secure Web site, your application is processed by the system to determine if you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program without a visa. The system will provide you with an automated response, and prior to boarding, a carrier will electronically verify with the United States Customs and Border Protection that you have an approved travel authorization on file.
Who is required to have a travel authorization?
All passengers traveling under the Visa Waiver Program are required to have an approved travel authorization prior to traveling to the United States by air or sea. Even non-ticketed infants are required to have an approved travel authorization, if they do not have a visa for travel to the United States. An application may be submitted by a third party on behalf of a Visa Waiver Program traveler.
Does a travel authorization guarantee me admission to the United States?
If your electronic travel authorization is approved, this approval establishes that you are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, but does not guarantee that you are admissible to the United States. Upon arrival in the United States you will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry who may determine that you are inadmissible under the Visa Waiver Program or for any reason under United States law.
How long is my travel authorization valid?
Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The Authorization Approved screen displays your travel authorization expiration date.
When do I need to apply for a travel authorization?
Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that travel authorization applications be submitted at least 72 hours prior to travel. Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
How do I apply for authorization to travel to the United States?
Step 1: Complete Your Application
Enter all required information. You will be asked to provide information from your passport and your travel arrangements, and to answer seven security questions. Each member of your party must have an approved travel authorization or a visa, regardless of age.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Review your answers for accuracy. To make corrections, return to the application by selecting the Previous button. Prior to submitting your application for processing, the Department of Homeland Security recommends printing a copy for your records. However, you will not be required to show a printed copy of your application. Once you complete this step and submit your application, you will not have the option of printing a copy of your application.
Step 3: Record Your Application Number
After you submit your application, the system will provide you with an application number. Record this application number for your records. To check the status of or to update your application, you will be asked to provide your application number, passport number, and date of birth.
Step 4: View Your Application Status
In most cases the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will return an Application Status immediately. In cases where more time is needed to determine the status of the application, an answer will be returned within 72 hours. Information will be provided to check the application status if you receive a pending response. The three possible responses are:
Authorization Approved. Your travel authorization has been approved and you are authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. This response does not guarantee admission to the United States; a Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry will have the final determination.
Travel Not Authorized. You are not authorized to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. You may be able to obtain a visa from the Department of State for your travel. Please visit the United States Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa. This response does not deny entry into the United States. This response only prohibits traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.
Authorization Pending. Your travel authorization is under review because an immediate determination could not be made for your application. This response does not indicate negative findings. A determination will be available within 72 hours. Please return to this Web site and choose Update or Check the Status of a Previously Submitted Authorization to Travel to the United States. Your application number, passport number, and birth date will be required to check the status of your application.
A) Do you have a communicable disease; physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?
Communicable Diseases
Under United States law communicable diseases of public health significance include:
Chancroid
Gonorrhea
Granuloma inguinale
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Leprosy, infectious
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Syphilis, infectious stage
Tuberculosis, active
And others as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Physical or Mental Disorders
With regard to physical or mental disorders, answer ”Yes” to this question if:
(a) You currently have a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder that may pose or has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others; or
(b) You had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder that has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others and the behavior is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behavior.
Answer ”No” if:
(a) You currently have no physical or mental disorders; or
(b) You have or had a physical or mental disorder without associated behavior that may pose or has posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare of that of others; or
(c) You currently have a physical or mental disorder with associated behavior, but that behavior has not posed, does not currently pose nor will pose a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others; or
(d) You had a physical or mental disorder with associated behavior that posed a threat to your property, safety or welfare or that of others, but that behavior is unlikely to recur.
Drug Abusers and Drug Addicts
Under United States law persons may not be admissible if they have been determined to be a drug abuser or drug addict.
For further information refer to § 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(1)(A), and corresponding regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.
B) Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance; or been arrested or convicted for two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentence to confinement was five years or more; or been a controlled substance trafficker; or are you seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities?
Crimes involving moral turpitude - Such offenses generally involve conduct which is inherently base, vile, or depraved and contrary to the accepted rules of morality and the duties owed to persons or society in general. There are factors, such as the age of the offender or the date of the offense, that may affect whether an offense will be considered a crime involving moral turpitude for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
For further information refer to § 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2), § 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43) and corresponding regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.
D) Are you seeking to work in the U.S.; or have you ever been excluded and deported; or been previously removed from the United States; or procured or attempted to procure a visa or entry into the U.S. by fraud or misrepresentation?
Individuals entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are admitted as non-immigrant alien visitors and may not seek employment in the United States. While Visa Waiver Program travelers may not seek employment in the United States, there are many classifications of non-immigrant and immigrant employment-sponsored visas for those who qualify.
For further information refer to § 212(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(5).
For further information on non-immigrant and immigrant employment visas, refer to www.travel.state.gov.
E) Have you ever detained, retained, or withheld custody of a child from a U.S. citizen granted custody of the child?
Any alien who, after entry of an order by a court in the United States granting custody to a person of a United States citizen child who detains or retains the child, or withholds custody of the child, outside the United States from the person granted custody by that order, is inadmissible until the child is surrendered to the person granted custody by that order.
For further information refer to § 212(a)(10)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(10)(C).
G) Have you ever asserted immunity from prosecution?
With regard to immunity from prosecution, answer ”Yes” to this question if all of the following apply:
(a) you have committed a serious criminal offense in the United States as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(h), including any felony, at any time for which immunity from criminal jurisdiction was exercised; and
(b) as a consequence of the offense and exercise of immunity identified in (a), you have departed from the United States; and
(c) you have not subsequently submitted fully to the jurisdiction of the court in the United States having jurisdiction with respect to that offense.
For further information refer to § 212(a)(2)(E) and 101(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(E) and 1101(h).
What information can I update?
E-mail address
Telephone number
Airline and flight number
City where you are boarding
Address while in the United States
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What should I do if the information on my passport has changed?
If you obtain a new passport or there is a change to your passport information, you must apply for a new travel authorization. See What information can I update? for a full listing of information that can be changed after submission of your application.
Is there a fee for a travel authorization?
Currently there is no fee to apply for a travel authorization. However, there may be an application fee in the future.
I have seen other Web sites that are charging money and assisting travelers in applying for their ESTA application. Is there a benefit to using one of these other sites?
Visa Waiver Program travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites that charge a fee to provide information about the Electronic System for Travel Authorization and to submit applications on behalf of the Visa Waiver Program traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with the Department of Homeland Security or the United States Government. The United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain travel authorization through the official Web site. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization will not expedite the granting of approval.
What should I do if I am not approved for a travel authorization?
If you receive a Travel Not Authorized response to your travel authorization application, but wish to continue with your travel plans, please visit the United States Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov for additional information about applying for a visa. The denial of a travel authorization only prohibits travel under the Visa Waiver Program and is not a determination of eligibility for a visa to travel to the United States.
In the event you are not approved for a travel authorization, no court shall have jurisdiction to review an eligibility determination under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers admitted under the Visa Waiver Program must agree to waive their rights to review or appeal, as explained in the Waiver of Rights section of the Application screen. See Who is eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program? for further information.
For further information refer to § 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187, and 8 C.F.R. § 217.
Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program?
Andorra
France
Luxembourg
Singapore
Czech Republic
Austria
Germany
Monaco
Slovenia
Estonia
Australia
Iceland
Netherlands
Spain
Hungary
Belgium
Ireland
New Zealand
Sweden
Latvia
Brunei
Italy
Norway
Switzerland
Lithuania
Denmark
Japan
Portugal
United Kingdom
Slovakia
Finland
Liechtenstein
San Marino
Republic of Malta
South Korea
Who is eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program?
To enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you must satisfy all of the following conditions. If you fail to satisfy any of the following conditions, you must obtain a visa in order to enter the United States:
Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less as a nonimmigrant visitor for business or pleasure.
Have a passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country.
Be a citizen or eligible national of the Visa Waiver Program country that issued your passport.
Citizens of the following VWP countries are required to present electronic passports: Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Malta, and South Korea.
Citizens from VWP eligible countries other than Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Malta, and South Korea must present a machine-readable passport. A machine readable passport contains two lines of text with numbers and chevrons (<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page with the passport bearer's picture. Document requirements vary according to the date a passport was issued or renewed as follows:
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 have no additional requirements.
If a passport was issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/05 and does not meet the following requirements, the traveler must obtain a visa:
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/05 through 10/25/06 must meet the following requirements. A digital photograph printed on the passport data page is required OR an integrated chip containing information from the data page (e-passport). A digital photo is one that is printed on the page, not a photo that is glued or laminated into the passport.
Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 are required to be e-passports.
Temporary, emergency, official and diplomatic passports are exempted from digital photo and electronic chip requirements, but must be machine-readable. This rule applies to all Visa Waiver Program countries except for Germany. Temporary or emergency German passports are not valid for Visa Waiver Program travel, and must contain a visa for admission to the United States.
For more information, please see the Customs and Border Protection Web site, CBP.gov, under Travel, For International Visitors, Visiting for Business or Pleasure, Visa Waiver Program.
Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection Officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Waive any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
Obtain an Authorization Approved determination following an travel authorization application.
Have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination other than a territory bordering on the United States or an adjacent island of which you are a resident, subject to certain exceptions enumerated at § 217(a)(8) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1187(a)(8).
Not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.
Have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
If arriving by air or sea, arrive aboard a signatory carrier, a carrier that signed an agreement guaranteeing to transport you out of the United States if you are found to be inadmissible or deportable.
When must I obtain a visa instead of using the Visa Waiver Program?
If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air carrier.
If you intend to visit the United States for more than 90 days.
If you believe any grounds of inadmissibility of the Immigration and Nationality Act § 212(a) apply to you, you should apply for a nonimmigrant visa before traveling to the United States. Although you may be inadmissible to the United States, you may qualify for a non-immigrant visa and waiver, which will allow you to travel to the United States.
Are there disadvantages to using the Visa Waiver Program?
Before using the Visa Waiver Program, be aware of the following conditions that apply and carefully consider your options:
If you are admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status.
If your admission is denied, you have no right to appeal a determination as to admissibility.
If you are found to have violated the terms of your admission, you also have no right to review or appeal, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
What if a Visa Waiver Program applicant is found to be inadmissible?
Travelers applying for admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program who are determined to be inadmissible to the United States will be denied admission and returned to their country of origin, or a third country from which the traveler holds a round-trip ticket, aboard the carrier on which the traveler arrived in the United States.
How do I get more information on the Visa Waiver Program?
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/business_pleasure/vwp/vwp.xml
www.travel.state.gov
Is this Web site secure and private?
Yes. This Web site is operated by the United States Government and employs technology to prevent unauthorized access to the information you enter and view. Additionally, this Web site operates under the rules and regulations as specified by the United States Privacy Act and this Privacy Statement to insure the privacy of your information.
What does my computer need to use the ESTA to submit an application for authorization to travel to the United States?
The minimum computer configuration includes:
An internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
If you are using Internet Explorer (Windows), the minimum version that works with this Web site is version 5.0, with service pack 2.
If you are using Netscape, the minimum version that works is version 6.2.
How can an applicant correct a mistake on their application?
The Web site will allow applicants to review their data prior to submitting the application, including reconfirming the passport number. If an applicant made a mistake on their passport or biographical information or in answering the eligibility questions, he or she will need to submit a new application. Any other mistakes may be corrected or updated by using the update function.
