ESTA

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

Apply for Electronic Travel Authorization Now:

It’s FREE, FAST and EASY!

From January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries - including Ireland - are required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to traveling to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP. Travel Authorization is obtained through an online registration system known as ESTA. The tool is easy to use, free of charge and available in 16 languages. The ESTA website is now live to register: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.

ESTA applies only to those VWP travelers entering the United States by air or sea. Travelers entering by land either from Canada or Mexico are not required to register before traveling.

Individuals who already possess a valid B1/B2 or other classification of visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose it was issued. Individuals traveling on valid visas will not be required to apply for an ESTA.

ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime, but no later than 72 hours before you are due to travel to the United States under the VWP. In most cases, ESTA will provide an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel under the VWP. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as a VWP traveler begins to plan a trip to visit the United States. VWP travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for an ESTA. As soon as VWP travelers begin to plan a trip to visit the United States, they are encouraged to apply for authorization through the ESTA Web site.

Follow this link to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites for further information regarding the ESTA.

An approved ESTA travel authorization is:

valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first;
valid for multiple entries into the U.S.; and
not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under the VWP. In all cases, CBP officers make admissibility determinations at our ports of entry.

Note: if you DO need a visa, you do NOT need an ESTA!

Questions and Answers

Video: Electronic System for Travel Authorization: Get It and Go

Watch and listen to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Attaché Jackie Bednarz answering questions about ESTA:

To review the videos, click on the questions in the detailed descriptions below.

Complete video (Intro with 7 questions):
Total length 7:01min

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