Embassy of the United States London, UK

Will registering for ESTA determine my eligibility to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program?

No. ESTA should not be used to determine if a person is qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Only qualfied VWP travelers should register under ESTA.

ESTA provides authorization to qualified VWP travelers to board a carrier, either air or sea, to travel to the United States. Before registering you must determine your eligibility to travel under the VWP; only those qualified to do so should register.

How far in advance am I required to submit an application?

It may be done at anytime, but no later than 72 hours before you are due to travel. You are not required to have any firm travel plans before registering and we recommend that you register as soon as you have made reservations or have purchased tickets.

If authorization to travel is granted it will be valid for travel for two years or until the date on which your passport expires, which ever comes first. It will be valid for multiple visits. Should your itinerary change (address, flight number) you may update the information through the ESTA Web site.

What should I do if I have obtained a new passport or have changed my name, date of birth, citizenship or gender, or my eligibility to travel visa free has changed

If you have obtained a new passport, changed your name, date of birth, citizenship, or gender you are required to apply for new travel authorization. You cannot amend your existing registration. If you are no longer eligible to tavel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you will be required to apply for a visa.

How long will it take to process the travel authorization?

In most cases the traveler will be provided with an almost immediate determination as to whether or not travel authorization is granted.

There are three types of responses:

Authorization Approved
Authorization Pending; and
Travel Not Authorized.

Those applicants who receive an approval are then authorized to board an air or sea carrier under the Visa Waiver Program.

Applicants who receive an "Authorization Pending" response will need to check the Web site for updates within 72 hours to receive a final response.

If travel is not authorized, the traveler will be required to apply for a visa.

How much does it cost?

Initially there will be no fee for this service. Companies who are charging a fee for this service are NOT operating on behalf of the U.S. Government

I am entering the U.S. by land from Canada or Mexico; do I require travel authorization under ESTA?

No. You will NOT be required to obtain travel authorization if entering the U.S. by land

I am transiting the U.S.; do I require authorization under ESTA before traveling?

Yes, you will be required to obtain authorization to travel before boarding the aircraft.

I have been arrested and or convicted; can I register under ESTA?

Only those qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program are eligible to register. As you have been arrested and or convicted, you require a visa in order to travel. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S law. Please note that minor traffic offenses such as speeding, which did not result in an arrest or conviction, will not prevent a traveler from traveling under the VWP and therefore, will not prevent you from applying to register under ESTA

What information do I need in order to complete the application?

You are required to provide the same information as requested on the form I-94W; that is your biographical data including name, birth date, and passport information, as well as travel information such as the flight number and destination address in the United States. You are also required to answer Visa Waiver Program eligibility questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, and past history of visa revocation or deportation, amongst others. The information must be provided in english. A third party may complete the form on your behalf.

Details required:

Name
Date of Birth
Country of citizenship
Country of current residence
Gender
E-mail address
Phone number
Passport number, issuing country, date of issuance, date of expiration
Travel information - departure city, flight number, carrier, address while in the U.S.
VWP eligibility questions.

Can I apply for travel authorization if I was previously denied entry into or deported from the U.S.?

Only those qualified to travel under the Visa Waiver Program are eligible to register. As you have been denied entry into or deported from the U.S., you require a visa in order to travel.

Am I required to print the authorization to travel and carry it with me?

No, the airlines and shipping companies will have received confirmation that you are authorized to travel. However, you should retain the application number so that you may update your information in the future; if necessary.

For how long is travel authorization granted?

Travel authorization is granted for two years or until the date on which your passport expires, which ever comes first. Once you have completed your registration on-line, you will be provided with the dates during which you may travel to the United States.

If your original itinerary changes, for example, address in the U.S., flight number, you may update the original record through the ESTA website by following the instructions. Should any biographical or passport information change, you will be required to make a new application for travel authorization. If you are no longer eligible to tavel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, you will be required to apply for a visa.

You will require the application number in order to make changes to your original record.

I have a valid visa; do I require travel authorization approval under ESTA before traveling?

No, this new system applies only to those traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

I applied for travel authorization under ESTA but it was denied; What do I do?

You are required to apply for a visa before traveling. Please call the Embassy's Operator Assisted Information Service on 09042 450 100 (Calls cost 1.23/min) to schedule an appointment to apply for a visa.

I have been denied authorization to travel. Is there any point in trying again at a later date?

You may reapply after 24 hours, but unless your circumstances have changed, you will not receive authorization to travel. It is important to note that applying with false information could make you permanently ineligible for travel to the U.S.

I believe that I was incorrectly denied authorization to travel under ESTA as I have travelled in the past

If you believe that you have been incorrectly denied authorization to travel, you should contact the Department of Homeland Security through their Travel Redress Inquiry Program. Further information is available from the Department of Homeland Security's website at www.dhs.gov
Please note that there are no guarantees that a request for redress through DHS TRIP will resolve the issue and the Embassy is unable to provide information about ESTA denials or resolve the issue that caused the ESTA denial.

I have received a message "authorized pending"; what happens next?

You should receive a response within 72 hours of you submitting the information. You should check the website for updates. If you attempt to travel without authorization to do so, you may be denied boarding by the airline or shipping company or entry into the United States.

I made a mistake and submitted incorrect information; what can I do?

If the application was approved, you may submit amended information such as changes to your travel itinerary - change of address; flight number. If you provided incorrect passport or biographic information or information relating to your eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver Program - arrests/convictions/deportation/medical ineligibility, you will be required to submit a new application. If the application was denied, it is recommended that you wait 24 hours before reapplying.

I need to travel to the US urgently and do not have time to request travel authorization; what do I do?

VWP travelers entering the United States by air or sea are required to obtain travel authorization under ESTA before boarding the carrier. It is recommended that you register no later than 72 hours before your travel. However, the system does accommodate last minute and emergency travelers. You should go on-line and register as soon as possible. If you do not receive authorization in time to travel, or authorization is denied, you will be required to apply for a visa.

I was denied approval to travel and I need to travel urgently; can I obtain an emergency appointment?

You should call the Operator Assisted Information Service on 09042 450 100 (calls cost 1.23/min). They will advise you of the earliest available appointment to apply for a visa. No guarantees can be offered that an apointment will be available to accomodate travel, which is why we strongly recommend that travelers register for ESTA well in advance of your proposed date of travel.

If I receive authorization to travel, does that mean I can enter the country?

Approval only authorizes a traveler to board an air or sea carrier (plane or boat) to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program; it does not guarantee entry. That decision can only be made by the immigration official at the Port of Entry in the same way that travelers currently entering the U.S. with a visa are subject to inspection.

What are the advantages of doing this; isn't it easier to get a visa?

No. Obtaining travel authorization, for most travelers, will be simple and easy. Obtaining a visa, however, typically requires an appointment, travel to the Embassy/Consulate, an interview with a consular officer, processing time, and the payment of a fee (currently $140).

Will I still be required to complete the form I-94W

Approval to travel under ESTA will eventually eliminate the requirement that the traveler complete the I-94W form.

I have a postdated passport. Can I register under ESTA?

ESTA will only recognise a valid passport. Therefore, you will not be able to register your details until the date on which the passport becomes vaild for travel. It is recommended that a traveler submit a registration at least 72 hours before traveling. If there is insufficient time for you to do this between the wedding ceremony and date of travel, you may wish to delay applying for a postdated passport and travel on your exisiting passport together with a copy of your marriage certificate.

I am traveling under NATO travel orders; am I required to register under ESTA before boarding the carrier?

ESTA applies only to those traveling to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. If you are traveling on NATO travel orders, you will not be required to register.