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Nonimmigrant Visas

About ESTA - The Electronic System for Travel Authorization

Department of Homeland Security (Immigration)  

Visa Waiver Program travelers entering the United States by air or sea carrier are required to register under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. 

Before attempting to register under ESTA, please first check your eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

If your registration was denied under ESTA please review this information first.


Help & Guides



ESTA news

09 August 2010:  A new fee for Visa Waiver Program travelers from September 8, 2010

25 November 2008 The U.S. Customs & Border Protection has produced a video which provides an overview of the ESTA program.
[ View video (Windows Media)]

14 January 2009 Making Sure The Honeymoon Isn't Over: Newlyweds Advised to Avoid Post-Dated Passports if Travelling to the U.S.

24 November 2008 ESTA : New Requirements for British Citizens Traveling to the United States (Press release).

24 July 2008  The Electronic System for Travel Authorization
Jackie Bednarz, Attaché, Department of Homeland Security, answers frequently-asked questions about ESTA.
All videos are provided in both Windows-Media (.WMV) and Apple QuickTime (.MOV) format. Windows users who wish to view the QuickTime versions may need to download and install Quicktime from Apple.
A transcript of the FAQs is available.

Complete video (Intro with 7 questions, 7:01min) [read transcript]
Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

  

Question 1: What is ESTA? (1:45 min) [read transcript]
Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

 

Question 2: What about the privacy of my data? (0:56 min) [read transcript]
Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

  

Question 3: What kind of data will ESTA collect? (0:44 min) [read transcript]
Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

Question 4: What if I need to travel on short notice? (1:20 min) [read transcript]

Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

  

Question 5: What if I don't have access to a computer or internet? (0:44 min) [read transcript]
Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

Question 6: What if my ESTA form isn't approved? (1:14 min) [read transcript]
Click here (.wmv)
Click here (.mov)

    

24 June 2008 U.S., United Kingdom Border Agencies Agree to Expedite Travel Between Nations  U.S. Customs and Border Protection signed a joint agreement today with the government of the United Kingdom to develop a bilateral pilot program to facilitate travel between the two nations. The International Expedited Traveler Initiative will integrate CBP's Global Entry program with the British registered traveler program.

18 June 2008 United States Plans New Travel Procedures for 27 Countries  Beginning January 12, 2009, travelers to the United States from 22 countries in Europe and five in the Asia-Pacific region currently exempt from certain U.S. visa requirements will be using a new online travel authorization process, the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

03 June 2008 Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

03 June 2008 DHS announces Pre-Travel Authorization program for U.S.-Bound Travelers from Visa Waiver Countries  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today the Interim Final Rule for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program and is required by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

 • ESTA Fact Sheet
 • ESTA Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 127kb, 13 pages)
 • Privacy Impact Assessment (PDF 323kb)
 • System of Records Notice (PDF 123kb)

More Information

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