Are you daunted by the thought of filling out an ESTA form? Afraid that you might end up blowing it? This step-by-step guide to filling out the form will help you cruise through effortlessly.

How to Apply For ESTA?

The ESTA form is entirely online. You will have to complete 10 successive screens and then submit the form for approval. 

Essentials of Form Filling

We advise you to have these ready before you apply for your ESTA:

  • A valid digital passport
  • Your complete name, as well as your parents
  • Address of your current or former employer
  • Accommodation address in the US
  • Payment information-the credit card does not necessarily have to be in your name

Mandatory fields have to be filled out on the form. These are marked with asterisks(*).

Go to ESTA Application Form Page

Visit our ESTA Application page and start by providing your email address & contact number.

Uploading Your Passport

You will have to upload an image of the front page of your passport in a jpg/jpeg/png/gif format. It must be a clear image and should include the lower third portion of the front page. (the machine-readable part)

Once you do so the following information will get uploaded in the form automatically:

  • Your family name
  • Your first name
  • Your gender
  • Your passport number
  • The name of the country where your passport was issued
  • Your nationality
  • Your date of birth
  • The validity of your passport

Parents’ Names

These are mandatory fields that must be filled out. If you don’t know or only know the partial names of your parents write “unknown” in the specified areas. 

Your Contact Details

You will be required to enter your phone number and address. Choose the number at which you are mostly available. Choose your country code from the drop-down menu and enter the number without any spaces. 

Next, mention your residential and email address. Your ESTA status will be notified via email, therefore keep a check on your inbox and junk mail. 

Social Media

If you have been active on social media in the previous five years, you will be asked to provide a relevant ID. However, you can also select “no” if you have been inactive. 

Emergency Contact

This information is regarding the person to contact in the US, should you be involved in any emergency. 

Employer Contact

If you are currently or formerly employed. Your employer details are to be filled in here. Subsequently, you can also answer in the negative if you have never been employed in your life. 

Travel Information

Here you have to mention if you intend to stay in the US or will be in transit only. If you intend to stay in the US, the next part requires that you mention your point of contact in the US. (this can also be the name and address of the hotel where you plan to stay)

Other Credentials

If you hold dual citizenship, mention the country and the procedure of how you obtained citizenship. Similarly, you will have to specify if there is any citizenship that you have surrendered in the past. 

If you are a member of the Global Entry Program, you are required to enter your nine-digit membership number in the specific column. 

Security Questions

Once you have filled in all the required information, you have to proceed to answer questions about your health, criminal records, drug abuse, previous overstay in the US, and travel history to certain countries. 

Remember to be honest when answering. You might be denied ESTA if US authorities are able to prove a false answer. 

Consent

Check the consent boxes in one of the final steps.

Information Check

This will be your last chance to modify the information which you have registered. Check the information for any spelling mistakes especially your name, date of birth, and passport number. 

Payment

Once you have successfully answered all the questions, you have to pay per application. As soon as you have paid, your form processing begins.

How Long Does an ESTA Application Take?

According to the official ESTA website, it takes an individual approximately 23 minutes to fill out the form.

How Long Does it Take For ESTA Approval?

Usually, you will receive an approval within minutes of form submission. Some cases take longer. Nevertheless, your ESTA status will be updated within 72 hours of form submission. 

Bottom-line

ESTA provides an easy alternative to the long and arduous visa application process. During the form-filling process, all that you require is the necessary documentation and a clear head! 

Go through our guide so that you are prepared for what’s coming your way. This will help avoid blunders and save you precious time as well as money.