ESTA – A Visa That Can Be Availed From Home

ESTA a convenient option for frequent visitors to America:

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a boon to all those frequent travellers to the US under the visit visa waiver program. This is a gift specifically to all those who do not wish to be bothered with the hassles of a conventional visa.

The system of ESTA is a handy tool which can be applied online, cannot be overlooked unless the applicant has another special categorized visa to enter the US.

The salient features of ESTA visa:

• Needs to applied online
• Takes just ten minutes to fill it up
• The validity of this visa is 2 years
• Unlimited number of entries to US can be covered
• Can be utilized for both business as well as family trips
• Application can be filled at a very short notice. ESTA can be applied just before hotel reservations or even booking flight tickets
• Opting for an ESTA as an option at the last moment is one of its best features

Who is eligible to apply for admission under the ESTA Program?

You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you:

• Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit
• Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country
• Have authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
• Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier
• Have a return or onward ticket

Travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas.

You are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal
• Republic of Malta
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

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 a travel authorization application.
• 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.

News Source: Visa Reporter, US Customs and Border Protection

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