What is the ESTA process like to travel to the United States with a European passport and how much does it cost?

Many people in Argentina have dual citizenship and we have the european passport (for example, the Italian or Spanish passport). In these cases, travelers intending to travel to the United States do not need to apply for a visitor visa for business or tourism (B1/B2).

But yes: always with a valid European passport, you must submit an application for the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, that is, a permit that is processed online before traveling.

Through the Visa Waiver Program, ESTA allows qualified foreign travelers to visit the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.

The ESTA application process is quick and easy through the official website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov

To begin, click on “Create new application”, and the site will guide you step by step through the application process.

• Have a valid passport from a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (for example, Spain, Italy and most European countries are listed).
• Complete your personal information, enter your email, address and telephone number.
• Upload a clear passport photo.

Information can be saved at any time during the application process to finalize later. However, it should not take more than 7 days to finalize a saved request, otherwise it will be deleted.

At the same time, it must be taken into account that payment is not made until the application has been completed and submitted, where the steps regarding personal information and the trip must be followed, answering the key selection questions.

In the application process, the traveler will also be given visual cues to ensure they provide all necessary information.

It is important to check that all information was entered correctly. Then, you can press the “Pay now” button.

If you are unable to pay at the time of shipment, you will be given a payment deadline. And if payment is not received on that date, the application will be deleted.

Once the traveler has submitted the request, they will receive an email notifying them of receipt. AND You will be notified of the status of your application after 72 hours have passed. of shipping.

Once the ESTA application is approved, the passenger will be able to travel to the United States for 90 days.

The authorization will be valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and multiple trips to the United States are allowed without the traveler having to reapply for another ESTA authorization.

The fee for travelers who wish to travel to the United States with an ESTA system they must pay 21 dollars.

All payments for electronic travel authorization applications must be made by credit or debit card or PayPal. Currently, the ESTA system only accepts the following credit or debit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover (JCB, Diners Club).

The request will not be sent for processing until all payment information is received.

You can check the status as follows: “Individual application”: Go to the ESTA home page, select “Check ESTA status” and then click “Check individual status”.

You must enter the passport number, date of birth and application number OR the country of citizenship, the date of issue of the passport and the expiration date of the passport.

Although the Electronic Travel Authorization System will generally return an Application Status within 72 hoursthis status must be verified on the ESTA website.

To do this, you must go to the ESTA home page and click on “Check Existing Application” and then on “Check Individual Status”.

On the next screen, enter the passport number, date of birth and application number.

Attention: If you did not receive or cannot find your application number, you have to click on “I DO NOT know the Application Number”. You will then need to enter your passport number, country of citizenship, passport issuance date, passport expiration date, and date of birth.

The results can be: Authorization Approved, Travel not authorized or Authorization pending. Only in the first case can you enter the US through the ESTA system.

The request must be made at least 72 hours before departure. But the most convenient thing is to do it with a margin of 15 days.

It is important to keep in mind that Travelers who do not have approval at the time of check-in at the airport will not be able to board..