ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

As of 12 January it is now compulsory for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers to submit their information through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation prior to departure. Information required through ESTA mirrors the data visitors already submit through the I-94W paper form currently filled out on the aircraft or upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry; however, this new system simplifies the process by allowing you to complete the form online prior to arrival.

Please note there is currently no fee involved when using this service. 

The U.S Government does plan to introduce a fee for this service, very shortly. Therefore we recommend that you apply for your ESTA application ASAP!

ESTA only authorises a traveller to board an air or sea carrier for travel to the United States. It also does not guarantee entry into the United States; that decision rests with the immigration official at the Port of Entry in the same way that travellers currently entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program or with a visa are subject to inspection.

>>>  Make your ESTA application - CLICK HERE

Key Points:

• All passengers must complete the forms.
• If you require a new Passport you must receive the new Passports BEFORE applying for ESTA.
• Infants must also have the ESTA Forms completed.
• ESTA applications is currently FREE (beware of sites that want to charge you for this service)
• You must be eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program

When to apply?
The online version is available for use now and should be completed at least 72 hours before departure (or as soon as possible) - applications can be made after that but they run the risk that approval may not be received ahead of travel.

What happens to ESTA applications?
Once the online application has been completed and, assuming it is satisfactory, the system will normally respond with an approval very quickly. Travellers should make a note of the ESTA approval number in case they need to access their application later – such as to register a change of name or marital status. Some applications may take up to 72 hours to approve whilst data is checked. Currently there is no charge for an ESTA application and no more information is sought than has been required under the I-94W system.

Who can complete ESTA?
Each family member travelling is required to complete an ESTA application and third party entry of data into ESTA is permitted – whether a relative or not. However the third party must be completely certain as to the accuracy of such entries. Any inaccuracies will be taken up with the applicant - NOT the third party and the applicant remain totally responsible for their own records.

APIS and ESTA
Travellers who have been to the USA before, will know that additional information, called APIS, is already required relating to the traveller’s journey. As ESTA & APIS data cover two different requirements, both systems have to run independently. At some point the two may be merged so that duplicate information does not have to be provided but currently there is no planned date for such a change.

Repeat Visits
Updating ESTA data for repeat visits within the two year ESTA duration is recommended but is not mandatory. I.e. Upon entry into the USA, the Customs and Border Protection Officer will also have the traveller’s APIS data on screen at the same time as the ESTA data and this may lead to a query why the two sets of data do not match. Updating ESTA with new arrival and 1st night’s stay data will save time at the point of entry as it will mean fewer questions.

Don’t know the US destination address or flight details yet?
If you have booked your hotel through Complete Orlando, please call us quoting your booking reference and we will be more than happy to give you the necessary information for your ESTA applications.


Passport Information
All passports and/or visas for your holiday must be obtained by you, whose responsibility it remains to ensure that these are all in order and to meet any additional costs incurred as a result of failure to comply with such requirements. Passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry. The majority of British machine-readable passports holders do not normally require a visa to visit the USA providing you will be in the USA no more than 90 days, hold a return ticket, do not have a criminal record and complete a Visa Waiver Form. We strongly recommend that you contact the US embassy for full details of the conditions of the Visa Waiver and/or entry requirements as exclusions apply.

Important: Some travellers may not be eligible to enter the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. These include people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses, those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the VWP. Such travellers must apply for special restricted visas. If you attempt to travel without a visa, you may be refused entry into the United States.

To help you find out if you qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme, please visit:
→ click here