United States Visa Waiver ProgramUpdated 3 years ago
REGARDING COVID19 AND ENTRY INTO THE THE UNITED STATES:
In accordance with Proclamation—Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus, effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on March 16, 2020, the entry into the United States is suspended for most individuals, other than United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, who have been physically present within the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe, or the Republic of Ireland within 14 days of travel to the United States. Proclamation 9993 regarding travel from a Schengen Area country also remains in effect. Any traveler with a valid ESTA who is subject to the Proclamation and who attempts to travel the United States in violation of the Proclamation will have their ESTA canceled. ESTA will not refund applications that are canceled due to this Proclamation. Travelers who have questions about whether they are subject to, or exempted from, the Proclamation should refer to the Proclamation language, and consult with the U.S. Department of State and the air carrier, as appropriate, in advance of travel to avoid travel disruptions. Proclamation 9984 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus and Other Appropriate Measures To Address This Risk), Proclamation 9992 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus), and Proclamation 9993 (Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus) all remain in effect.
You are eligible to apply for admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you are a citizen or national of one of the 39 Visa Waiver Program countries listed below and your stay in the United States will not exceed 90 calendar days. No extension of stay is possible.
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WHO SHOULD APPLY?
- You must apply for what is known as an ESTA (Electronic System For Travel Authorization)
- You are a citizen or eligible national of a VWP country as listed above.
- You are currently not in possession of a USA visitor's visa.
- Your travel is for 90 days or less.
- You plan to travel to the United States is for business or pleasure.
- You want to apply for a new authorization for one person or a group of applications for two or more persons.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Apply for ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States. Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
- Valid passport(s) from a Visa Waiver Program country.
- Traveler's valid email address.
- Traveler's home address and phone number.
- Traveler's emergency point of contact phone and email.
Payment method:
US Government Fee for application is $14.00 USD.
Peninsula Visa can provide this service.
HOW LONG IS AN ESTA VALID FOR?
Approved ESTA applications are valid for a period of two years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and multiple trips to the United States without the traveler having to re-apply for another ESTA. When traveling to the U.S. with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time - and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live in the US. There is no set requirement for how long you must wait between visits.
WILL GETTING A NEW PASSPORT AFFECT MY VALID ESTA?
A new ESTA authorization is required if:
- You are issued a new passport,
- You change your name (first and/or last)
- You change your gender (ESTA does not currently have a gender X to choose from on the application. It is suggested that the traveler choose whichever choice they feel most comfortable with. ESTA will not be denied solely on the gender chosen on the application.)
- Your country of citizenship changes
- Your circumstances change, e.g., you are convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or you develop a contagious disease. Such a change may require you to get a visa to travel to the U.S. You must re-apply and your application must reflect the change in your circumstances or you may be denied entry upon arrival in the United States. More information about other ineligibilities can be found on the U.S. State Department website
DHS recommends that you apply for ESTA authorization as soon as you know you will be traveling to the United States under the VWP. If your ESTA expires while in the U.S., it will not affect your departure.