Formalities to visit the USA
To enter the United States you must first obtain an administrative travel authorization. In general the traveler applies for a visa. For the USA it is possible to be exempted from the visa requirement and simply obtain an ESTA via the Internet. This electronic travel authorization allows you to enter the United States without obtaining a visa.
For a stay of less than 90 days in the USA: It is not necessary to obtain a visa. Simply apply for ESTA online by clicking on online form.
Why visit the USA?
The United States is a popular destination for travelers from around the world. This is due to the fact that the territory is so vast, that there is a multitude of things to visit in the United States. Indeed, it is impossible to be bored during a trip to the United States.
In New York, you can for example visit a lot of famous monuments: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center… You can walk in very different neighborhoods and do some shopping. You will also discover the American cuisine in New York.
In California, the sun and the jet set parties as well as the national parks are waiting for you. Florida will delight surfing, lounging and theme park lovers in Orlando. You can also choose to visit Las Vegas, its atmosphere and its magical settings, or Hollywood for its star houses and Universal Studios. Don’t forget American manners during your stay.
In short, you will have understood, the choice of visits is immense, and the itinerary is to be defined according to your desires of the moment. If you plan to study at an American university you will need to obtain a student visa.
If you choose to go to the United States with an ESTA UK, you can return to the USA and continue your discovery during other stays. The ESTA is valid for two years, allowing you to make multiple travel arrangements during that time. It is also imperative to have an ESTA to transit through the United States before flying to your final destination such as Cuba. If your final destination is Canada you will need an eTA Canada.
Europe has decided to set up an ETIAS as well. This is a travel certificate prior to entering the European Schengen area.
How to visit the USA?
The requirements for obtaining an ESTA are:
- Be a national of a member country of the Visa Waiver Program;
- Possess a valid passport for the United States;
- Be in possession of a return ticket from an airline approved by the USA.
It is possible to enter the United States with another type of authorization such as a tourist visa or a Green Card. For a long stay it is important to take out American health insurance for your stay.
The ESTA is the solution chosen each year by thousands of travelers because it has the advantage of being faster and less expensive to obtain than the other two authorizations. The ESTA has been the preferred travel document for tourists to the USA since its inception.
You must make your ESTA declaration via the Internet. Once you have completed the online ESTA questionnaire, all of your answers are checked by the American authorities authorized to issue ESTAs. You will receive your essential document to visit the USA by e-mail the same day, or at the latest within 72 hours.
How has the United States strengthened homeland security?
The security of the United States has been strengthened with the implementation of the ESTA since 2009. The ESTA was implemented in 2009 with the help of the U.S. State Department. The management of border controls is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in the USA. The implementation of the ESTA has changed the steps to be taken to complete the formalities for travel to the USA.
For more information, please visit our page on ESTA questions. It includes all the questions frequently asked by travelers to the USA.
