Differences between a visa and an ESTA
Discover the differences between the US visa and the ESTA electronic travel certificate below.
ESTA: the easiest to obtain
It is advisable to opt for an ESTA authorization, which is less expensive and faster than a visa.
The conditions of access are as follows:
- Staying less than 90 consecutive days on American soil (including Alaska and Hawaii);
- Traveling for tourism or business purposes (unpaid);
- Have a return or onward ticket, chartered by an airline or shipping company recognized by the USA;
- Be in possession of a valid electronic or biometric passport;
- Be a national of one of the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, but not have dual nationality of Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan.
If you meet all of these criteria, you can make an official ESTA application online. You will receive your document within 72 hours, ready to be downloaded as a PDF. If you wish, you can then print your document, which is valid for two years. It offers the possibility to stay for a maximum of 90 consecutive days during this period.
If you wish to stay for a longer period of time, there are other options available to you, such as a visa.
VISA for a customized trip
If your profile does not meet the requirements for travel with ESTA, you can travel to the USA with a visa.
However, the procedure and time required to obtain a US visa is much longer than for an ESTA. Therefore, prepare your application well in advance of your intended departure date.
You can apply for a visa for different reasons, such as
- B1 visa for business ;
- B2 visa for tourism;
- F1 visa for studies ;
- H3 visa for interns;
- H2A visa for temporary jobs ;
- L visa for directors and executives;
- etc.
For more information, you can visit the website of a U.S. embassy or contact a consular officer who will inform you about the visas that best suit your profile and the reasons for your stay in the United States.
Good to know before your trip: good manners in the United States are not necessarily the same as in France, to learn more, please consult the page dedicated to the subject.
