Unfortunately, a valid passport is not enough to travel to the USA. You’ll need to supplement this document with a travel authorization, such as an American visa or ESTA. French nationals are eligible for ESTA. We’ll show you how to apply for an ESTA online, and let you consult the consular services for any questions you may have about applying for a USA visa.
ESTA application
How do I obtain an ESTA to enter the United States?
Summary :
Before we explain how to apply for ESTA authorization, it’s important that you first check the requirements for this application.
ESTA requirements
The ESTA was set up to screen travelers wishing to cross the U.S. border. It is therefore logical that certain criteria must be met in order to obtain it.
- you must be a national of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) member country;
- your trip to the USA must be a transit, tourist or business trip of 90 days or less;
- you must have a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay in the United States. This can be a biometric passport or an electronic passport;
- you must use an airline or shipping company approved by the American authorities to travel to the USA ;
- you must prove that you do not represent a threat to the country’s internal security.
Steps to take to obtain an ESTA
Unlike applying for a U.S. visa, you don’t need to go to the U.S. embassy to apply for an ESTA. In fact, the whole process can be completed online. You can complete the ESTA form on the official U.S. government website, or use a private website to order your ESTA.
The online form is divided into several sections dealing with your personal data, your passport details and your travel details to the USA. For example, you will be asked to provide your first and last name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of issue and expiry, address in the USA, and so on. The application form also contains a section on your criminal and medical history, to determine whether you represent a potential danger to the country’s internal security. These closed questions must be answered truthfully.
The U.S. authorities’ response to your ESTA authorization request
Completing the form takes just a few minutes. It will be processed by the electronic systems once the ESTA fee has been paid. The U.S. authorities are committed to issuing a reply within 72 hours.
To find out the status of your ESTA application, go to the government website with your application number and passport number. Three ESTA statuses are possible:
- ESTA pending, the US government has not yet communicated the answer;
- ESTA accepted, you can travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. Remember to check the validity date of your ESTA (maximum 2 years);
- If your ESTA application has been refused, either an error has been made in the form to be completed at the time of application, or you are not eligible. In the first case, you can reapply. In the second case, you need to contact the American embassy to apply for an American visa.
