How long is a US tourist visa valid for?

The ESTA validity period and stay length is more generous than many other digital travel permission systems in the world. See if your country is eligible for ESTA and apply online!
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How Long is an ESTA valid for

What is ESTA? How is it different from a traditional Embassy visa?

ESTA, i.e., Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is an electronic visa that allows its holders to travel to the United States within the 2-year ESTA validity period.

ESTA stays valid for two years and allows numerous visits to the USA. Every country taking part in the US Visa Waiver Program is free to make an online ESTA application. Each visit in the United States with ESTA can be 90 days long.

The main difference between ESTA and a traditional US Embassy visa lies in the application process. ESTA application can be completed even from home! Use any working device, whether you feel like using your phone, laptop, PC, or tablet, and apply online within minutes.

No visa interviews, no excessive amounts of paperwork, or unnecessary stressful visits to the US Embassy. Moreover, ESTA costs only 49 Euro for a multiple-entry permit that stays valid for two years. Save money, time, and effort and make an online application for ESTA to travel to the United States.

How long is an ESTA valid for?

ESTA stays effective for two years from the visa issue date or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The US customs and border protection officials will check if you have a valid ESTA and a valid passport upon entering the United States.

Please note! Traveler's passport and ESTA are connected. Whenever your passport expires, would you have to change your passport details, or should you get a new passport, you need to apply for a new ESTA.

Stay in the United States for even 90 days (three months) at a time with ESTA, but make sure your passport will be valid throughout your whole trip.

If you want to know if your entry permit to the US is still valid, contact our support team!

Who is eligible to apply for ESTA?

Citizens of countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program are eligible to make an ESTA application. This includes the following countries:

AndorraHungaryNorway
AustraliaIcelandPoland
AustriaIrelandPortugal
BelgiumItalySan Marino
BruneiJapanSingapore
ChileLatviaSlovakia
Czech RepublicLiechtensteinSlovenia
DenmarkLithuaniaSouth Korea
EstoniaLuxembourgSpain
FinlandMaltaSweden
FranceMonacoSwitzerland
GermanyNetherlandsTaiwan
GreeceNew Zealand United Kingdom

How can I apply for ESTA?

US Visa Waiver countries need to apply for electronic authorization to travel to the US. ESTA approval usually comes within 24 hours; however, the processing time may take up to 72 hours (3 business days).

First, make sure that you have a passport with at least a 6-month expiry date. Scan the bio-data page of your valid passport, have a recent photograph of yourself that will adhere to the passport photo standards, and gather the basic details regarding your trip to the United States.

To apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization entry permit to the US, follow these steps:

  1. Provide your data in an ESTA application form (e.g., the country of citizenship, passport number, telephone number, email address, and information concerning your US trip), attach the supporting documents, and double-check the provided information to ensure it's all correct.
  2. Pay the 49 Euro fee using any preferred online payment method choosing from several available on our website.
  3. Wait for your ESTA authorization to arrive at your email address in a PDF form.

Travelers should apply at least 72 hours (3 business days) before your travel to the US to receive your ESTA authorization on time. Please note! Whenever your passport reaches its expiry date, your ESTA expires as well.

Should you need help at any point during the process of applying, do not hesitate to contact our support team. We are available to all travelers via email support and phone support.

How can travelers use ESTA?

Once you made an ESTA application and have your approved entry to the US permit at your email address, you may start packing for your journey.

But how can ESTA be used?

ESTA holders can travel to the United States for up to 90 days at a time for the following purposes:

  • tourism: US visitors traveling with ESTA may visit their friends and family residing in the US, explore the US tourist destinations, or simply go on vacation
  • business: if you have received an ESTA already, you may also travel to the US for any business-related purposes, such as negotiating future cooperations or contracts
  • transit: within the ESTA validity period, applicants may also make trips to the US for transit purposes

If you come from a Visa Waiver country, you have a VWP eligibility. ESTA applications need to be made at least 3 working days in advance. You don't have to apply for a new ESTA every time a new travel to the US comes up!

How long is an ESTA valid for? ESTA validity is two years from the date of visa approval. A valid ESTA allows its holders to have multiple trips to the US for up to 90 days at a time throughout the 2-year length of visa validity.

Should you need any more information on the ESTA tourist visa, ESTA status, or if you're wondering if your ESTA is still valid, click the 'Contact' button at the top of the website and find our support team email and phone.
 

Bogdan T
2020-03-9
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