Top Frequently Asked Questions by ESTA Applicants

Updated on Dec 17, 2024 | Online US Visa

The U.S. is a very popular tourist place on our planet. It has several amazing tourist destinations for people to enjoy their holidays in like the Times Square of New York, the Vegas Strip of Nevada, the beachlife of Florida, the historical monuments of the U.S. capital, Washington, and many others.

Answers to the top FAQs by ESTA applicants

To enter the U.S., foreign visitors must apply for a U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). However, the application process has many rules and regulations, which leads to applicants having many questions about it.

Am I Eligible for the U.S. ESTA Application?

This is one of the most crucial questions to answer for U.S. visitors. The U.S. ESTA was launched under the visa waiver program which allowed foreign tourists to visit the U.S. without the need for a physical visa. To answer this question, you must look at the list of countries whose citizens are allowed entry through the U.S. ESTA.

There are around 41 countries mentioned in the visa waiver program in the present day. Other than this, your history with the U.S. ESTA application can also affect your eligibility for the program. The history will also include any criminal records against you. So, make sure to check all of these before you start applying for the U.S. ESTA application.

How Long Can I Stay within the U.S. on a U.S. ESTA?

When you receive a U.S. ESTA, it is valid for 2 years and allows for multiple entries within this period where each visit shall not exceed 90 days. So, you can stay in the U.S. for 90 days on each visit.

Can I Extend My ESTA?

Sadly, you cannot extend the duration of your ESTA if you have already arrived in the U.S. nor are you allowed to extend the period of your stay in the U.S. with your U.S. ESTA. The main purpose behind the introduction of the Visa Waiver Program was to allow people to visit the U.S. on a short-term basis only.

The only option you have to extend your stay in the U.S. is to reapply for a new U.S. ESTA which you can even do during the validity period of your previous U.S. ESTA. While this can't help extend your stay, it can extend the time that you are allowed to visit the U.S.

What If My ESTA Expires During My Trip?

If for instance, your U.S. ESTA expires during your visit to the U.S., you are safe from any consequences until your stay does not breach the 90-day limit imposed by the visa waiver program. The U.S. immigration laws are only meant to punish those who stay in the U.S. past the 90-day limit as people who breach the limit are considered illegal immigrants.

Despite this though, you should always try to avoid such a situation. If any emergency occurs during your stay that requires you to stay longer than 90 days, it will be much harder to convince the U.S. authorities to allow you to stay on an expired U.S. ESTA.

Do My Children Need ESTA for US Travel?

The U.S. operates differently than many countries when it comes to rules regarding visa requirements for children. Anyone who wishes to visit the U.S. with children must obtain a valid U.S. ESTA for the children as well. The U.S. ESTA process is exactly the same as the adults along with all the necessary documents related to the child.

One important thing to note here is that anyone below the age of 18 years is considered a child and will require an adult's assistance to complete the application process for them. For this, the adult must tick the option for this purpose on the application form and then make sure that every detail along with all the necessary documents is attached to the U.S. ESTA application form.

I Made a Mistake In My ESTA Application. Can I Fix It?

If you have made a mistake in any of the details asked in the U.S. ESTA application, but have not submitted the same, you can change all the details that you want to change before submitting the application form. However, if you have paid the fees and submitted it, you can only change a few mistakes.

For others, you will have to submit a fresh U.S. ESTA application form. Below are the mistakes that require applicants to submit a fresh U.S. ESTA application:

  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Gender
  • City of Birth
  • Birthplace (the country you are born in)
  • Citizenship (the countries you have citizenship in)
  • Residence (the country you reside in)
  • Passport Issued
  • Date of Birth
  • Number Mentioned on Passport
  • Passport date of expiry
  • Passport date of issue

Make sure to apply for your U.S. ESTA application early so that you are prepared to tackle such issues if they arise.

Do I Need to Apply for a New ESTA Application If My Name Has Changed Due to Divorce?

In cases where the applicant has got their name changed or if they made a mistake while writing their name, you can easily change such information as long as you have not applied for review. It is advised that you fill out your U.S. ESTA application at least 3 days before your planned trip to the U.S.

If you have already submitted your application for review, you are still allowed to make changes in the following:

  • Destination (where you will visit in the U.S.)
  • City of Embarkation
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Your address in the U.S. (where you will stay in the U.S. during your trip)
  • Details of Flight

You are allowed to make changes to these details because they are not checked to make the final decision for approval by the U.S. ESTA.

My Old Passport with My Previous Name Is Still Valid. Do I Need to Apply for a New Passport with My New Name?

If your name has been changed since you got your passport issued, there is no need to apply for a new visa to apply for a U.S. ESTA if that old passport is still valid. In these cases, you will need to be transparent about this change and provide legal documents that prove that the documents you submit are related to you and that your name was changed legally.

For this, you can provide documents like marriage certificates, adoption papers, divorce papers, or any other legal document of such nature.

The U.S. is a great place for tourism due to its excellent musical culture, iconic places, and diverse landscape. From the Nevada Vegas Strip to the Statue of Liberty in New York, there is no shortage of places in the U.S. for tourists to explore.

So, if you wish to visit the U.S. and explore the many places within its territory, start by applying for your U.S. ESTA early and start booking your reservations early. During the holiday season, the U.S. authorities get tons of ESTA applications which leads to a lot of delays in the ESTA approval process.

Getting reservations in the U.S. is very difficult, especially during the holiday season which leads to reservations becoming full very quickly.

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The United States of America has different categories of visas for people from various countries to apply for when they plan a visit. Some nationalities are eligible for visa waivers under a visa waiver program (VWP). At the same time, some need to appear for an interview for their U.S. visa process in person, while some are eligible to process their visa application online. Learn more at Visa-Free Travel to the US for Eligible Citizens.

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