ESTA application explained – visa waiver program
“If you come from a country with a very low visa violation rate, then you might be able to very easily visit the U.S. on an ESTA without any visa at all.“
— Brian D. Lerner, Immigration Attorney
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
If you are inadmissible on other grounds, then you will not be able to get the ESTA and should apply for a regular visa and a Waiver if necessary.
You must be a citizen or national of the to be eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP.
There are many countries around the world that qualify and you just need ask your Consulate.
In order to travel without a visa on the VWP,
you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S. bound air or sea carrier.
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States.
In addition, you must have an e-passport to use the VWP.
An e-passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip.
You can readily identify an e-passport, by a symbol on the cover.