What is the ESTA?
Hello, this is Matsui of IMS. We have been receiving more and more inquiries about U.S. visas since the summer. One essential for trips to the U.S. is ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Since most people traveling to the U.S. use ESTA, in this post, I will be explaining the ESTA program in quiz format!
Which of the following is true?
- ESTA is a type of U.S. visa.
- ESTA is a privilege reserved for Japanese people and cannot be used by those of other nationalities.
- You can apply for ESTA when you check in at your airport of departure without any issue.
- The fee for ESTA is 7,700 yen.
- If a mistake is made filling out your ESTA application, you can correct it by contacting the U.S. Embassy, provided that the application is for a child.
- ESTA is valid for two years, but if your passport is valid for a shorter period of time, you will need to bring both your old and new passports with you when you travel to the U.S.
- The purpose of travel permitted under ESTA is limited to sightseeing.
- The period of stay permitted under ESTA is three months.
- If you enter the U.S. under ESTA, you are not permitted to apply for an extension of stay.
- If you have a valid ESTA, even if your responses to the ESTA eligibility questions have changed since your last application (e.g., you were arrested, you traveled to Iran), you can use the ESTA until its expiration date.
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How did you do?
The answer is 9. If you were correct, you will not encounter any issues with the ESTA.
Now, let me explain each option one by one.
1. ESTA is a type of U.S. visa.
⇒ False. The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is not a visa. It is an electronic travel authorization system required by the U.S. used to pre-screen travelers who are permitted to enter the U.S. visa-free.
2. ESTA is a privilege reserved for Japanese people and cannot be used by those of other nationalities.
⇒ False. The ESTA is available to nationals of 40 countries as of August 2022. This is a measure provided by the Visa Waiver Program.
3. You can apply for ESTA when you check in at your airport of departure without any issue.
⇒ False. Although it used to be approved immediately after application, now it often takes 1-2 days to be approved. The U.S. strongly recommends that you apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure date, but we recommend that you apply at least one month prior to your departure date in case your ESTA is not approved and have no choice but to apply for a visa.
4. The fee for ESTA is 7,700 yen.
⇒ False. The fee is 21 USD. (approx. 2,900 yen)
5. If a mistake is made filling out your ESTA application, you can correct it by contacting the U.S. Embassy, provided that the application is for a child.
⇒ False. No corrections can be made at the embassy or consulate. If you contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), they may be able to correct (reset) it for infants. For adults, even if it is just a mistake, they will not correct it and you will be asked to apply for a visa.
6. ESTA is valid for two years, but if your passport is valid for a shorter period of time, you will need to bring both your old and new passports with you when you travel to the U.S.
⇒ False. If your passport is valid for less than 2 years when you obtain ESTA, the validity of ESTA will also be until the expiration date of your passport. Please re-apply for ESTA after obtaining a new passport.
7. The purpose of travel permitted under ESTA is limited to sightseeing.
⇒ False. ESTA can be mainly used for tourism or short-term business purposes.
8. The period of stay permitted under ESTA is three months.
⇒ False. The maximum period of stay is 90 days. Please note that 3 months is not equivalent to 90 days.
9. If you enter the U.S. under ESTA, you are not permitted to apply for an extension of stay.
⇒ TRUE. When you travel under ESTA, you are not permitted to extend your period of stay or change your visa status.
10. If you have a valid ESTA, even if your responses to the ESTA eligibility questions have changed since your last application (e.g., you were arrested, you traveled to Iran), you can use the ESTA until its expiration date.
⇒ False. If there is a change in name, gender, or nationality, or if the answers to the eligibility questions from the last time you applied for ESTA change, you must reapply.
If you do not have a U.S. green card or visa, the ESTA is an unavoidable requirement if you intend to visit the U.S. Make sure you understand the nature of ESTA and apply for it carefully.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
