EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ESTA VALIDITY

Millions of travelers take advantage of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization(ESTA) every year. The USA is not part of the Schengen area, so you need a valid ESTA visa or travel authorization. Otherwise, you will not be authorized to enter the United States.

HOW TO CHECK THE VALIDITY OF THE ESTA?

First and foremost, the validity of your ESTA authorization is linked to your passport. When you apply for an ESTA via the online form, you’ll need to fill in the information on the form, and your ESTA authorization will be linked to your passport number. It should also be noted that any change in the information declared on the ESTA form is also likely to invalidate your ESTA:

You have moved to a different country;
Your state of health has changed;
Your criminal record is no longer clean;
Your home address is no longer up to date;
Your passport is no longer valid;
Etc.

If this is your case, you must renew your ESTA in order to continue to benefit from its two-year validity, as set by the Department of Homeland Security. All ESTA holders can then undertake several consecutive 90-day trips for tourism or business purposes.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ESTA VALIDITY?

The ESTA owes its success to the fact that the process is carried out solely online: no need to go to an embassy or consulate, no need to wait weeks, no need to attend an interview, and above all, no need to pay hundreds of euros! The ESTA application fee is $14. Another advantage is that it is valid for two years, allowing you to undertake the following activities in the United States:

Participate in unpaid cultural activities;
Camping in national parks;
Volunteering for charities;
Negotiating contracts with American companies;
Participate in professional meetings;
Take unpaid courses or courses that do not offer credits towards university degrees;
Etc.

To make an ESTA declaration, you must first be a national of one of the 38 countries in the Visa Waiver Program, and go to the U.S. Customs website or fill in our simplified form in French. You can also call on our online assistance service 6 days a week.

Note: when the validity of your ESTA expires, it is not automatically renewed, so you will need to reapply.