Since April 1, 2016, all European nationals can travel to the United States without a USA visa, for tourist or business trips lasting less than 90 days, as long as they are in possession of an ESTA, i.e. an electronic travel authorization (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This authorization allows European nationals to be exempted from US visa requirements, by being added directly to their electronic or biometric passport.
ESTA USA is part of theVisa Waiver Program, which facilitates access to the USA for all nationals of partner countries. If you are a citizen of a Schengen member state, you can apply for an ESTA directly with us, and be exempt from the USA visa requirement. As the ESTA is an electronic travel authorization, the entire process is carried out online. You won't have to go to the American consulate in your country of residence to apply for an ESTA USA.
Do I need a visa to go to the United States?
If you're a European national, you don't need a USA visa to enter the United States. All you need to do is present an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to the U.S. authorities on arrival. You'll also need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure from the United States. Passports expiring earlier than 6 months can be accepted, but the length of stay may be adjusted by the immigration officer to match the passport's expiration date.
You can only apply for an ESTA USA if you have an electronic or biometric passport. If this is not the case, you will need to apply for a USA visa from the American diplomatic or consular authorities in your country of residence.
The ESTA USA is reserved for nationals of many countries who do not require a visa. This authorization allows you to enter the United States for a tourist or business stay of less than 90 days. Your ESTA will also allow you to transit through the international zone of an American airport for several hours. Valid for 2 years, or until the expiry date of your passport, the ESTA will allow you to make multiple entries into the United States, up to the 90-day limit defined by the Electronic Travel Authorization.
The nationalities eligible to apply for ESTA USA are determined by theVisa Waiver Program. The countries concerned are as follows: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom.
⚠️ If you've been to Iran since 2011 or Cuba since 2021, you won't be eligible for ESTA, even if you're a national of a Schengen member country.
What are the different types of visa for the United States?
If you are not a citizen of an eligible nationality, or if you wish to stay in the United States for more than 3 months (work, internship, study, family reunion), you will need to obtain a USA visa from the American embassy in your country of residence. The USA visa is divided into Non-Immigrant and Immigrant visas.
Non-Immigrant visas allow you to stay in the United States only temporarily. These visas are intended for people who cannot apply for ESTA. They come in several sub-categories:
- B1 visa for tourism ;
- B2 visa for business ;
- F1 visa for studies ;
- J1 visa for internships.
If you wish to apply for residency in the United States for a minimum of 3 months, you will need to apply for Immigrant visas. These visas will enable you to subsequently apply for a permanent resident card (the Green Card). They are divided into two sub-categories:
- The H1B visa for working in a company;
- L1 visa to work in a subsidiary.
How do I obtain an ESTA for the United States?
The ESTA USA can only be obtained online. You can apply on our website, by filling in the application form we provide. To make your USA e-visa request effective, you'll need to enter the following information on the form:
- Biometric data from your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure from the United States;
- Details of your local accommodation (name of hotel or relative, address, telephone number);
- Emergency contact details (surname, first name, telephone number, e-mail address);
- Employment information (company name, position held, address, telephone number) to prove that you do not wish to relocate to the United States;
- First and last names of your parents;
- Your currentaddress;
- Your telephonenumber ;
- The reason for your temporary stay.
Providing this information will enable you to finalize your USA e-visa application. We'll take care of transmitting this information to the American authorities, so that you can receive your ESTA as quickly as possible. We also recommend that you update the information in your ESTA file between each new trip to the USA, to ensure that your ESTA remains compliant throughout its validity period.
As of June 2023, the USA has also introduced a mobile app for submitting applications. Beware though, bad experiences have been reported by travelers, notably about the quality of the passport scanner and the optional and intrusive request to take a selfie that isn't asked for on the classic form.
What are the criteria for obtaining an e-visa for the United States?
The criteria for obtaining an electronic travel authorization (ESTA USA) for the United States are as follows:
- Be in possession of a valid biometric passport, valid for up to 6 months after the date of your planned return;
- Be a national of a member state of theVisa Waiver Program;
- Staying less than 3 months in the United States ;
- Round-trip airline tickets;
- Do not violate U.S. law;
- On-site accommodation.
How much does an ESTA for the United States cost?
The price of an e-visa for the United States includes the consular fees set by the American government ($21, or €19), plus our service fee for processing your ESTA application and transmitting it to the American authorities. You will find an indicative price list on our website, which will give you an idea of the cost of your e-visa before you start the application procedure.
How long does it take to obtain an ESTA for the United States?
The time required to obtain a USA e-visa is generally very short, as the entire procedure is paperless. Under normal circumstances, you can obtain your ESTA in 72 hours, but we advise you to start the process at least one week before your actual departure. This will ensure that you receive your USA e-visa on time.
How can I extend a visa for the United States?
You can extend the validity of your electronic travel authorization directly with the US authorities, by converting your stay to a local visa. However, we recommend that you contact the relevant authorities at least 30 days before your ESTA expires.
