Do you need an ESTA authorization to travel to the US?
esta-official.co.uk provides you with the necessary follow up and guidance in order to help you go easily through your us visa application ESTA request process. We make sure that you avoid any mistake that might influence the processing time of your authorization; therefore the preparation of your next trip to the United States is simple, easy and pleasant. We are at your disposal to answer all your questions.
What is ESTA?
Citizens of the countries targeted by the US Visa Waiver Program can travel to the United States without a us visa application but will need an approved authorization before their departure.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a procedure for determining the eligibility of visitors who want to travel to the United States on a trip that doesn’t represent a risk to internal security.
- We recommend that you apply for ESTA at any time but at least 72 hours before your trip to the US. Generally speaking, you will receive a response to your ESTA request within minutes.
It is important to know that ESTA is not a visa. The ESTA procedure and the ESTA price are different fom those of the us visa application.
In case the validity of the passport expires before the end of the 2-year period, you should apply for a new ESTA authorization with the new passport if you have travel plans to the US.
You must also apply for a new ESTA if you change your passport, name, gender, nationality or status.
For more information, visit our section “Your questions”.
American Visa, the different categories
The United States of America is a country with several visa categories depending on the reason for the visit and its duration, the most requested types of non-immigrant visas are:
B1 Visa: This is a temporary/non-immigrant American visa that allows visitors to enter the United States for business purposes; it is valid for up to six months and can be renewed once for a maximum period of six months. The types of activities covered by the US B1 visa include:
- Consultation with clients or business partners.
- Conferences, seminars or congresses.
- Participation in negotiations or legal proceedings.
- Conduct research.
B2 visa: This is an American visitor visa that allows you to enter the United States for tourism, pleasure or to visit your friends or family. Holders of a B2 American tourist visa can engage in the following activities:
- Holiday in the United States.
- Tour in different cities in the United States.
- Visiting your friends or family.
- Participation in social activities organized by various organizations.
- Visiting the United States for medical treatment.
- Participation in events or contests related to music or sport, for which you will not receive payment.
- Enroll in short-term study courses for which you will not receive credits (e.g., cooking courses).
C1 visa: This is an American visa reserved for immediate and continuous transit through the United States to a foreign country; the maximum period of stay is 29 days and interviews are not required for people under 13 or over 80 years old.
F1 visa: This is a full-time student visa issued to international students who are enrolled in an academic or English program at an American university or college. To obtain this visa, the student must maintain the minimum course load to obtain full-time student status.
You will need to contact the U.S. Embassy to prepare the application for your visa.
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