ESTA to transit through the United States

An ESTA is an electronic travel authorization for travel to the United States without the need for a U.S. tourist visa or a transit visa in the case of a stopover. Introduced in 2009, this process allows the U.S. government to verify the identity of passengers beforehand. For a simple transit through the United States, it is not necessary to obtain a USA transit visa. You only need to complete the formalities for entry into the United States before arriving in the USA.

To obtain your certificate in a few minutes click on the online form.

What is an ESTA for transit to the United States?

When ESTA was introduced, the message from the U.S. government was clear: the purpose of the system is to limit the security risks to the U.S. territory as much as possible. As well as holidaymakers and businessmen, regardless of the project, travelers who need to make a stopover in the USA are obliged to submit an application for ESTA transit authorization provided they are citizens of one of the VWP participating countries.

Although ESTA was designed for travelers wishing to stay in the United States for up to 90 days, it is still a screening tool that allows immigration officials to identify individuals who pose a security risk to the country. For this reason, passengers transiting the United States must present a valid ESTA document when boarding a plane or ship bound for the United States.

How to obtain an ESTA transit USA?

If you plan to travel to the United States by air or sea, you will need to apply for an ESTA or a visa if you are not a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country. The ESTA transit application is done online on the Internet.

The only difference on the form is that the “U.S. address” must be entered as “Transit”. The rest of the procedure is the same and the form must be filled in as if it were a residence application. It is important to know that the authorization is not free. The cost of the application is invariable and in accordance with the current tariff. The ESTA is valid for two years from the date of issue, allowing all travelers to transit as many times as they wish during this period or until the end of the passport’s validity, in which case the ESTA must be updated.

Note: if you are refused, you will have to apply for a new ESTA or go to the embassy to apply for an American C visa and transit on American soil.

How much does an ESTA transit to the United States cost?

To obtain an ESTA for transit purposes, you must apply for one online via the Internet. This ESTA application is the same whether it is for a stopover or a longer stay in the USA. As part of this application, the traveler must pay the mandatory $21 fee by credit card to validate the application.