How to apply for ESTA easily and accurately
If you are planning a trip to the United States, the very first procedure you must check is the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application. ESTA is an electronic pre-screening system required for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries when entering the United States for tourism, business trips, or transit. Since approval is required to board a flight bound for the United States, accurate information entry and confirmation of validity are extremely important. Below is a step-by-step guide to the most precise and efficient ESTA application method so that even first-time applicants can easily follow the process.
What is ESTA?
ESTA is an online screening procedure that allows nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries to stay in the United States visa-free for up to 90 days. Once approved, the validity period is two years, and during this period, travelers may visit the United States multiple times.
However, even if ESTA is approved, entry is not always guaranteed, and entry may be denied depending on the judgment of U.S. national security authorities. Therefore, it is very important to enter information accurately from the application stage to minimize errors.
Information to prepare before applying for ESTA
Before you begin your ESTA application, checking the following information in advance will make the procedure much faster.
- Electronic passport (e-Passport) information
- Name spelled in English exactly as shown in the passport
- Contact information, address, and travel itinerary
- A card that can be used for payment
- U.S. accommodation information (optional but recommended)
You must also check whether your passport expiration date is sufficiently valid for your travel schedule and ensure that there are no spelling errors in the English information.
How to apply for ESTA
1. Start the application on ETAPORTAL
Because it is important to proceed without errors at every step, many travelers apply for ESTA through ETAPORTAL.
- Structured to help you easily understand complicated items
- Minimizes errors in passport and application information
- Guides you to enter only the necessary items accurately
In particular, once ESTA is denied, reapplication becomes very difficult, and negative records may remain and affect entry screening in the long term. Therefore, applying accurately from the beginning is more important than anything else.
ETAPORTAL helps reduce incorrect entries in advance and increases the likelihood of approval.
2. Enter personal information
Enter essential information such as passport number, date of birth, nationality, and contact details.
Since a simple typo at this stage can lead to immediate denial, it is necessary to check each letter carefully.
3. Enter travel information
This includes flight number, city of stay, and accommodation information.
Although it is not necessary to fill in every item, entering more information helps the screening process proceed more smoothly.
4. Proceed with payment and complete submission
After completing the application form, you will proceed to the payment step, and the application is officially submitted only after the payment is completed.
5. Check ESTA application status
ESTA results usually come out within a few minutes or a few hours, but depending on the situation, it may take up to 72 hours.
The screening results can be checked as one of the following:
- Payment Completed : Application submitted
- Under Review : Application information review and ESTA submission completed (cannot be modified)
- Reviewed : ESTA application under review by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cannot be modified)
- Approval
- Reject
Each stage indicates the processing status of the application, and especially during the Under Review or Reviewed stage, no information can be modified.
If the application is rejected, reapplication becomes very difficult, so it is important to complete the application carefully from the beginning without errors.
Once approved, the authorization is automatically linked to your passport, so printing is not necessary, but it is helpful to save it as a reference.
Key points to remember when applying for ESTA
- You must apply at least 72 hours before your trip.
- Typos in the passport number or name will result in denial.
- If you receive a new passport, you must apply for a new ESTA.
- Do not enter any information that is false, such as criminal history or prior overstays.
ESTA is not just a simple permit but a screening process conducted before entering the United States, so all information must be accurate.
Why apply through ETAPORTAL?
- The application flow is structured in an easy-to-understand format
- Checks for error entries or missing items in advance, reducing the risk of denial
- An application form that even beginners can complete
- Manages application results and progress notifications in one place
Considering that reapplication is practically difficult once denied, it is best to handle everything safely from the first application.
The first step to traveling to the United States is an accurate ESTA application.
By carefully checking passport information and personal details and applying without mistakes, you can increase your chances of approval.
ETAPORTAL makes this process even more convenient and safe, which is why many travelers choose it.
If you are preparing for a trip to the United States, apply for ESTA now and begin your journey comfortably.