The ESTA form is an official document required by the U.S. government to establish the profile of each individual wishing to enter the U.S. territory. It also enables the United States to ensure domestic security. To obtain this online form, you need to be a citizen of a country covered by the USA Visa Waiver Program, and wish to travel to the USA for a maximum of 90 days. Among the 38 countries covered by the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) are France and many other European countries. French nationals therefore have the chance to travel to the USA much more easily, provided the required criteria are met and the traveler complies with US security measures.
ESTA for French nationals
As mentioned above, French nationals can travel to the U.S. if they meet the eligibility requirements:
- have a biometric or electronic passport. If you don’t have one, please go to your local town hall to apply for one. If you do have one, check the validity of your French passport;
- Business travel, tourism or transit;
- The maximum stay must not exceed 90 days;
- Possession of a return or outbound ticket;
- Use an airline or shipping company recognized by the U.S. authorities.
The ESTA form is an official, mandatory document for residents of Visa Waiver Program countries wishing to travel to the USA. The French are among those who can take advantage of this opportunity and realize their American dream without the hassle of applying for an American visa.
To do this, the applicant must fill in a form that consists of several steps on the official U.S. government site and a few lines on a private site. It is on the basis of the information provided during the online application that travel authorization is granted or denied. This information will be used to determine the applicant’s eligibility for the program. Filling in a form can be stressful, even more so when it’s not in your own language. You can apply for ESTA in French on the U.S. government website, or on a specialized private site.
Good to know: don’t confuse the ESTA with a visa, which is issued by the American embassy.
What answers should I provide when filling in the ESTA France application form?
Filling out an ESTA form is more or less straightforward, depending on the site where you choose to apply for your document. As a result, you need to answer all the questions asked on the site as honestly as possible. The information you need to provide is your identity, which includes your name, date of birth and passport number. Next, you need to provide information about your trip, such as your destination address.
In addition, in order to determine your admission to the United States, you will be asked personal questions about contagious diseases contracted in the past and the number of arrests and convictions.
How much does it cost to complete the ESTA?
Since 2010, the authorization form has been subject to a fee. You can fill in your ESTA authorization form on the U.S. authorities’ website or on a private website. The cost of obtaining the document varies according to the type of request. By paying for this authorization, you will be able to use it for the full duration of its validity, i.e. two years.
The ESTA USA document is a nominative authorization, so if you’re traveling in a group, each person must have his or her own permission to enter the USA.
Once you’ve received your authorization, you can finally plan your adventure. You don’t need to print out your ESTA for customs clearance, as agents use electronic systems to obtain your permission. We hope you enjoy your trip to the USA!
