Important Things You Need to Know About USA E-Visa
Several people from different parts of the world make searches that relate to the USA E-Visa. The United States is a land of opportunities, so it’s no surprise that millions of individuals are making this search.
Perhaps you also fall into this category, there is nothing to worry about as this article packs all the necessary information that will feed your curiosity. You can also check out E-Visa-USA to learn more.
As a Non-US citizen, are you qualified?
For some pertinent reasons known to the US Government, foreign nationals are not eligible for the electronic visas for USA travel. However, all hope is not lost: you still have another form of “electronic authorization” for US travels – the ESTA.
What is ESTA?
ESTA simply stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It exists to supplement the unavailable electronic visa for travel to the United States.
Rather than ESTA being treated as an electronic visa, it is considered as an electronic visa waiver. It can be used by tourists, business people and for transit purposes by qualified individuals who bear a passport from the 38 waiver countries.
How ESTA works
ESTA only allows the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) systems to screen travelers before their departure to the United States. Travelers’ passport and other application information will be transferred onto the CBP systems. People with an approved ESTA will digitally get cleared to travel to the United States.
The border authorities, at all point, are in charge of accessing all data entries that come into the CBP systems. ESTA helps to restrain travelers who pose security threats from boarding an aircraft or sea vessel that’s headed for the United States.
How long does it take to get authorized for ESTA?
Interested travelers can apply for an ESTA authorization online 24 hours a day. The website, on which ESTA applications are submitted, has a never-failing uptime and they rarely experience extended maintenance periods. You can apply at any time of the day.
After submission, it takes about only 60 seconds for ESTA application decisions to be made. Thus, it is safe to say that ESTA is a true e-travel authorization since it requires no physical forms or any form of documentation to obtain, apply or use.
Non-US citizens who are looking to use the E-Visa option for US travelers can only make do with ESTA for now.
It is uncertain that the United States will make the electronic application available for prominent visa types, such as the B-2 Tourist Visa, B-1 Business Visa or the C-1 Transit Visa since travelers have to go for an Embassy interview and extensive checks before visa issuance.
ESTA gives travelers adequate comfort to apply for their desired US Visa. They can take this step whether they would be doing business, going on tours or transiting through the US. It also provides CBP a hassle-free screening procedure to fish out travelers that pose a security or immigration-related risk.
If you are looking to visit the United States soon and you want to go the electronic way, ESTA is the right choice to make.