Your trip to the United States of America is just around the corner. So you’re getting ready to determine the overall budget for your trip in order to set limits and get an idea of how much your stay in the USA will cost. Airline tickets, accommodation, insurance and activities are all included… But that’s not all! Since you’re leaving the Schengen area, it won’t be enough to carry around an identity card – you’ll need a valid passport. For a stay in the USA, you need a travel authorization (visa or ESTA). There is a charge for this travel authorization, and we’ll concentrate here on the cost of obtaining an ESTA.
How much does ESTA cost? Why do I have to pay for a digital document? Our experts answer your questions.
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Why do I have to pay for ESTA authorization?
It’s true that we might expect an electronic form to be free of charge. In fact, ESTA was free when it was first introduced.
The ESTA application is based on an online form. The ESTA form uses electronic systems to determine your eligibility when you apply, by corroborating the information on your form with that in your passport. Once obtained, the ESTA is then linked to your passport number, and its validity can be matched to the validity of your passport, without exceeding 2 years.
The ESTA fee includes the cost of processing the application, but also contributes to the promotion of US tourism abroad.
How much does it cost to obtain an ESTA?
ESTA fees are not excessive, and are clearly lower than the cost of a USA visa. The price of an ESTA obtained from the official U.S. government website is $21. An application made on a private site, however, will be more expensive, due to the service provided (verification of the application form before validation, provision of customer service, etc.).
If you are renewing your ESTA or applying for a new ESTA because of a new passport or a major change in your personal circumstances, please note that the cost of the ESTA is the same as for your first application. The price of the ESTA, set by the American authorities, does not vary.
Please note that if your ESTA application is rejected, you will not be asked to pay $21. You will, however, be required to pay a $4 processing fee. To avoid paying this fee, make sure you are eligible for ESTA.
How to get ESTA right the first time and avoid extra costs?
To avoid having to pay the ESTA fee again following a refusal, we advise you to take your time before filling in the form, and to make sure that you meet the ESTA admission criteria:
- a valid passport that meets U.S. government requirements, i.e. a biometric or electronic passport;
- be a national of a country that has signed the Visa Waiver Program (VWP);
- plan a temporary stay of up to 90 days;
- arrive by air or sea, aboard a company recognized by the U.S. authorities;
- travel to the USA for tourism, business or transit;
- meet the expectations of American authorities regarding your state of health, your criminal record, your past travels to so-called high-risk countries, etc.
If you’re sure you’re eligible, make sure you request your authorization no later than 72 hours before departure, which is the maximum response time from the authorities. Without a travel authorization, you will not be able to enter the U.S., and no exceptions will be made, as entry to the U.S. is a key aspect of homeland security.
Be careful when filling in the form. It’s not uncommon for a typing error to cost you your ESTA. If you have any doubts, remember that you can use a private website to check the form before validating it.
If you are unable to obtain ESTA authorization, you can apply for a visa through the consular services of the American embassy. As mentioned, a USA visa costs much more than ESTA, but may be your only option for your trip to the USA.