When traveling to the United States, one of the great advantages for passengers who have
dual citizenship
(Italian or Spanish, for example) and, therefore, have a European passport, is that they do not need to apply for a visitor visa. for tourism or business (B1/B2) to enter the United States.
To enter,
Argentine travelers who have a
valid European passport must submit the application called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), that is, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
A
permit
that
is processed online
prior to starting the trip on the website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
What is the ESTA travel permit for?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system used to determine which visitors can travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization cross-checks and
verifies the information
in the data banks of the competent authorities.
Therefore, travelers who plan to travel to the United States with a European passport - that is, under the Visa Waiver Program - must
obtain an electronic travel authorization
before boarding the plane.
Home screen to process the ESTA.
Capture official site
The system provides an automatic response, but an operator will electronically verify with the United States Customs and Border Protection that the person actually has the
approved and registered
travel authorization .
Requirements to request ESTA
It must be taken into account that the
European passport must be biometric or electronic
(with a chip).
This requirement was incorporated at the beginning of 2016.
The requirements to apply for ESTA are:
Passport.
Have a valid and current passport from a country that is within the Visa Waiver Program.
To give you an idea, Italy, Spain and most European countries are on the list.
Argentines who have a European passport can enter by processing the ESTA.
Personal information.
Complete the personal information.
Contacts.
Enter email address, address and telephone number, as well as the telephone number of an emergency contact for the traveler.
The approximate average time to complete the application is estimated at less than 25 minutes.
You must also
attach your passport photo.
Fees: how much does ESTA cost
The ESTA application costs US$21 per person.
You can pay with credit cards and PayPal.
The approval of the ESTA will be carried out within 72 hours of starting the process.
Planes at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Photo Reuter
How long does ESTA last?
Approved applications are
valid for 2 years
or until passport expiration, whichever comes first.
Therefore, travelers whose ESTA applications are approved, but whose passports expire in less than two years, will receive an ESTA authorization only valid until the expiration date of the passport.
The same permit allows
multiple trips to the United States
without the traveler having to request an ESTA authorization each time they travel.
To keep in mind: the traveler can only stay a maximum of
up to 90 days on each trip
.
Flight schedule board at San Francisco airport.
Photo EFE/EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
How long before traveling do you have to get the ESTA?
The application to obtain the ESTA must be made at least 72 hours before departure.
Travelers who do not have approval at the time of check-in at the airport will not be able to board.