ESTa Travel permit online application
ESTA-application USA
Apply for an ESTA travel authorization
There are 2 ways for a New Zealand citizen to enter the United States for tourism or business:
- Under the USA Visa Waiver Program (VWP): ESTA Mandatory
- With a U.S. Visitor Visa, such as a B-1 Business Visa or a B-2 Tourist Visa
ESTA travel visa application in three easy steps:
Step 1
Start Online ESTA Application
Step 2
Make Online Payment
Step 3
Receive ESTA By Email
ESTA Visa Application Online: What is it?
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an application system for all travelers from US Visa Waiver Countries to enter the United States without a visa. This serves as a visa waiver for qualified travelers who otherwise would need to stand in large queues at the border control. Most importantly, ESTA serves as a protection against illegal migrationand various criminal activities. Approved ESTA APPLICATIONS are valid for a period of two years unless the passport expires earlier. When traveling to the U.S. with an approved ESTA travel authorization, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days at a time. Exceeding this allowed stay time would result in a breach of the visa requirements leading to deportation from the United States.
How long is an approved ESTA application valid?
Citizens of eligible countries will generally receive an approved ESTA application that is valid for two years. Depending on the purpose of the trip, as well as the duration, travelers may qualify for a US visa or ESTA visa waiver. Short-term visitors to the US (those staying for less than 90 days) can simply apply for the authorization without going through the tedious process of a visa application.
Remember, however, that the ESTA only grants eligibility to travel visa-free. Getting an ESTA approval does not automatically guarantee entry to the United States. Whether you are allowed to cross the border or not is still determined by the immigration officer in your port of entry.
Requirements to apply for ESTA USA online
The requirements for ESTA are fewer compared to the visa application process. You only need the completed online application form, a machine-readable biometric passport, and a credit card for the processing and payment of your application submission.
In contrast to USA visa requirements, travelers from ESTA-eligible countries do not need to present their hotel and flight reservations, provide proof of sufficient funds, or attend an interview at the US embassy. Other details of the travel itinerary can be finalized upon approval of authorization or at any point before departure.
USA ESTA Eligibility Test
Only citizens of USA Visa Waiver Countries are allowed to apply for ESTA. It is important to know if you are qualified for ESTA before you even submit your online application. Furthermore, if your travel purpose differs from those listed on ESTA eligibility criteria, you would need to instead apply for the visa. ESTA allows for travel for up to 90 days mainly for leisure, business, and transit purposes.
The ESTA application system is entirely online. There are no forms that need to be printed and you do not have to go to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in person. ESTA approval will be electronically linked to your passport so that immigration officers can see your application status by simply checking your passport within the database. Find out if you are qualified to use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
How does the US ESTA system check your information?
It is crucial to provide correct and up-to-date information when filling out the ESTA application online. ESTA is connected to multiple security databases that can double-check the information provided within a few minutes. These databases include all your personal details, past travel history, any criminal records associated with the applicant, previous breaches in travel regulations, etc. ... If the system detects any piece of information that mismatches whatever the databases provide your application will be rejected. Hence, you need to make sure that you are not misspelling your personal details, address, contact information, etc. Also, double-check that your name and surname are spelled exactly the same as provided on your passport. Additionally, travelers need to be aware of their passport expiry dates. Your passport should have a validity of up to 6 months after entering the United States otherwise it could again result in ESTA rejection.
Read MoreWhen do you need to apply for US ESTA for traveling from New Zealand?
You need to apply for ESTA a few weeks prior to traveling to the United States. Despite the fact that the ESTA electronic system provides feedback on applications much faster than regular visa processing takes, it is recommended to apply much earlier for several reasons. ... First of all, you may have made a mistake when filling out your ESTA application, which could result in either rejection or the need to update the application. It would take some time to reapply for the visa waiver. Hence, you need to have time enough for dealing with any obstacles that may appear. Secondly, in case your application is not sufficient to grant you travel authorization to the United States, you could be asked for additional supporting documents or even an interview. This may also take much more time than a standard ESTA approval scenario. Finally, in certain cases, ESTA applications are processed manually. It happens when there is a hit to ESTA electronic system and immigration officers or travel officials have to interfere. Manual processing may take anywhere from 1 to 7 days.
Read MoreWho needs ESTA travel authorization?
The citizens of the Visa Exempt Countries to the United States who intend to travel short-term need to apply for ESTA. This includes children and minors, as well. The application for the minors should be completed by a parent or the legal guardian and may require additional information regarding the travel. ... Travelers with dual citizenship need to make sure that they are applying with the eligible passport which is issued by any of the visa-exempt countries. If an applicant completes the ESTA form with a passport issued by a non-qualifying country the application will be rejected. In case a traveler intends to travel short-term to the United States, however, is not a citizen of the ESTA eligible country they need to apply for a US travel visa. USA visa is not the same as ESTA and these two have very different application procedures. In contrast to ESTA, visa applications require a lot of documents including travel itinerary, flight and hotel reservations, proof of sufficient funds, criminal records, medical and travel insurance, etc. Furthermore, applicants have to go through a not-so-easy interview with immigration officials at the United States embassy.
Read MoreESTA Application USA - Apply Online for your ESTA Travel Authorization
New Zealand is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific region that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) of the United States of America (USA). The Visa Waiver Program grants eligibility to nationals and passport-holders of these select countries to travel to the US without a travel visa. Instead of a tourist visa, New Zealand citizens simply need to obtain a travel authorization online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
How does the US ESTA system check your information?
It is crucial to provide correct and up-to-date information when filling out the ESTA application online. ESTA is connected to multiple security databases that ... can double-check the information provided within a few minutes. These databases include all your personal details, past travel history, any criminal records associated with the applicant, previous breaches in travel regulations, etc. If the system detects any piece of information that mismatches whatever the databases provide your application will be rejected. Hence, you need to make sure that you are not misspelling your personal details, address, contact information, etc. Also, double-check that your name and surname are spelled exactly the same as provided on your passport. Additionally, travelers need to be aware of their passport expiry dates. Your passport should have a validity of up to 6 months after entering the United States otherwise it could again result in ESTA rejection.
Read MoreWhen do you need to apply for US ESTA for traveling from New Zealand?
You need to apply for ESTA a few weeks prior to traveling to the United States. Despite the fact that the ESTA electronic system provides feedback on applications much ... faster than regular visa processing takes, it is recommended to apply much earlier for several reasons. First of all, you may have made a mistake when filling out your ESTA application, which could result in either rejection or the need to update the application. It would take some time to reapply for the visa waiver. Hence, you need to have time enough for dealing with any obstacles that may appear. Secondly, in case your application is not sufficient to grant you travel authorization to the United States, you could be asked for additional supporting documents or even an interview. This may also take much more time than a standard ESTA approval scenario. Finally, in certain cases, ESTA applications are processed manually. It happens when there is a hit to ESTA electronic system and immigration officers or travel officials have to interfere. Manual processing may take anywhere from 1 to 7 days.
Read MoreWho needs ESTA travel authorization?
The citizens of the Visa Exempt Countries to the United States who intend to travel short-term need to apply for ESTA. This includes children and minors, as well. The application for the minors should be completed by a parent or the legal guardian and may require additional information. ... regarding the travel. Travelers with dual citizenship need to make sure that they are applying with the eligible passport which is issued by any of the visa-exempt countries. If an applicant completes the ESTA form with a passport issued by a non-qualifying country the application will be rejected. In case a traveler intends to travel short-term to the United States, however, is not a citizen of the ESTA eligible country they need to apply for a US travel visa. USA visa is not the same as ESTA and these two have very different application procedures. In contrast to ESTA, visa applications require a lot of documents including travel itinerary, flight and hotel reservations, proof of sufficient funds, criminal records, medical and travel insurance, etc. Furthermore, applicants have to go through a not-so-easy interview with immigration officials at the United States embassy.
Read MoreESTA Application USA - Apply Online for your ESTA Travel Authorization
New Zealand is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific region that is part of the Visa Waiver ... Program (VWP) of the United States of America (USA). The Visa Waiver Program grants eligibility to nationals and passport-holders of these select countries to travel to the US without a travel visa. Instead of a tourist visa, New Zealand citizens simply need to obtain a travel authorization online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Read MoreFind more about ESTA related topics:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Reach out to our customer support team.
Do I need to submit my specific travel plans?
Specific travel plans are not mandatory at the time of ESTA application.
What information do I need in order to submit an ESTA application?
You will need to provide each traveler’s name, address, date of birth, passport information, and answer some additional information.
What is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
It is an official program of the U.S. government that allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.